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(rewriting to avoid "Bob," fixing sentences like "As a result of his Sesame Street success, Bob remains very popular," combining some subheadings, fix faulty Mitch Miller info, etc.) |
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==Early life== |
==Early life== |
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| − | Bob first became interested in music at the age of five; his immediate family acquired a piano when his grandmother moved into another house. His mother was a pianist in her own right; Bob attributes his initial interest in music to her.<ref name="telearts1">Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation. July 15, 2004. Archive of American Television Interview with Bob McGrath Part 1 of 4. January 16, 2008. <http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2971965733861248851></ref> In high school Bob had a job at a radio station in an adjacent town. He was also involved in numerous musical plays and competitions. He later attended the University of Michigan as a Voice major. During the time of the Korean War, |
+ | Bob McGrath first became interested in music at the age of five; his immediate family acquired a piano when his grandmother moved into another house. His mother was a pianist in her own right; Bob attributes his initial interest in music to her.<ref name="telearts1">Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation. July 15, 2004. Archive of American Television Interview with Bob McGrath Part 1 of 4. January 16, 2008. <http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2971965733861248851></ref> In high school Bob had a job at a radio station in an adjacent town. He was also involved in numerous musical plays and competitions. He later attended the University of Michigan as a Voice major. During the time of the Korean War, McGrath was deployed to Germany, where he worked as part of the 7th Army Symphony. He joined a quartet, and the group toured France for about a month. Soon after, McGrath found himself in New York, where he became part of another quartet.<ref name="telearts1">Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation. July 15, 2004. Archive of American Television Interview with Bob McGrath Part 1 of 4. January 16, 2008. <http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2971965733861248851></ref> |
| + | ==Singing career== |
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| − | ==The Mitch Miller Show== |
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| − | + | McGrath performed with record producer/singer Mitch Miller's troupe, starting when one of Miller's long-time tenors bowed out in December of 1959, on records and then on TV's ''Sing Along with Mitch'' (1961-1964). He was actually a member of the chorus ("The Sing Along Gang"), but he got a chance to perform a solo on a St. Patrick's Day show, amazing audiences, including Miller himself. McGrath eventually became a featured soloist. Though the show's run ended in 1964, the cast and crew were invited to perform in Las Vegas and Japan. |
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| ⚫ | While on tour with Miller, Bob McGrath developed a sizable teenage following, where he was known as Bobu Magurasu (ボブ・マグラス). After eight hit albums and more than 30 hit singles, he continued to tour to sellout crowds. After three years, offers were made for him to move to Japan and continue recording and touring. However, pop stardom was passed over in preference to his family.<ref name="telearts1">Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation. July 15, 2004. Archive of American Television Interview with Bob McGrath Part 1 of 4. January 16, 2008. <http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2971965733861248851></ref> |
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| − | ==More success in Japan== |
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| ⚫ | While on tour with Miller, Bob developed a sizable teenage following, where he was known as Bobu Magurasu (ボブ・マグラス). After eight hit albums and more than 30 hit singles, he continued to tour to sellout crowds. After three years, offers were made for him to move to Japan and continue recording and touring. However, pop stardom was passed over in preference to his family.<ref name="telearts1">Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation. July 15, 2004. Archive of American Television Interview with Bob McGrath Part 1 of 4. January 16, 2008. <http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2971965733861248851></ref> |
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==Life on the Street== |
==Life on the Street== |
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| − | McGrath learned about the Sesame Street casting call from a good friend. He was skeptical about the show's concept, but did sign on along with [[Matt Robinson]], [[Will Lee]], and [[Loretta Long]].<ref name="telearts2">Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation. July 15,2004. Archive of American Television. Interview with Bob McGrath Part 2 of 4. January 16, 2008. <http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8052123968899136558></ref> |
