10 Greatest Musician Cameos On The Simpsons
5. Tito Puente
For a great many viewers, “Who Shot Mr Burns?” was their introduction to Tito Puente. Indeed, this was true for writers Josh Weinstein and Bill Oakley, who inserted the bandleader into proceedings at the behest of fan Matt Groening.
Puente’s presence adds a spark to the episode. After Springfield Elementary strikes oil, everyone has an idea as to how their newfound riches might be spent. For Lisa, that means bringing in Tito Puente to front up the school’s musical programme.
The character is hurled straight into the Springfield ensemble, well up for leaving behind his life of world music stardom in favour of teaching, and is quickly deemed a suspect after Mr Burns, who syphons the oil Daniel Plainview-style, is shot.
Puente clears his name the only way he knows how: with a hot jazz number which he intended as his revenge against the villainous billionaire. Performed by Puente’s Latin Band, it’s one of the finest songs in the Simpsons catalogue, and that’s a high bar to clear. Wounds won’t last long, but an insulting song, Burns will always carry with him.