Andrew Lloyd Webber is a renowned English composer and impresario famous for his contributions to musical theatre. His impressive career boasts 21 musicals, including long-running hits on both Broadway and the West End, along with a diverse body of work encompassing a song cycle, variations, film scores, and a Latin Requiem Mass.
The Puccini estate alleged that Lloyd Webber's "The Music of the Night" bore resemblance to a melody in Giacomo Puccini's 1910 opera, La fanciulla del West. The matter was settled out of court.
Gaston Leroux's novel, The Phantom of the Opera, which would later inspire Andrew Lloyd Webber's acclaimed musical, was published in 1911.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's father, William Lloyd Webber, was born in 1914.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's mother, Jean Hermione Johnstone, was born in 1921.
Andrew Lloyd Webber was born in March 1948 in Kensington, London.
Andrew Lloyd Webber was born in March 1948.
The 2017 transfer of Sunset Boulevard to Broadway marked the first time since 1953 that a composer had four musicals running concurrently on Broadway. This achievement put Andrew Lloyd Webber in the same league as his idols, Rodgers and Hammerstein.
From 1960 to 1965, Andrew Lloyd Webber was a Queen's Scholar at Westminster School.
In 1963, Andrew Lloyd Webber became a part-time student at the Eric Gilder School of Music and began working on his Genghis Khan musical, "Westonia!".
Herbert Chappell's "The Daniel Jazz", an influence on "Joseph", was released in 1963.
In 1965, 17-year-old Andrew Lloyd Webber met Tim Rice, and they began collaborating on "The Likes of Us", a musical inspired by the story of Thomas John Barnardo.
Andrew Lloyd Webber composed "The Likes of Us" in 1965.
In 1966, Lloyd Webber and Rice created a demo tape for "The Likes of Us", but couldn't secure a backer.
Michael Hurd's "Jonah-Man Jazz", another influence on "Joseph", was released in 1966.
In 1967, Lloyd Webber and Rice were commissioned to write "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", a pop cantata for a school choir.
In 1969, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice wrote "Try It and See" for the Eurovision Song Contest, which was not selected. The song was later rewritten as "King Herod's Song" for their musical, Jesus Christ Superstar.
Jesus Christ Superstar, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's third musical, premiered in 1970. The musical, which included the song "King Herod's Song," went on to achieve global success.
Andrew Lloyd Webber married Sarah Hugill in July 1971.
Following its premiere, Jesus Christ Superstar debuted on Broadway in 1971. This marked a significant step in Lloyd Webber's career.
Similarities between the organ riff in Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera" and the song "Echoes" from Pink Floyd's 1971 album Meddle led to accusations of plagiarism. Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters acknowledged the resemblance but chose not to pursue legal action.
In a 1971 interview, Andrew Lloyd Webber described himself as an agnostic, while also expressing his view of Jesus as a significant historical figure.
"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" was adapted into a stage musical in 1972.
Jesus Christ Superstar began its run in London's West End in 1972. The production became a landmark achievement in musical theatre.
Following the success of "Jesus Christ Superstar", a two-hour production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" premiered in the West End in 1973.
The film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" premiered in 1973, directed by Norman Jewison.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, Jeeves, which he co-wrote with Alan Ayckbourn, premiered in the West End in 1975. Unfortunately, it was not well-received and closed after a short run.
In 1976, the concept album for Evita, featuring Julie Covington as Eva Perón, was released. The album included "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," which became a hit single.
Andrew Lloyd Webber collaborated with his brother, Julian, on "Variations," based on Paganini's 24th Caprice. The piece was used as the theme for ITV's South Bank Show and reached number two on the UK pop charts.
Evita, a musical based on the life of Eva Perón, premiered in 1978. This marked another successful collaboration between Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.
Evita's Broadway premiere took place in 1979, starring Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin. The production was a triumph, winning seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
Andrew Lloyd Webber was surprised and featured on the television program, This Is Your Life, in November 1980, marking his significant presence in British popular culture.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's theme tune for the documentary series Whicker's World, which he began composing in 1978, was used until 1980.
By 1980, Jesus Christ Superstar had grossed over $237 million worldwide, demonstrating its immense popularity and success.
Cats, based on T.S. Eliot's poetry, premiered in 1981. The musical went on to become the longest-running musical in London's history.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's father, William Lloyd Webber, passed away in 1982.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's father, William, passed away in 1982. This event inspired him to write his Requiem Mass.
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sarah Hugill divorced in November 1983.
Andrew Lloyd Webber married English soprano Sarah Brightman in March 1984.
Starlight Express premiered in 1984. Despite mixed reviews, it became a commercial success and the ninth longest-running West End show.
Dedicated to his father, William, who died in 1982, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Requiem Mass premiered in February 1985 in New York City.