+ | McGrath learned about the Sesame Street casting call from a good friend. He was skeptical about the show's concept, but did sign on along with [[Matt Robinson]], [[Will Lee]], and [[Loretta Long]].<ref name="telearts2">Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation. July 15,2004. Archive of American Television. Interview with Bob McGrath Part 2 of 4. January 16, 2008. <http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8052123968899136558></ref> Both McGrath and Long have remained on the series to this day. |
| − | Bob and Will Lee were apparently very close; the two shared a dressing room. |
+ | Bob McGrath and Will Lee were apparently very close; the two shared a dressing room. McGrath says he learned many lessons from Lee, particularly the importance of respecting the integrity of the children that members of the cast work with.<ref name="telearts2">Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation. July 15,2004. Archive of American Television. Interview with Bob McGrath Part 2 of 4. January 16, 2008. <http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8052123968899136558></ref> |
| − | When Lee died in 1982, producers were |
+ | When Lee died in 1982, producers were faced with a dilemma. After exploring several options and conducting a great deal of research, the production crew finally decided to address the death directly (in [[episode 1839]] from the following year). The result was what many consider to be one of the most poignant moments in ''Sesame Street'' history, as McGrath recalled: |
| − | {{quote|We saw the script and we thought, "Are we ever going to get through this?" and we barely did... we got through the scene, we just rehearsed it for a few hours, totally dry, with no emotion, and then when we finally went to tape, we with did it with some emotion, and barely got through it.}} |
+ | {{quote|We saw the script and we thought, "Are we ever going to get through this?" and we barely did... we got through the scene, we just rehearsed it for a few hours, totally dry, with no emotion, and then when we finally went to tape, we with did it with some emotion, and barely got through it.<ref name="telearts2">Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation. July 15,2004. Archive of American Television. Interview with Bob McGrath Part 2 of 4. January 16, 2008. <http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8052123968899136558></ref>}} |
| − | ::- Bob McGrath recounts the pivotal scene from [[Episode 1839]]<ref name="telearts2">Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation. July 15,2004. Archive of American Television. Interview with Bob McGrath Part 2 of 4. January 16, 2008. <http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8052123968899136558></ref> |
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| − | McGrath has cited this scene and the spoof of [[the Gift of the Magi]] from ''[[Christmas Eve on Sesame Street]]'' as his two favorite ''Sesame Street'' moments.<ref name="telearts2">Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation. July 15,2004. Archive of American Television. Interview with Bob McGrath Part 2 of 4. January 16, 2008. <http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8052123968899136558></ref> |
+ | McGrath has cited this scene and the spoof of [[the Gift of the Magi]] from ''[[Christmas Eve on Sesame Street]]'' as his two favorite ''Sesame Street'' moments.<ref name="telearts2">Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation. July 15,2004. Archive of American Television. Interview with Bob McGrath Part 2 of 4. January 16, 2008. <http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8052123968899136558></ref> He also appeared in most of the other ''Sesame'' specials as well as both theatrical films, ''[[Follow That Bird]]'' and ''[[The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland]]''. |
| − | == |
+ | ==Off the Street== |
| − | + | Bolstered by his long-term ''Sesame Street'' work, McGrath has remained a popular and recognizable stage performer and recording artist, in addition to authoring several children's books. He continues to perform in concerts and make public appearances during the seven to eight months when ''Sesame Street'' is not taping shows. Traditionally his stage show consists of healthy amounts of ''Sesame Street'' songs along with Broadway music and movie tunes that appeal to children. He collaborates with several nonprofit organizations, including the Telemiracle Foundation and the Variety Children's Charity in British Columbia, Canada. On May 17, 2007, he lent his voice to a recording for Songs of Love, a charity which produces songs for the benefit of children with long - term health impairments.<ref>Hellmich, Nanci. "Tragedy spurs celebs to give ailing kids personalized songs." (electronic version). 14 May, 2007. USA Today. January 16, 2008. <http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-05-14-songs-of-love_n.htm></ref> In 2004, McGrath stated he had no intention of retiring.<ref name="telearts4">Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation. July 15, 2004. Archive of American Television Interview with Bob McGrath Part 4 of 4. January 16, 2008. <http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5795625290720105360&total=40&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=4></ref> |
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==Discography== |
==Discography== |
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Revision as of 23:04, 3 December 2009
Robert Emmet "Bob" McGrath (b. June 13, 1932 in Illinois) has been playing the role of Bob Johnson as a member of the cast of Sesame Street since the show's inception in 1969.
