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Monsters have been a recurring theme throughout the career of rock band R.E.M. In 1994, the band released their popular Monster album. Now, in their guest debut on Sesame Street, an assortment of Muppet friends join R.E.M. band members Michael Stipe, Mike Mills, and Peter Buck in a joyful musical collaboration of "Furry Happy Monsters."
The song (a takeoff on "Shiny Happy People") offers a humorous lesson in emotions. As Mike Mills observed, "At first the monsters are having a good day, then a terrible day -- then back to good again." From all accounts, it was a happy day for R.E.M. "Working with the Muppets," says Mills, "you can't help but talk to them as if they're real people. It was a lot of fun!" Peter Buck's preschool-age twins Zoe and Zelda agreed. On hand for the shoot, they were so enthralled by Elmo that they didn't notice the man pulling the strings.
R.E.M. went from a foursome to a threesome in 1997, when drummer Bill Berry left the band. So far he hasn't been replaced, but rumor has it that Herry and the Two-Headed Monster are eager to step in as rock and roll sidemen. Are they up for the gig? You be the judge. (In case you're wondering, the red-haired female Muppet singing harmony was modeled on B-52 Kate Pierson. Puppeteer Stephanie D'Abruzzo, who manipulated the Kate Monster puppet, also provided the vocal part.)
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