Andrew Lloyd Webber received a Grammy Award for his Requiem in 1986, showcasing his impact on the classical music world.
Commissioned by Prince Edward, Cricket (also called Cricket (Hearts and Wickets)) premiered in 1986 for Queen Elizabeth II's 60th birthday celebration.
Inspired by Gaston Leroux's novel, The Phantom of the Opera premiered in 1986 with Sarah Brightman, Andrew Lloyd Webber's wife at the time, in the lead role.
The original production of "The Phantom of the Opera" premiered in 1986.
A custom-built theatre in Bochum, Germany, became the home of Starlight Express in 1988, where it continues to run today and holds a Guinness World Record.
Aspects of Love, based on David Garnett's story, premiered in 1989. Although it had a successful run in London, it closed after a year on Broadway.
In 1989, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats became the longest-running West End musical, surpassing the record previously held by Jesus Christ Superstar.
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sarah Brightman divorced in January 1990.
Andrew Lloyd Webber married Madeleine Gurdon in February 1991.
In 1992, Andrew Lloyd Webber demonstrated his commitment to philanthropy by founding the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting arts, culture, and heritage in the UK.
In 1992, Andrew Lloyd Webber founded the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation to support arts, culture, and heritage in the UK.
In recognition of his exceptional contributions to the arts, Andrew Lloyd Webber was knighted in the Queen's 1992 Birthday Honours.
Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Don Black, composed "Amigos Para Siempre — Friends for Life" for the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, performed by Sarah Brightman and José Carreras.
Andrew Lloyd Webber received a knighthood in 1992 for his contributions to the arts.
Andrew Lloyd Webber and his wife Madeleine established the Watership Down Stud in 1992.
In July 1993, Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical adaptation of "Sunset Boulevard," with lyrics co-written by Christopher Hampton and Don Black, premiered at the Adelphi Theatre in London.
Glenn Close first performed the role of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles in December 1993.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's mother, Jean Hermione Johnstone, passed away in 1993.
Adding to his 1980 appearance, Andrew Lloyd Webber was once again surprised and featured on This Is Your Life in November 1994, solidifying his prominent status in the entertainment world.
Glenn Close made her Broadway debut as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard in November 1994, winning a Tony Award for her performance the following year.
In 1994, "Sunset Boulevard" premiered on Broadway, achieving significant commercial success and setting a record for the largest advance ticket sales in Broadway history. The production also received critical acclaim, winning seven Tony Awards.
In 1995, Glenn Close received the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Norma Desmond in the Broadway production of Sunset Boulevard.
In 1995, Andrew Lloyd Webber began writing the "Matters of Taste" column for The Daily Telegraph, reviewing restaurants and hotels, a venture that continued until 2000.
After the lackluster reception of Jeeves, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Alan Ayckbourn revisited and reworked the musical, re-releasing it as By Jeeves in 1996. The new production was met with more success.
In 1996, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Madeleine Gurdon acquired the Kiltinan Castle Stud in County Tipperary, Ireland.
The cinematic rendition of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical "Evita", under the direction of Alan Parker, hit theaters in 1996.
Andrew Lloyd Webber was officially granted a life peerage and bestowed with the title of Baron Lloyd-Webber, of Sydmonton in the County of Hampshire, on February 18, 1997.
Andrew Lloyd Webber was granted a life peerage in 1997, signifying his service to the arts and his role as a representative of the Conservative Party.
Despite its initial success and critical acclaim, "Sunset Boulevard" closed on Broadway in 1997, failing to recoup its initial investment.
In 1998, Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical "Whistle Down the Wind," with lyrics by Jim Steinman, premiered in Washington, D.C., but underwent revisions for a subsequent London production directed by Gale Edwards.
The film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical "Cats," directed by David Mallet and choreographed by Gillian Lynne, was released in 1998, featuring a cast of notable performers from previous stage productions.
The year 1998 witnessed the release of a made-for-television film adaptation of "Cats", which was subsequently made available on DVD and VHS, and frequently broadcast on the BBC.
A made-for-television film adaptation of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" was produced in 1999, later released on DVD and VHS, and enjoyed regular airtime on the BBC.
In 2000, Andrew Lloyd Webber concluded his "Matters of Taste" column in The Daily Telegraph, which he had been writing since 1995, marking the end of his foray into restaurant and hotel reviewing.
The year 2000 saw the release of a made-for-television movie adaptation of "Jesus Christ Superstar". This rendition was distributed on DVD and VHS, and became a familiar presence on BBC broadcasts.
In 2001, "By Jeeves" was adapted into a made-for-television film, released on DVD and VHS, and made its way to regular screenings on the BBC.