Early life
Bob McGrath first became interested in music at the age of five; his immediate family acquired a piano when his grandmother moved into another house. His mother was a pianist in her own right; Bob attributes his initial interest in music to her.[1] In high school Bob had a job at a radio station in an adjacent town. He was also involved in numerous musical plays and competitions. He later attended the University of Michigan as a Voice major. During the time of the Korean War, McGrath was deployed to Germany, where he worked as part of the 7th Army Symphony. He joined a quartet, and the group toured France for about a month. Soon after, McGrath found himself in New York, where he became part of another quartet.[1]
Singing career
McGrath performed with record producer/singer Mitch Miller's troupe, starting when one of Miller's long-time tenors bowed out in December of 1959, on records and then on TV's Sing Along with Mitch (1961-1964). He was actually a member of the chorus ("The Sing Along Gang"), but he got a chance to perform a solo on a St. Patrick's Day show, amazing audiences, including Miller himself. McGrath eventually became a featured soloist. Though the show's run ended in 1964, the cast and crew were invited to perform in Las Vegas and Japan.
While on tour with Miller, Bob McGrath developed a sizable teenage following, where he was known as Bobu Magurasu (ボブ・マグラス). After eight hit albums and more than 30 hit singles, he continued to tour to sellout crowds. After three years, offers were made for him to move to Japan and continue recording and touring. However, pop stardom was passed over in preference to his family.[1]
Life on the Street
McGrath learned about the Sesame Street casting call from a good friend. He was skeptical about the show's concept, but did sign on along with Matt Robinson, Will Lee, and Loretta Long.[2] Both McGrath and Long have remained on the series to this day.
Bob McGrath and Will Lee were apparently very close; the two shared a dressing room. McGrath says he learned many lessons from Lee, particularly the importance of respecting the integrity of the children that members of the cast work with.[2]
When Lee died in 1982, producers were faced with a dilemma. After exploring several options and conducting a great deal of research, the production crew finally decided to address the death directly (in episode 1839 from the following year). The result was what many consider to be one of the most poignant moments in Sesame Street history, as McGrath recalled:
McGrath has cited this scene and the spoof of the Gift of the Magi from Christmas Eve on Sesame Street as his two favorite Sesame Street moments.[2] He also appeared in most of the other Sesame specials as well as both theatrical films, Follow That Bird and The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland.
Off the Street
Bolstered by his long-term Sesame Street work, McGrath has remained a popular and recognizable stage performer and recording artist, in addition to authoring several children's books. He continues to perform in concerts and make public appearances during the seven to eight months when Sesame Street is not taping shows. Traditionally his stage show consists of healthy amounts of Sesame Street songs along with Broadway music and movie tunes that appeal to children. He collaborates with several nonprofit organizations, including the Telemiracle Foundation and the Variety Children's Charity in British Columbia, Canada. On May 17, 2007, he lent his voice to a recording for Songs of Love, a charity which produces songs for the benefit of children with long - term health impairments.[3] In 2004, McGrath stated he had no intention of retiring.[4]
Discography
Books
- Bob McGrath from Sesame Street Sing-Along Simple Guitar (1970)
- Me, Myself (1989)
- I'm a Good Mommy (1989)
- Dog Lies (1989)
- The Shoveler (1989)
- You're a Good Daddy (1989)
- Mr. Sneakers (1989)
- Uh Oh! Gotta Go! (1996)
- Oops! Excuse Me Please! and Other Mannerly Tales (1998)
Sources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation. July 15, 2004. Archive of American Television Interview with Bob McGrath Part 1 of 4. January 16, 2008. <http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2971965733861248851>
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation. July 15,2004. Archive of American Television. Interview with Bob McGrath Part 2 of 4. January 16, 2008. <http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8052123968899136558>
- ↑ Hellmich, Nanci. "Tragedy spurs celebs to give ailing kids personalized songs." (electronic version). 14 May, 2007. USA Today. January 16, 2008. <http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-05-14-songs-of-love_n.htm>
- ↑ Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation. July 15, 2004. Archive of American Television Interview with Bob McGrath Part 4 of 4. January 16, 2008. <http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5795625290720105360&total=40&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=4>