The Music of Andrew Lloyd Weber, Andrew Lloyd Weber  4/12/1986
Universal Amphitheatre, Seat: n.a.

Born: March 22, 1948

Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber has written some of the most commercially successful musicals of the last quarter of the 20th century. Among his most popular shows are "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" (1967), "Jesus Christ Superstar" (1971), "Evita" (1974), "Cats" (1981), "The Phantom of the Opera" (1986), and "Sunset Boulevard" (1993). Lloyd Webber's gift for melody has spawned such classic musical theater songs as "Memory" and "Music of the Night."

Lloyd Webber was born in London on March 22, 1948. His father was a faculty member at the Royal College of Music and his mother was a piano teacher. Andrew showed musical aptitude at a very young age, and, while still a youth, composed short musical entertainments for his family.

His first musical was "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" (1967). With lyricist Tim Rice, Lloyd Webber created an eclectic score to accompany the Old Testament story of Joseph and his brothers. Musical numbers ranged in style from Elvis-style rock to calypso and soft rock ballads. Joseph's two big songs, "Any Dream Will Do" and "Close Every Door," became hit singles.

"Jesus Christ Superstar" (1971), another collaboration with Rice, began life as a double album. Concert tours of the "rock opera" followed, and ultimately, a stage version emerged. "Superstar," the story of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as seen through the eyes of Pontius Pilate, garnered seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Score. Mary Magdalene's song "I Don't Know How to Love Him" became a pop standard. The 1973 film version starred Ted Neeley and Carl Anderson.

"Evita" (1974), based on the life of Eva Peron, also began as a concept album. Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin starred in the Broadway version. The show received numerous Tony Awards, including Best Actress (LuPone)