What made Disney films memorable? Was it the setting? Was it the characters? Or maybe it was the slapstick/drama/ or action? Or maybe it was the music, more specifically the songs; those rousing numbers that explain one's motivation, goals, dreams. Played with varying modes of energy, from the high energy "Be Our Guest" to the smooth love ballad of "Beauty and the Beast." The music of a Disney film must have been the focus point because to this day people are still sing these songs, to their friends, to their children, even to themselves. In the end, no one seems to ask themselves or others this question "Who wrote all those amazing songs?" As a kid I originally gave credit to composer Alan Menken, but as the information age rose, I was directed to another person, a man who may have done more than just write songs. A man who fleshed out these characters and stories at the whim of the non-conforming Disney executives. a man who took these simple fairy tales, and turned them into the classics they are. That man is Howard Ashman.
Howard Eliot Ashman was born May 17th 1950 in Baltimore Maryland and studied at Boston University and Goddard College. A director of many plays prior to his Disney work, that were had a mixed reception. He first met Alan Menken in 1979 on a play "God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater" and the two would later form an inseparable bond working on more projects such as the stage adaption of "Little Shop of Horrors" in 1982 and provide its music for the plays 1986 film adaption. Needless to say both versions were loved by audiences and critics alike; eventually winning an award for the song "Mean Green Mother From Outer Space."
In 1988 Ashman proved his lyrical prowess, writing "Once Upon A Time in New York City"; the opening sequence song in "Oliver and Company." Surprisingly, Ashman found himself attached to another project; one that has been in the making for the past 30 years, one that would set the high bar for all the films to follow. "The Little Mermaid" was that film that changed the way people looked at animation at the time, and the film that showed Ashman's talents as stage play experts. Alongside Menken, the two released some of the films most unforgettable songs; the most leading example was heartfelt "Part of Your World." For most of the project it seemed that he was calling a majority of the shots at the Disney Animation Studios, largely due to the passion he had for the films and his desire for these films to be the best. After the film was released in 1989, even Ashman had executives like then chairman Jeffery Katzenburg bowing before his every suggestion. Ashman continued to spread the same enthusiasm for Disney's next two projects "Beauty and the Beast" and "Aladdin." He was able to finish writing at least 6 songs for each film, however; his time was slowly about to run out.
Ashman was infected with the HIV/AIDS virus that plagued many during the 80s/early 90s. The first person he confided this to was his long-time collaborator: Alan Menken. Disney Animators were sent from Burbank to New York to help a weakening Howard finish the film that would set even an even higher precedence than "The Little Mermaid." Pouring everything he had, as he was withering away; Ashman finally succumbed to complications of AIDS on March 14th 1991. Nearly 8 months before "Beauty and the Beast" was released; the film was dedicated to his memory with the words.
"To our friend Howard, who gave a Mermaid her voiceand a Beast his soul, we are forever grateful."
Despite such a tragic loss, Disney journeyed on, Menken would join the likes of lyricists like Tim Rice to finish work on Aladdin in 1992, and Stephen Schwartz on both Pocahontas (1995) and The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996). Animators, directors, anyone who has worked with Ashman before; pressed on putting their hearts into the creation of these films released on a yearly basis. This period was known by all film buffs and people as the "Disney Renaissance" of the 90's. In 1994, "Beauty and the Beast" spawned an even more successful Broadway show with Alan Menken and Tim Rice involved. This show included "Human Again," a song written by Ashman but was cut out of the film due to consistency problems. In honor of the film's 10th anniversary, Disney re-released "Beauty and the Beast" this time adding the "Human Again" song: another way of honoring Ashman's legacy.
What can be said about a man like Howard Ashman, really what can be said about someone I never knew? I don't get this emotional listening to a 2Pac song or a Biggie song, so why is talking about someone like Howard Ashman invoking so many emotions. Maybe it because in all those songs I felt a little of him resonate; not knowing who it was at the time. Maybe there was a part of him that wanted to be "where the people are," or maybe he wanted "adventure in the great wide somewhere." Maybe he wanted to remind Menken or Katzenburg or even us thatwell "never had a friend like him." Or maybe he wanted us to strive to be "part of that world," or get closer to each other and find "something there that wasn't there before." Whatever he was trying to say, whatever he yearned for, or whatever he wants us to yearn for. We will all be listening to the amazing lyrics of an spectacular man.
To Howard Ashman:For giving us Mermaids a voiceAnd us Beasts a soulWe are truly forever grateful
RIP Howard Ashman1950-1991
Sources1. http://howardashman.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/howardashman1020.jpg (Photo Only)2. 3. 4.
Full Post
No comments:
Post a Comment