Composer Don Music was a Muppet character on the children's television show Sesame Street. He was performed and voiced by Richard Hunt.
The typically amusing 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, 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. After reports that children were imitating him by banging their heads against things, Don was dropped from the show.
Don kept a picture of Sesame Street songwriter and composer Joe Raposo on the wall (although it was never actually identified as such), as well as a bust of Ludwig van Beethoven (possibly a reference to Schroeder) on his piano, which he addressed as "Ludwig" when apologizing for his failure as a composer or otherwise verbalizing his feelings. In at least one episode the bust is of William Shakespeare, which he addressed as "Bill."
Famous quotes containing the words don and/or music:
“Rather would I have the love songs of romantic ages, rather Don Juan and Madame Venus, rather an elopement by ladder and rope on a moonlight night, followed by the father’s curse, mother’s moans, and the moral comments of neighbors, than correctness and propriety measured by yardsticks.”
—Emma Goldman (1869–1940)
“Music is either sacred or secular. The sacred agrees with its dignity, and here has its greatest effect on life, an effect that remains the same through all ages and epochs. Secular music should be cheerful throughout.”
—Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749–1832)