Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of long-running cartoon ‘SpongeBob
SquarePants,’ has passed away. The animator and marine biologist lost his
battle with ALS on Tuesday. He was 57.
Over the last two decades, Hillenburg’s ‘Spongebob’ has
become one of the most popular characters in cartoon history, appealing to both
kids and the adults who grew up with it. The show became so popular that it has
attracted many celebrity guests to become involved. That includes top-name
musicians, who have lent their talents to the television show, as well as its
first movie and subsequent Broadway production.
In honor of Stephen Hillenburg’s work, Vinyl Bay 777, Long
Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at some of the big name musical artists
who have been a part of the ‘SpongeBob’ universe. Here are seven artists that
have either voiced characters or written music for the show and its properties.
1.
David
Bowie: David Bowie, who’s children were fans of the show, is one of the
only artists to have both voiced a character on an episode of the ‘SpongeBob
SquarePants’ TV series as well as contribute a song to the Broadway show. The
episode in question was an hour-long musical called “Atlantis SquarePantis”
which featured Bowie as Lord Royal Highness, the ruler of Atlantis. As for
Broadway, his 1995 collaboration with Brian Eno, “No Control” was chosen after
the singer gave director Tina Landau permission to use something from his
catalog.
2.
The
Flaming Lips: When it came time to
make the first ‘SpongeBob’ movie, Hillenburg was adamant about having
off-beat artists on the soundtrack. Artists like Wilco and Ween made the
cut, as well as The Flaming Lips, who provided the song “SpongeBob and Patrick
Confront the Psychic Wall of Energy.” Because of the film contribution, the
band was also asked to write a song for the Broadway musical, which became “Tomorrow
Is.”
3.
Ween: As mentioned above, Hillenburg liked off-beat
bands and Ween seems to have been an early favorite. According to an old Ween message
board, the band was asked by Hillenburg, who was inspired by their album ‘The
Mollusk,’ to write and record a song about tying shoes (“Loop de Loop”) for the
show before the cartoon ever aired. The band ended up working with ‘SpongeBob’
again, this time providing their song “Ocean Man” (from ‘The Mollusk’) for the
first movie’s soundtrack.
4.
Pantera: Another early ‘SpongeBob’ inclusion,
Pantera rearranged one of their songs for the show’s second season. The song was
“Death Rattle,” which was turned into “Pre-Hibernation,” and was included in a
montage of scenes where Sandy and SpongeBob were getting ready for Sandy’s
hibernation.
5.
Gene Simmons: Another famous metal face, Kiss
frontman Gene Simmons, also contributed to the show. Simmons lent his voice to
the character of Sea Monster during the show’s fifth season. Announcing the
part on the Kiss website
in 2007, he said “I was born for this part. I've been waiting all my life to be
a Sea Monster. It's in my blood. It's what I do. It's my job.”
6.
Dee Snider: Twisted
Sister frontman Dee Snider is apparently a big fan of ‘SpongeBob.’ Like
Simmons, he provided a voice for the show’s sixth season, playing a snail shell
salesman named Angry Jack who was far from angry (you know, until “stuff”
happens). The fandom must have been mutual, as original movie track “Goofy
Goober Rock” was supposed to be a parody of Twisted Sister’s “I Wanna Rock.”
7.
Mötorhead:
Mötorhead also had one of their tracks parodied for the first ‘SpongeBob’
movie, except the band actually recorded the track themselves. “You Better Swim”
is a reworking of “You Better Run” from ‘March ör Die.’
‘SpongeBob
SquarePants’ has been providing inspiration to fans both young and young at
heart with its wacky, off-beat nature. Such is why there have been many musical
artists (like the ones above) and actors who have jumped at the opportunity to
voice characters or contribute music to the franchise. As long as people
continue to be inspired by the show, Stephen Hillenburg’s characters will
continue to live on in television (and music) history.
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Find music from these ‘SpongeBob’-loving artists and more at
Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have
thousands of titles to choose from in an array of genres to suit most music
fans. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes,
music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at
vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time,
you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.
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