For those of us who remember the original Muppet Show, the show always included music of all kinds…like the cover classic “Mahna Mahna”.
Yes, it was a real song that was featured on Ed Sullivan, Benny Hill, and Red Skelton, so why not use it on, yet another variety show…with a bunch of puppets?
We were introduced to Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem band in the first episode of the Muppet Show in 1976. The group was based on real life people:
- Animal: a combination of Keith Moon, John Bonham, Ginger Baker and Mick Fleetwood
- Dr. Teeth: Dr. John
- Floyd Pepper: the fictional character Sgt. Pepper from The Beatles
- Janice: Michelle Phillips of the Mamas and Papas
- Zoot: Jazz trumpeter Gato Barbieri
- Lips: the mysterious lips from the Rolling Stone
While the band, we are aware (or should be) is not real. Muppets can’t play instruments…or can they?
Over the years, the band got to be the backing band for real life artists, to name a few:
- Alice Cooper
- Debra Harry of Blondie
- Elton John
- John Denver
The Electric Mayhem has been in every incarnation of the Muppet Show and movies. Well, now, the band has their own TV show and because of it, they have a full album of cover songs that range from Beach Boys, Cyndi Lauper, Simon and Garfunkel, as well as Kiss:
What is crazy is this album is on the top selling album list and is currently a Top 15 album on the Kid’s Album charts.
I will admit, because of my love of the Muppets, I will be watching this show, which will be on Disney+. Here is the trailer: