Has Elmo's voice changed over the years?

[Rugby]

Is it just me or has it changed? I've been listening to muppet radio all night and whenever an Elmo piece comes on, I can barely stand it. How did Kevin Clash morph Elmo's voice into the way it is today without us noticing right away? I like the old Elmo voice.

The current Elmo voice sounds like a variation of Howie Mandell's Bobby from Bobby's World. I don't know why, but Elmo's current voice just makes me cringe. Tell me I'm not wrong and that Elmo used to sound different.

It just seems like Kevin uses too much "bubble" in his voice when he does Elmo now. It's where you put the back of your tongue in the back of your throat and talk. It's just annoying and the pitch goes right to the bone. Anybody agree? Or am I in big trouble?

 

[zyzzybalubah]

From Elmo's bio on the S-E:

Name: Elmo
Seasons: 11 - present
Years: 1979 - present
Performers: Brian Muehl 1979-1981, Richard Hunt 1981-1985, Kevin Clash 1985-present

You probably heard one of his early performers. I agree, Clash is a bit annoying as Elmo. I mute the volume whenever his voice is on MR.

 

[practicecactus]

It's so hard to hate elmo.

 

[jeffkjoe]

Kevin Clash's Elmo sounded more scratchy in its earlier incarnations from the mid-eighties to early nineties.

Plus, his speaking skills weren't really refined yet. His English wasn't as developed: "Elmo love Linda!" as opposed to now: "Elmo loves Linda!"

Check the episode where Elmo helps Snuffy be revealed to everyone and also the clip of early Elmo and Jim Henson's Ernie singing: "One Fine Face."

 

[Kimp the Shrimp]

I REALLY THINK THAT IT CHANGED WHEN HE BECAME "THE MAN"

 

[Daffyfan4ever]

Kevin Clash's Elmo sounded more scratchy in its earlier incarnations from the mid-eighties to early nineties.

Plus, his speaking skills weren't really refined yet. His English wasn't as developed: "Elmo love Linda!" as opposed to now: "Elmo loves Linda!"

Check the episode where Elmo helps Snuffy be revealed to everyone and also the clip of early Elmo and Jim Henson's Ernie singing: "One Fine Face."

Yeah, I see what you mean. I've watched the 20th anniversary special recently and noticed that Elmo sounded slightly different than he does now. Actually, I thought "One Fine Face" was Steve's Ernie. That's what it said on the Lyrics Archive.

 

[McFraggle]

It's so hard to hate elmo.

That's not what most people say around here.

 

[froggiegirl18]

It makes sense that the voice has changed because so has the age group who now watches Sesame Street. At first I didn't like Elmo because he took the place of Big Bird..that was who I grew up with. My mind was changed after watching a clip from a dvd of him performing the voice without elmo doing "Lydia the Tatoo lady",it made me smile and now everytime I see or hear Elmo I also see Kevin..Elmo is truly his character.

 

[Erine81981]

Yeah, I see what you mean. I've watched the 20th anniversary special recently and noticed that Elmo sounded slightly different than he does now. Actually, I thought "One Fine Face" was Steve's Ernie. That's what it said on the Lyrics Archive.

Nope Jim Henson was doing Ernie in that song.

 

[Daffyfan4ever]

I see. Then they should probably change that at the archive.