The Muppet Show became a 'must have' on any self respecting celebrities checklist. It was always labelled a family show, but we all knew that it was mostly for the grown ups! Likewise, the other great Henson show, Sesame Street, is primarily for the younger children, but it has always had broader appeal and is always without any air of patronising. The famous have long queued up to be on either, and often both, of these shows.
But what of the musical fraternity?
For starters, the Muppet Show already had a pretty decent house band, in the shape of Dr. Teeth & Electric Mayhem. Who wouldn't want to guest star with them? Sesame Street didn't have a band like that, but did have a few musical muppets and plenty of cute characters for musicians to work with.
So, for something a little different and maybe if you need a little cheering up - we bring a selection of the great musicians (and I mean great) that have appeared on these two iconic shows. The musicians featured below only, and I can't stress this enough, scratch the surface. This selection didn't even have room for the likes of Paul Simon, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, BB King, Tony Bennett and Billy Joel, to name but a few. Wait, did I also mention, Diana Ross, Alice Cooper, Kenny Rodgers, Linda Ronstadt and Debbie Harry?
If this selection of tunes and sketches doesn't have you smiling, you have a much colder heart than mine!
Alicia Keys and Elmo: Dancin'
Alicia Keys sat down at the piano with Elmo in 2005, one of several appearances she made on the show, and recreated her song Falling, but this time as Dancin'.
Shirley Bassey: Goldfinger
Shirley Bassey recreates one of her classic Bond theme tunes, to end her episode on the Muppets. Kermit has arranged for $50 million worth of gold bars to be brought in to make the set, little knowing that a renegade band of pigs were planning a heist. Notice how hard she is trying not to crack up, as the camera pans in at the start!
Dizzy Gillespie: St. Louis Blues
Now, I'm not a great one for jazz, but I can make an exception when legendary trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie takes to the stage with Electric Mayhem. Set in an episode where an environmental inspector is trying to shut the show down because of the noise, this tune really gets the theatre rocking. He sings, he plays, he even tap dances too. Watch out for the coolest bongo player you will ever see.....
Kris Kristofferson and Miss Piggy: Help Me Make It Through The Night
Kris Kristofferson sings his classic tune (a hit for Willie Nelson) as a duet with Miss Piggy, and the sparks really start to fly! Before the song has started, Piggy has already tried to make Kermit jealous, sticking her head through the curtain and saying she was about to perform a "very sexy number." Miss Piggy (with some help from Frank Oz) really hams it up and the usually cool cucumber, Kristofferson, is barely holding it together by the end.
Elton John: Crocodile Rock
What could be more Muppets than Elton John in full, peak 70s Elton John regalia - with Electric Mayhem and a crocodile chorus (just wait for when they chime in) - playing Crocodile Rock? An absolute classic. And if this isn't enough for you, you can also check out John and Piggy duetting on Don't Go Breaking My Heart!
Yo-Yo Ma
Now for a bit of class from Sesame Street, when classical musician Yo-Yo Ma, perhaps the world's most renowned cellist, comes face to face with sax playing owl Hoots! This is one of many appearances Ma has made over the years; in this episode, he is out in the arbor late in the evening when he is spotted playing by Hoots. Smooth jazz sax meets classical cello when Hoots challenges him to a jam session.
Steve Martin and Lubbock Lou & His Jughuggers: Duelling Banjos
In an episode where the Muppet Show is not on, owing to auditions to find the next array of 'talent' for the show, Steve Martin decides to stick around the theatre and keep everyone entertained. They didn't really need a laugh track for this episode apparently, because Martin made the crew laugh so much, they could just use that. If you didn't know, as well as comedy, Martin has made a bit of a name for himself as a banjo player over the years, so this really is him playing. Watch out for the human cannonball from the Flying Zucchini Brothers at the end!
Stevie Wonder: Superstition
Sesame Street is only a half hour show, yet in 1973 they allowed Stevie Wonder to jam a seven minute version of his classic song, Superstition. The episode also saw him helping Grover work on his scat singing. Sit back and enjoy - this is just one heck of a performance!
Buddy Rich and Animal
Buddy Rich is generally regarded as about the greatest drummer of all time - despite being known as a jazz player and bandleader, his influence extended into rock, with the likes of Roger Taylor, Phil Collins and John Bonham all citing his technique as an influence. But in a 1981 Muppet Show episode, Buddy Rich comes face to face with the Muppets very own drum legend - Animal (who was influenced by Keith Moon). In this battle of the skins, who will come out on top? Just check out Animal's face as Rich reaches his climax - priceless.
Ricky Gervais and Elmo: N Song
Alright, I know Ricky Gervais is not technically known as a musician - but this is one of the funniest sketches I have seen from any show - ever. This episode of Celebrity Lullabies is wonderful and deserves its place in this list. Also, Elmo needs some kudos for his comedic timing - "Mr Ricky has done enough" is a classic!