Before the age of 50, composer Alan Menken (born 1949) had won eight Academy awards and four Grammys. His scores for the Walt Disney animated films of the 1990s as well as his success on the Broadway stage have some crediting him with the return of both genres. Disney seems convinced, as well, having asked Menken to prepare the score for all of their animated films as well as some live action features, over a ten year period.

Alan Menken was born on July 22, 1949 in New Rochelle, New York. He was interested in music from an early age and studied both piano and violin in high school. His musical tastes were broad in scope, and included classical, show tunes, rock, and folk. Menken enrolled at New York University in 1967 where, for a time, he took premed courses in order to please his parents. His true passion won out, however, and...