Danny Epstein

Music director Epstein (1925 - 2010) talked about his 35-year association with Sesame Street, managing the show's Music Services Department. Epstein, a founding member of the series creative team, talked about his service to the show which began under the guiding force of composer Joe Raposo. Epstein talked about his early years deciding on a musical career and his pre-Sesame Street association with Joe Raposo and Jim Henson. He detailed several aspects of the production of the initial five pilots of the series and how during the early years of the show he was told to "keep his day job" since the series' future was uncertain. He talked about the research that went into the show, the so-called "Madison Avenue format" of 30 and 60-second pieces, and the relationship between the research and music departments. He discussed several of the most well-known songs which were written for the series including the series theme song, "Bein' Green," "Sing," and "Rubber Duckie."  The interview was conducted in New York City by Karen Herman on July 20, 2004.