The songwriter, 77, discusses his career highlights, hypochondria and why he can’t stand Mock the Week
Lyricist Tim Rice achieved fame with composer Andrew Lloyd Webber on their musicals Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita. Among his other collaborations are Chess, with Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson of Abba, Disney’s Aladdin, with Alan Menken, and The Lion King, with Elton John.
He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, is a Disney Legend, was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 1994 and has won Emmy, Oscar, Grammy and Tony awards. He has three daughters and a son, and seven grandchildren; he divides his time between Buckinghamshire and Cornwall.
Going to live in Japan for a year in 1954 with my father Hugh, mother Joan and younger brothers Jonathan and Andrew – I was 10 and old enough to appreciate it. My father’s job with the De Havilland Aircraft Company involved some Far East travel and on this occasion he decided to take the family with him. American Forces radio in Japan was a staggering ear-opener: the biggest hits of our time over there – Unchained Melody, Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White and Rock Around the Clock – turned me on to pop and rock.
History. I’ve always favoured true stories as subjects for musicals, such as Joseph, Superstar and Evita, over made-up ones. A big plus with a story that’s true is that directors can’t change it: you couldn’t have Jesus being let off by Pontius Pilate, or Eva Peron living to 90 and being found in an old folks’ home in Buenos Aires. So my control of the story was stronger. But the main reason for favouring them is that truth is always stranger than fiction.