In 2001, The New York Times called Andrew Lloyd Webber the most commercially successful composer in history.
In 2001, The New York Times dubbed Andrew Lloyd Webber as "the most commercially successful composer in history."
"Bombay Dreams," a musical produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber with music by A.R. Rahman and lyrics by Don Black, premiered in London in 2002 and ran for two years at the Apollo Victoria Theatre.
The musical "Bombay Dreams" was released in 2002.
In 2003, the Royal Academy showcased an exhibition featuring artworks from Andrew Lloyd Webber's collection. The exhibition was titled "Pre-Raphaelite and Other Masters – The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection".
"The Woman in White," a musical production by Andrew Lloyd Webber, premiered at the Palace Theatre in London in September 2004, enjoying a run of 19 months and 500 performances.
The year 2004 saw the release of the film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's renowned musical "The Phantom of the Opera". The film was directed by Joel Schumacher, with Lloyd Webber himself taking on a co-producer role.
"The Woman in White" opened on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre in November 2005.
"The Likes of Us" received its first public performance at Lloyd Webber's Sydmonton Festival in 2005.
Demonstrating his political allegiance, Andrew Lloyd Webber allowed his song "Take That Look Off Your Face" to be featured in a promotional film for the Conservative Party. This film, viewed by an estimated one million people, was released before the 2005 general election.
In January 2006, The Phantom of the Opera became the longest-running Broadway show, exceeding the record previously held by Cats.
"The Woman in White" closed on Broadway in February 2006, after a short run marked by mixed reviews and challenges related to the lead actress's health.
Andrew Lloyd Webber was named a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors in September 2006 for his significant contributions to American performing arts.
Andrew Lloyd Webber withdrew Pablo Picasso's "Portrait of Angel Fernández de Soto" from an auction in November 2006. This decision followed a claim suggesting the previous owner was forced to sell the painting under duress during the Nazi regime in Germany.
Andrew Lloyd Webber attended the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony in December 2006.
In 2006, Andrew Lloyd Webber was ranked the 87th-richest person in Britain by the Sunday Times Rich List, with an estimated fortune of £700 million.
Andrew Lloyd Webber revived the musical "The Sound of Music" at the London Palladium in 2006.
Andrew Lloyd Webber was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors in 2006.
Andrew Lloyd Webber appeared as a guest judge on the reality TV show "Grease: You're the One that I Want!" in February 2007.
Andrew Lloyd Webber participated in the Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium in July 2007, presenting excerpts from his musicals in tribute to the late Princess Diana.
BBC Radio 2 aired a concert featuring music from Andrew Lloyd Webber's musicals in August 2007.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's wealth saw an increase to £750 million in 2007.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's project, "The Master and Margarita," was abandoned in 2007.
"The Boys in the Photograph," a reworked version of Lloyd Webber's earlier musical "The Beautiful Game," premiered at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts in April 2008.
In April 2008, Andrew Lloyd Webber served as a judge on the BBC talent show "I'd Do Anything," searching for a new Nancy for "Oliver!," and mentored contestants on the U.S. show "American Idol."
Andrew Lloyd Webber received a Classic Brit Award in 2008 for his outstanding contribution to music.
In 2008, The Daily Telegraph named Andrew Lloyd Webber the fifth most powerful person in British culture, with lyricist Don Black stating that Lloyd Webber reinvented the musical.
In 2008, amateur performance rights for "The Likes of Us" were made available by NODA and the Really Useful Group.
In 2008, despite his increased wealth, Andrew Lloyd Webber's ranking on the Sunday Times Rich List dropped to 101st place.
Andrew Lloyd Webber launched his new musical "Love Never Dies," a sequel to "The Phantom of the Opera," at a press conference held at Her Majesty's Theatre in October 2009.
In late 2009, Andrew Lloyd Webber underwent surgery for early-stage prostate cancer but faced complications and required further hospitalization for a post-operative infection.
In 2009, Andrew Lloyd Webber composed the UK's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest, "It's My Time," performed by Jade Ewen, who had won the BBC talent show "Eurovision: Your Country Needs You." Lloyd Webber accompanied Ewen on piano during the contest, where they finished fifth.
Following its success in other locations, Starlight Express toured New Zealand in 2009 as part of a UK and international tour.
In January 2010, Andrew Lloyd Webber announced that he was free of prostate cancer after undergoing surgery and treatment for the disease.
In June 2010, Andrew Lloyd Webber successfully auctioned the "Portrait of Angel Fernández de Soto" painting for £34.7 million to an anonymous buyer over the phone.
In March 2011, Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of The Wizard of Oz premiered at The Palladium Theatre in London, starring Danielle Hope as Dorothy Gale and Michael Crawford as the Wizard.
