Lionel Bart, born Lionel Begleiter on 1 August 1930 in England, was an English
songwriter whose career spanned pop and musical theatre. Early in the 1950s
Lionel Bart wrote revues for the International Youth Centre and Unity Theatre,
where he met Joan Littlewood and began composing for her Theatre Workshop
productions. His first commercial breakthrough came with the 1957 hit "Living
Doll" for Cliff Richard, followed by "Rock with the Caveman" for Tommy Steele.
In 1960 he made his musical debut with Oliver!, earning Bart the 1963 Tony
Award for Best Original Score and contributin...