Don Music
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Composer Don Music was a Muppet character on the children's television show Sesame Street.
The typical sketch would have him become frustrated by his inability to think of the final line to well known songs such as "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and "Mary Had a Little Lamb", and react by banging his head on his piano. However, a reporter observing him, typically Kermit the Frog, would then help Don by suggesting some suitable lyrics. As a result, Don would be inspired to suddenly come up with a whole alternative lyrical composition to the familiar children's songs, which he immediately plays with a full arrangement without any rehearsal with a line of backup singers that suddenly appear from the next room.
Don Music debuted in 1974, though some parents complained to the Children's Television Workshop that their kids were imitating him by banging their heads against things. Concerns were also raised that Don was teaching inappropriate ways to vent their anger when things were not going right.
Music kept a picture of Sesame Street songwriter and composer Joe Raposo on the wall, although it was never actually identified as such. Don Music also maintained a bust of Ludwig van Beethoven on his piano; however, when addressing it (to apologize for his failure as a composer or otherwise verbalize his feelings), he called it "Bill", evidently believing this was Beethoven's first name.
Don Music was performed by Richard Hunt.
