E. Tyler Harp - Raised on the Music of the Tube

Like most toddlers, my best friends were the characters on Sesame Street.  Bert, Ernie, Grover and my favorite Oscar the Grouch (even though my mother  thought he was a bad influence)  When I really look back on it, what I really enjoyed most from the educational and often sacrine-y sweet Children's Television Workshop production was the musical guests.  Be it on a rooftop all Beatles farewell style or just down in front of Hooper's store, I can remember boppin' in my Huggies before our giant, wooden, floor console TV (with the cigarette burn on the top.  Busted Pop!)  There was always an abundance of kids dancing frenetically (the way only little kids can) and also the occasional duet with a monster or two.  The list of performers is surprisingly long when you really think about it.  So in this first blog article focusing on time spent with my 3rd parent, television, I'd like to share with you (through the magic of Youtube) some of my most favorite Sesame Street musical guests:

(You gotta love the front-of-the-brownstone performance and the little girl ad-libing)  

Billy Joel, Marlee Matlin and Oscar The Grouch - Just the Way You Are

(Classic Oscar, givin' Billy the business)

Stevie Wonder - Superstition

(Stevie at his best, plus some weird kid havin' a fit up on a fire escape)

Last but certainly not least...

James Taylor and Oscar the Grouch - You're Grouchy Face

(Up-on-the-roof duet.  James changes the lyrics to match Oscar's generally rotten disposition) 

This blog post is brought to you by the letter's L, S, D and MP!

Tune in next time when we talk about the music of Looney Tunes and how I didn't really care who Carl Stahling was when I was 5.

Comments

[Mike Thompson]

Gotta give an honorable mention the great Pointer Sisters for their vocals on the Pinball Song!