For nearly forty years, Andrew Lloyd Webber has been writing music for performance in a variety of styles. His main mark, however, has been made in musical theatre. Lloyd Webber has collaborated with a several lyricists, notably Tim Rice. These efforts have resulted in shows like Cats, Evita, and The Phantom Of the Opera. They, like their forebears from the “Golden Era” of musicals, have made an indelible mark on the form. Some of their works have proved so popular that they have enjoyed runs of more than a decade.
Lloyd Webber can lay claim to having written the music to what sources indicate is the highest-grossing entertainment event of all time, The Phantom of the Opera. It is well into its second decade of production both in London and New York and has been viewed live by millions of people. It boasts 'worldwide box office takings of over £1.8 billion, making it the most financially successful Broadway show in history.'
The popular appeal of Lloyd Webber's works may appear boundless, but research reveals that he does have his detractors, including the former front man for Pink Floyd, Roger Waters. Waters seems convinced that Lloyd Weber ripped-off some early Floyd sounds and while he declined to pursue the matter through the courts, 'Waters did...respond by adding a reference to Webber in the song “It's a Miracle” on the Amused to Death album ("Lloyd Webber's awful stuff runs for years and years and years / An earthquake hits the theatre but the operetta lingers / Then the piano lid comes down and breaks his X!X!X!X! fingers. It's a Miracle").'
Lloyd Webber can lay claim to having written the music to what sources indicate is the highest-grossing entertainment event of all time, The Phantom of the Opera. It is well into its second decade of production both in London and New York and has been viewed live by millions of people. It boasts 'worldwide box office takings of over £1.8 billion, making it the most financially successful Broadway show in history.'
The popular appeal of Lloyd Webber's works may appear boundless, but research reveals that he does have his detractors, including the former front man for Pink Floyd, Roger Waters. Waters seems convinced that Lloyd Weber ripped-off some early Floyd sounds and while he declined to pursue the matter through the courts, 'Waters did...respond by adding a reference to Webber in the song “It's a Miracle” on the Amused to Death album ("Lloyd Webber's awful stuff runs for years and years and years / An earthquake hits the theatre but the operetta lingers / Then the piano lid comes down and breaks his X!X!X!X! fingers. It's a Miracle").'