Joe Raposo

Joe Raposo (February 8, 1937 - February 5, 1989) was a composer who wrote many songs and film instrumentals for Sesame Street and The Electric Company. He also performed some of his songs on the show (e.g. "I'm an Aardvark"). He graduated from Harvard College in 1958.

His earliest collaboration with Jim Henson was on the special Hey Cinderella!. This led to work on Sesame Street, penning such tunes as "Bein' Green." Raposo later composed incidental music for The Muppet Show (such as the "At the Dance" theme) and both songs and score for The Great Muppet Caper, which garnered him an Academy Award nomination for "The First Time It Happens."

Outside of the Muppets, Raposo wrote the theme song for the sitcom Three's Company, and composed the score and songs for the animated movie Raggedy Ann & Andy: A Musical Adventure, including "Blue," later recorded by Helen Reddy and performed by her on The Muppet Show. The last series he worked on was Shining Time Station (which featured former Sesame Street cast member Leonard Jackson during the first season.)

Raposo passed away from lymphoma in February 1989. A television special hosted and directed by fellow Sesame Street crew member Jon Stone aired in memorium, and three years later, a dedication CD was released commemorating his work on Sesame Street.