Sam Pottle

Sam Pottle (8 May 1934 – 4 July 1978) was an American composer, conductor, and musical director involved in many theatrical and television productions. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, he is perhaps best remembered for his work on Sesame Street and The Muppet Show, having co-written the iconic theme song for the latter. However, Sam Pottle was also involved with many theatrical productions in the 1960s and 1970s. His principal collaborators were David Axlerod and Tom Whedon, although he also worked with other lyricists.

Pottle graduated from Yale in 1955. At Yale he was president of the Yale Dramatic Association, and in 1954 he wrote the music for the Dramat's wildly successful original musical, "Stover at Yale." His father was Frederick Pottle, Sterling Professor of English at Yale.

He died on July 4, 1978 in New York City. His partner, writer Charles Choset dedicated the 1982 plays Letters to Ben and The Messiah to him. His remains were donated to medical science.

Credits

Theatre

All Kinds of Giants (off Broadway) (1961) book and lyrics by Tom Whedon Money a Musical Play for Cabaret (1963) with book and lyrics by David Axlerod and Tom Whedon The Mad Show (1966) Broadway theatre - conductor Keep Tightly Closed in a Cool Dry Place (La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, 1968) - composer Cry for Us All (Broadway, 1970) - musical supervisor

• [The Meehans (1977) - composer

Television

Sesame Street

• Musical director
• Composer
  • "Wonder Child - (with David Axlerod) 1977
  • "Fur" - (with David Axlerod) 1975
  • "Sign, You're a Friend of Mine (with David Axlerod)1974
  • "A Very Simple Dance" - (with Carol Hall) - 1974
  • "The Transylvania Polka" (with Tony Geiss) - 1974
  • "I Just Adore Four" (with Joseph A. Bailey) - 1974
  • "What's the Name of That Song?" (with David Axlerod) 1974
  • "I Want a Monster to Be My Friend" (with Robert Pierce) - 1975
  • "Counting Is Wonderful" (with Emily Kingsley and David Axlerod) - 1975
  • "Proud of Me" (with Carol Hall) - 1976
  • "Count Up To Nine" (with David Axlerod) - 1977
  • "Sing After Me" (with Tony Geiss) - 1977
  • "This Frog" (with David Axlerod) - 1977
  • "Keep Christmas With You (All Through the Year)" (with David Axlerod) - for Christmas Eve on Sesame Street, 1978
  • "I Hate Christmas" (with David Axlerod) - for Christmas Eve on Sesame Street, 1978
  • "Bus Stop" (with David Axlerod)

The Muppet Show

• Composer
  • "The Muppet Show Theme" (with Jim Henson), 1976

Other works

• • "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind" (text by John Greenleaf Whittier) for SATB choir and piano, publ. Trigon Music, 1972
• "Jabberwocky" (text from Lewis Carroll's poem of the same name) for SATB choir, piano, harpsichord and small instruments, publ. Trigon Music, 1972
  • We'll Find America (with David Axlerod) 1975

External links

• Sam Pottle at Find a Grave
• Sam Pottle at the Internet Movie Database
• Sam Pottle at the Internet Broadway Database