Item 924 - Once in a lifetime

British composer and lyricist Leslie Bricusse’s career has included writing songs for both stage and film musicals. Born in Pinner in Greater London’s Harrow borough, he began his education at University College School; he went on to Gonville and Caius College at the University of Cambridge to study modern and medieval languages; while there became involved in the “Footlights” revue as secretary (1952-1953) and president (1954). After university, he partnered with actor/singer Anthony Newley during the 1960s and 1970s. Calling themselves Brinkman and Newburg, the two created two hit musicals, “Stop the World – I Want to Get Off,” which was made into a movie in 1966, and “The Roar of the Greasepaint, the Smell of the Crowd.” Many famous singers, including Sammy Davis Junior, Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra, Shirley Bassey and Diana Krall had hits singing their songs. They made the soundtracks for such films as “Dr. Dolittle,” “Goodbye, Mr. Chips,” and “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” They collected numerous awards for their work, including an Oscar for best original song for “Talk to the Animals” from Dr. Dolittle. Bricusse went on to work with Henry Mancini on Victor/Victoria for which they won an Oscar in 1982 for Best Adaptation and Original Song Score. Eight other Oscar nominations and four Tony nominations came to Bricusse, as well as eight Ivor Novello awards, the most prestigious of British music prizes, and another British one, the Kennedy Award for consistent excellence in British song writing. He is one of only four Britons to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.