Sad to read about the death today of Maya Angelou, who wrote the lyrics for my musical KING. She’s mainly known in the UK for her wonderful autobiographical novel I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, but her poetry will endure as well for sure. I spent two memorable weeks at her house in South Carolina, and she visited London several times during our collaboration. She was a formidable presence, outspoken, irrascible, stubborn, kind and with the widest grin I’ve ever seen. She bore witness to amazing events in American history, marching on Freedom Marches with Martin Luther King Jnr to speaking her poetry at President Clinton’s re-inauguration (at which I was present). A great talent, a great spirit and a great lady.
