'Muppets' Bandleader Jack Parnell Dies at 87

According to online reports, British jazz drummer and "The Muppet Show" bandleader Jack Parnell died on Sunday at age 87 after a yearlong battle with cancer.

Jack Parnell served as the conductor for The Muppet Show orchestra for the entire run of the series. A longtime drummer and part of the "big band" movement in England in the 1940s, Parnell set up his own group, the Jack Parnell Orchestra, in 1951. In 1956, he was hired by Lord Lew Grade as musical director for the ATV broadcasting company and oversaw the music for the show "Sunday Night at the London Palladium."

In addition, he worked on specials which featured stars such as Sandy Duncan, Ann-Margret, Carol Channing, Tom Jones, Glen Campbell, and Barbra Streisand.

Parnell worked on dozens of shows, including a series spotlighting Tom Jones, in addition to The Muppet Show.

Parnell is survived by his wife, Veronica, and five children.

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