Template:Performer-voice
Template:Am Little Chrissy is the lead singer and piano player for Little Chrissy and the Alphabeats. He is voiced by his namesake, Christopher Cerf, who also wrote most of the character's songs. Jim Henson usually performed the actual puppet until his death in 1990.[1] Frank Oz performed the puppet in a sketch where Don Music rewrote "Yankee Doodle".[2]
Little Chrissy and the Alphabeats first appeared on Sesame Street in 1973, performing the song "Count it Higher." Other songs featuring Little Chrissy include "Exit," "I Go to School," "You're Alive," "Rock 'N Roll Readers," "Cluck Around the Clock," and "Gonna Rock You to Sleep. In a 1990 episode from Season 21, him and the Alphabeats (with Big Jeffy in place of the Lavender Alphabeat) performed "Startin' Kindergarten" on the street, a song dedicated to Miles, Caroline, and Travis' start of kindergarten.
Little Chrissy also appeared with Big Jeffy to perform "London bridges" on the street itself with Elmo, Bob, and the kids.
His most recent appearance occurred in Season 30, acting as piano accompanist to Patti LaBelle's rendition of "Gospel Alphabet."
Little Chrissy has occasionally performed without the Alphabeats, in songs such as "Eight Balls of Fur," "Raise Your Hand," "The Opposite Song," and "Wet or Dry." He also can be seen in the audience of The Amazing Mumford's magic act in the storybook, The Amazing Mumford Presents the Magic Weather Show.
Name
Little Chrissy has also been called "Chris" and "Chrissy". Instances when he has been called "Little Chrissy" include the following:
- Rock 'N Roll Readers: referred to as Little Chrissy by Telly Monster.
- Gonna Rock You to Sleep: referred to as Little Chrissy by the day care supervisor.
- Sesamestreet.org: videos featuring the singer are linked to either "Little Chrissy" or "Little Chrissie".
Instances when he has been called "Chris" include the following:
- 25 Greatest Hits: Called Chris on the cover of the album.
- Born to Add (original release) and The Best of Sesame Street: on the album credits.
- Count it Higher: Great Music Videos from Sesame Street: in the Count's introduction to the song "Count it Higher", and the MTV-style captions credit him as that name.
Instances when he has been called "Chrissy" include the following:
- Born to Add: credits for the re-release.
- Rock & Roll: mentioned by Gina, referred to by this name in the video description on the back cover, and as credited on the MTV-style captions.
- "Gospel Alphabet": Patti LaBelle called him Chrissy.
See also
- Chrissy (member of Little Jerry and the Monotones)
Sources
- โ Cerf, Christopher Songs from the Street: 35 Years of Music booklet, p. 12
- โ Pastimes, March 1975 issue, includes a photo of Frank performing Chrissy and the lavendar Alphabeat