Sesame Street - The Alphabet, Songs, Famous People and Celebrities - YouTube Finds
Joshua Radin Sesame Street song Scrubs
Sesame Street's Susan Sings The Alphabet
For decades, famous celebrities have graced Sesame Street and the Sesame Street audiences with guest appearances, bringing with them some wonderful singing, song, dance, comedy, encouragement, and more.
My love of Sesame Street started back in '71. Yes, way back then, almost 40 years ago. It was one of the most educational foundations available to children of every race, creed, and economic level. In fact it was one of the only children's shows period.
As some of you may know, my parents were immigrants from Greece. Language was a bit of a barrier, but they got by. Teaching me, however, was not so easy. They, themselves, were still trying to learn.
It was television that in large part got me there those early childhood years. Sesame Street was, of course a major blessing. It seems I was lucky to be born when I was. It was a new concept in educational television. I am here to say it was a most beneficial concept.
On Sesame Street, children are challenged in many different ways, on many different levels to learn the basics of language, math, geography, social, emotional, and environmental issues. It does so with routine, and with wonderful surprises mixed in.
As I was researching for my latest series, I came across memory after memory of... Sesame Street. One thing many of my favorite famous comediennes had in common, was their appearance on this beloved show. In fact it was on Sesame Street that I first encountered many of the great celebrities I later came to love and admire.
Now if you think the alphabet song is a simple song, that can only be said or sung one way, think again. The great celebrities that took their time out to grace Sesame Street, also graced us wih wonderful renditions of the alphabet. Some sang it. Some recited it. Some had fun with it. Some were very serious about it. Some had trouble with it (not really of course).
At any rate I doubt my memories of Sesame Street will ever leave me. Thought I'd bring back some memories or make some new ones for all of you, in appreciation of these beautiful people and this long loved show. Hope you all enjoy and share.
Celebrities Sing Alphabet Song on Sesame Street
Sesame Street - James Earl Jones recites the alphabet
JAMES EARL JONES
- Born January 17, 1931
- Best known for the Voice of Darth Vader (Star Wars series) and Moufasa (The Lion King)
- Career began on stage in 1950
- First film roll in Dr. Strangelove (1964) as Lt. Zogg
- Winner of two Emmy awards in 1991, one Golden Globe award in 1971, Life Achievement award in 2009, and winner of aTony Award in 1969 and 1987 consecutively.
- Made test films for Sesame Street in 1969 while it was still in testing stages. He was the first celebrity to appear on Sesame Street. Clips from the testing period were used.
Sesame Street - Jackie Robinson recites the Alphabet
JACKIE ROBINSON
- January 31, 1919 - October 24, 1972
- First African American Major League Baseball player to break the color line in Major League Baseball.
- Threw and batted right
- Brooklyn Dodgers 1947-1956
- This clip was filmed sometime in his last years. No readily available records to indicate exactly when, but when compared to James Earl Jones and others' clips, it seems it may have been taken during the testing stages of Sesame Street.
Classic Sesame Street - Richard Pryor's alphabet
RICHARD PRYOR
A few small facts:
- December 1, 1940 - December 10, 2005
- Comedian
- Winner of five Grammy Awards for best comedy album, Lifetime Achievement Award in Comedy 1993, one Emmy for his writing in Lily.
- Wrote for shows such as Sanford and Son, and The Flip Wilson Show in the 70's.
- He was a guest host for the first season of Saturday Night Live.
- Co-wrote Blazing Saddles.
- Was known for his profanity.
- Was in 50 films during his career
- Made own show similar to Sesame Street called Pryors Place, which was short lived.
Sesame Street - Bill Cosby alphabet
BILL COSBY
- Born July 12, 1937
- Still married to Camille Hanks since 1964
- 5 Children (with Camille)
- Creator and Host of Fat Albert (1970's), The Cosby Show (1980's), Little Bill (1999+)
- First black star of a dramatic television series, I Spy
- Has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Has written 11 books.
Sesame Street: Alphabet with Lou Rawl
LOU RAWLS
- December 1, 1933 - January 6, 2006 (died of cancer)
- American Soul, Jazz, and Blues Singer from 1950's-2006
- Sang National Anthem at the Earnie Shavers-Muhammad Ali title fight at Madison Square Gardens. He would sing it many more times in the next 28 years.
- He recited the alphabet in a segmant of Sesame Street during its first season.
Sesame Street - The Pointer Sisters Alphabet Song
THE POINTER SISTERS
- Anita, Ruth, and Issa Pointer from Oakland, California.
- Debut album - The Pointer Sisters - debuted in 1973. Their first hit was off this album - Yes We Can Can.
- There were 5 sisters altogether. They started as a quarted but became a trio in 1977 when two dropped out and one joined.
- This clip was done after 1977
- Other popular songs: I'm So Excited (1982), Neutron Dance (1984), Slow Hand (1981), and Fire (1978).
My favorite one of all! - LENA HORNE and Muppets Sing The Alphabet
- Born June 30, 1917
- Singer of pop, opera, and Jazz.
- actress
- In 1933 Lena joined the chorus line of the Cotton Club, as the start of her career.
- She later went to Hollywood and had quite a film career.
- Lena also starred on television and loved her nightclub acts.
- In the '50's Lena Horne was blacklisted for her political views.
- In the '70's she played herself on shows such as Sanford and Son, The Muppet Show, and Sesame street.
