Musical Guests on The Cosby Show
Sitcom hosted Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys and others.
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Musical Guests on The Cosby Show - Sept. 20 marks the 30th anniversary of the groundbreaking family TV sitcom The Cosby Show. Along with showcasing the classic comedic observations of Bill Cosby and his TV clan the Huxtables, the iconic program was also famous for its list of music stars who've appeared on the show. Click on to see the most memorable of the sitcom's musical guests.(Photo: NBC)
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Sammy Davis Jr. - Trailblazing entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. made his Cosby Show appearance in 1989, playing the free-spirited grandfather Ray Palomino. In the episode, the Cos had to convince Ray to give his teenage granddaughter (and mother-to-be) some moral support.(Photo: NBC)
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Dizzy Gillespie - The talents of jazz pioneer Dizzy Gillespie were called upon for the '84 episode "Play It Again, Vanessa." When Cosby's TV daughter number three has trouble learning the clarinet for a recital, music teacher Mr. Hampton (Gillespie) is brought in to help polish her skills.(Photo: NBC)
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B.B. King - When Theo was having trouble unleashing his blues about a girlfriend, who's about to take off for graduate school, Heath and Clair invite blues legend Riley Jackson (played by real life blues legend B.B. King) to the house to help their son tap into his musical soul.(Photo: NBC)
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Lena Horne - Daddy Heathcliff gets a suprise for his birthday when he's taken to a concert of singing icon Lena Horne, who proceeds to sing the birthday boy a special song just for him.(Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
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Joe Williams - The Huxtables not only had famous friends on the show, but famous relatives as well, especially momma Clair. When her father Al Hanks visits for the '85 episode "Clair's Sister," it's none other than the jazz singing giant Joe Williams.(Photo: NBC)
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Alicia Keys - Before becoming a music superstar, Alicia Keys made her TV debut as a child actor in 1985 on The Cosby Show. Playing one of Rudy's friends over for a slumber party, Alicia famously gets a rodeo ride on Bill Cosby's knee.(Photo: NBC)
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Tito Puente - The Huxtables rolled out an all-star jazz fest for the episode "Play It Again, Russell," where Cliff's father has to brush up on his trombone playing skills before a gig with his band. And the troupe is filled with master musicians, from drummer Art Blakey to the iconic Latin jazz percussionist Tito Puente.(Photo: David Corio/Redferns)
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Miriam Makeba - Groundbreaking South African music star Miriam Makeba visited The Cosby Show in 1991. While talking to little Olivia (Raven-Symoné), the singing legend and anti-apartheid activist dispensed wisdom about the click-heavy language of her tribe, the Xhosa.(Photo: NBC)
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Stevie Wonder - Stevie Wonder brought his impromptu music-making skills to The Cosby Show when he invited the Huxtables down to his studio during the 1986 episode "A Touch of Wonder." Including the family in his recording session, Wonder got such sampled gems as Bill Cosby uttering the word "ba-ba-baby" and Theo's ode to hip hop ("j-j-jammin' on the one").(Photo: NBC)