A special performance of "The Phantom of the Opera" was staged at the Royal Albert Hall to commemorate its 25th anniversary in early October 2011. This remarkable event was broadcast live to cinemas.
The 25th-anniversary performance of "The Phantom of the Opera" was subsequently released on DVD and Blu-ray in February 2012.
The Phantom of the Opera celebrated its 10,000th performance on Broadway in February 2012, demonstrating its enduring popularity.
Tickets for most venues of the Jesus Christ Superstar arena tour went on sale in May 2012.
Andrew Lloyd Webber launched an arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar in September 2012, featuring a cast chosen through the ITV show "Superstar".
Andrew Lloyd Webber collaborated with Christopher Hampton and Don Black again in 2013 on the musical Stephen Ward.
The Andrew Lloyd Webber Programme was launched in 2013 to support the Music in Secondary Schools Trust (MiSST). This program aims to provide every child in participating UK schools with the opportunity to learn a musical instrument as part of their curriculum.
In August 2014, Andrew Lloyd Webber joined with 200 public figures in signing a letter to The Guardian expressing their opposition to Scottish independence in the lead-up to September's referendum.
Andrew Lloyd Webber designed a Paddington Bear statue themed after his musical "Cats" in 2014. The statue was placed in Chinatown, London, as part of a collection of 50 statues scattered throughout the city. These statues were later auctioned to raise funds for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).
Andrew Lloyd Webber faced criticism for his vote in the House of Lords in October 2015. He supported the government's proposal to cut tax credits, a decision that sparked controversy. Notably, he flew in from abroad on his private plane to participate in the vote, despite his limited voting record, which amplified the criticism.
By the end of 2015, Andrew Lloyd Webber had participated in only 33 votes during his time in the House of Lords.
In 2015, Andrew Lloyd Webber worked on a musical adaptation of the 2003 film School of Rock, holding auditions for young performers.
A semi-staged revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard, directed by Lonny Price and starring Glenn Close as Norma Desmond, opened at the London Coliseum in April 2016.
Following its success in London, the revival of Sunset Boulevard, with Glenn Close reprising her role, transferred to the Palace Theatre on Broadway in February 2017.
After serving as a Conservative member of the House of Lords, Andrew Lloyd Webber chose to retire from his parliamentary duties on October 17, 2017.
Citing the demanding schedule of Parliament, particularly with the impending Brexit legislation, Andrew Lloyd Webber announced his retirement from the House of Lords in October 2017. He explained that his busy schedule was incompatible with the responsibilities of the position.
Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice, and John Legend each won an Emmy Award in September 2018 for their work on Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert, making them EGOT winners.
In 2018, Andrew Lloyd Webber achieved EGOT status (winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) and received a Classic Brit Award for Musical Theatre and Education.
The song "Beautiful Ghosts", co-written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Taylor Swift for the film adaptation of Cats, was released in December 2019.
The Sunday Times Rich List of 2019 declared Andrew Lloyd Webber as the wealthiest musician in the UK, surpassing Paul McCartney, with a fortune of £820 million ($1.074 billion).
Tom Hooper directed the film version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical "Cats", released in 2019, with Lloyd Webber serving as executive producer.
In August 2020, Andrew Lloyd Webber publicly criticized the film adaptation of Cats, calling it "ridiculous" for the changes made to the original musical.
The premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's new version of Cinderella, initially planned for August 2020, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Andrew Lloyd Webber sparked controversy in July 2021 by stating his willingness to be arrested for opening Cinderella to full capacity despite rising COVID-19 cases and government recommendations.
In July 2021, during an appearance on Good Morning Britain, Andrew Lloyd Webber revealed his decision to no longer vote for the Conservative Party. He cited their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and their perceived inadequate support for the arts sector during the crisis as the reasons for his disillusionment.
Andrew Lloyd Webber, along with Lin-Manuel Miranda, participated in the BBC Platinum Jubilee Concert in 2022, celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee. They performed modified lyrics to "The King's Song" from Jesus Christ Superstar.
After a record-breaking run, The Phantom of the Opera closed on Broadway in April 2023, marking the end of a significant chapter in theatre history.
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Madeleine Gurdon were invited to ride in the King's procession at Royal Ascot in 2023.
Andrew Lloyd Webber was commissioned to compose a new anthem for the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. His piece, "Make a Joyful Noise", was performed during the Queen's enthronement.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's son, Nicholas, passed away in 2023 at the age of 43 following an 18-month battle with gastric cancer.
In 2024, Andrew Lloyd Webber disclosed that he had a priest bless his London home in Eaton Square, Belgravia, to address what he believed to be a haunting.
On St George's Day in 2024, Andrew Lloyd Webber received a prestigious honor, being appointed as a Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter (KG).