- To hear Lena sing Stormy Weather, in the MGM movie of the same name, the movie which began her skyrocket to fame, go to Sunday Afternoon Classics - Lena Horne.
Sesame Street - Billy Joel Sings The Alphabet
BILLY JOEL
- Born May 9, 1949
- Singer/musician of pop/ pop rock
- Had top 10 hits in 70's, 80's and 90's - 33 top 40 hits in US
- Was married to Model Christie Brinkley (1985-1994) and had one daughter. This was his second of three marriages.
- The songs "This Night" and "And So It Goes" were written about his relationship with Model/Actress Elle Macpherson.
- He appeared on Sesame Street in 1988.
Here's Dennis Franz reciting the alphabet on Sesame Street with Telly Monster
DENNIS FRANZ
- Born October 28, 1944
- Began careen at the Organic Theater Company in Chicago.
- Because of his look, he was typecast as a police officer throughout his career.
- He guest starred in shows like the A-Team and later had a major role in Hill Street Blues.
- He won four Emmy's for his character Andy on NYPD Blue.
Patti Labelle sings The Alphabet on Sesame Street
PATTI LABELLE
Born May 24th 1944.
Singer-songwriter, actress. (She has been in seven movies, her first with Richard Pryor in 1979 - a documentary. Her scenes were deleted. The last movie she appeared in as of the time of this article was in 2009 entitled Mama, "I Want to Sing!"
Known for her wild hairdos.
For a funny story about Patti Labelle, read this article entitled Horror: Night of the Living LaBelle by Christopher Reilly.
*all videos courtesy YouTube
*all alphabet graphics by Frieda Babbley c 2009
THIS ARTICLE WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE LETTERS: F, B, AND BY THE NUMBER: 1
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LINK TO SESAME STREET DOT ORG FROM THIS ARTICLE - COURTESY FRIEDA BABBLEY
- Home - Sesame Street
Sesame Street uses animation, puppets, and live actors to stimulate young children's minds, improve their letter and word recognition, basic arithmetic, geometric forms, classification, simple problem solving and socialization by showing children or
Comments
I LOVE your icon and had to come and see the Sesame Street gang! I must admit I am a bit out of touch with the modern characters,- Veggie Monster?!! I loved Cookie Monster! Ah, well..
There are a couple of Old School Sesame Street compilations available on DVD, but I would love for someone to put a whole season by season collection, or at least a best of each season. For the simple reason that when Sesame Street does go back in time for special episodes, you don't really get a feel for how important "David" and "Mr. Hooper" were to the fabric of the show.
I'm embarrassed to say I don't know which. I'll find out but in the meantime, I like the two or more idea and then she'll know all the hot spots. Thanks for doing this, I look forward to it too. =:)
Hi Frieda, I love them too and funny alphabet songs. Check out this one:
https://hubpages.com/entertainment/Crazy-ABCs-and-...
I have a friend doing residency in St. Louis, it would be nice if you could put some of your favorite things/eats etc. in a hub for her to get some tips from.
All my best. =:)
I am a child forever as I delight in the company of your friendly and informative hubs.
IN FACT I DON'T WANT TO GROW UP ....just bask in your glow!
I really enjoyed this. I am a fan of Sesame Street way back then. My son is now a fan and I guess his future children will also be a fan. Well great hub indeed.
Frieda, thanks for the memories. I watched limited television as a child, but Sesame Street was one of the shows I watched as a child. I enjoyed the video clips. Recently I was surprised to learn from the Oprah show about the person behind the Elmo character. He was nothing like I imagined.
Thanks for the great hub. I thoroughly enjoyed it as did my six year old son... Oh the good ole days...
Oh yes...and in our preschool now, I sometimes use Big Bird puppet when I do a little show for the kids...like to introduce a letter or a number. Sesame Street got me huh? LOL
I remember Sesame Street. When I was a child away from home, it was something that I look forward to when I would go home. This took me back to those years when it accompanied me through those lonely times. Thanks! :-)
oh Frieda, you made me cry when I read and watched the videos here. I mean, I can remember watching when I was younger (still do) and I was in another world when was on. Amidst the horrors and abuse of my real life as a child, there would always be Sesame Street. I tried to runaway to Sesame Street twice growing up. For some reason, I knew I would be safer on Sesame Street.
Wow, Frieda. Thanks for sharing.
I loved seasame street as a kid but it did not seem as quality when my kids watched it.
It does not surprise me in the least that you met him, Frieda. You lead one of the most interesting lives, I swear!
I LOVE Sesame Street! Watched it and Kaptain Kangaroo almost faithfully! When I was teaching kindergarten, I used a lot of their videos. I can't get the Scrubs video to play, but I've seen the show. It's worth another watch.
Great one, Frieda!!
I'm watchin sesame street rite now. Coooooookie!
I LOVED this hub - my daughter grew up atching and learning from Sesame Street - and of course, I had to watch with her. Such fun - my favourite was the ummer "Animal" ........
Frieda, terrific hub...really enjoyed it. Nice job.
What a great idea for a hub. This uses the attributes of HubPages to great effect -- and it's way cool!
Quite the hub dear. Reminds me of Mozart's Twinkle Twinkle Little Star piece, brilliant. Ever heard that? I was too old when Sesame Street was introduced, but my kids grew up on it, now I have grandkids enjoying it. Keep up the good stuff girl.
Loved sesame street, and so did my son, only time he sat still for any length of time lol Great videos and memories.
Wonderful muppet memories, hey that could be your next one. Seriously good fun!
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