With the release of The Simpsons Movie we wanted to look back at some of the musicians who performed on the show over the years and to highlight some the most memorable musical moments. Pop music and rock ‘n’ roll has always been a staple of the show – from bands appearing on the show, songs being played in various episodes or to quotes from lyrics that show up.

Some of the artists who have appeared on the show include: Tony Bennett, Tracey Ullman, Ringo Starr, Aerosmith, Sting, Spinal Tap, Tom Jones, Linda Ronstadt, Barry White, David Crosby, Bette Midler, Red Hot Chili Peppers, David Crosby, George Harrison, The Ramones, James Brown, Robert Goulet, James Taylor, Tito Puente, Paul & Linda McCartney, Paul Anka, Cypress Hill, Smashing Pumpkins, Peter Frampton, Sonic Youth, Johnny Cash, Hank Wiliams, Jr., U2, The Moody Blues, Cyndi Lauper, Dolly Parton, Elton John, The B-52s, NRBQ, Randy Bachman and C.F. Turner (of B.T.O.), Clarence Clemons, Shawn Colvin, Britney Spears, The Who, *NSYNC, Shawn Colvin, R.E.M., Phish, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Elvis Costello, Brian Setzer, Tom Petty, Lenny Kravitz, Little Richard, Blink 182, David Byrne, Jackson Browne, Mary-Kate Olsen, Ashley Olsen, 50 Cent, Baha Men, Los Lobos, Metallica, The White Stripes, and 50 Cent.

We went searching around YouTube for some of these memorable moments and found more than a few that we dug. So, sit back and check these out. And while you’re watching these think about some of your most memorable musical Simpsons moments and submit them to us.

The White Stripes
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/eJ8c8mYLihM" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Tito Puente
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/pv-i7ppqhxM" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

The Ramones
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/BCD7Fh1MTdo" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

James Brown
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/QdGyR_5ufOE" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

R.E.M. plays in Homer’s garage
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/ko2XKJ5iZgs" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Homer smokes pot, sings Deep Purple, and sees Phish
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/bE6tYz9w6pQ" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

U2
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/jIw9I34Tx-c" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Metallica
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/L8wTk6H56-E" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Smashing Pumpkins
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/Jt70yEId5a4" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Cypress Hill & Peter Frampton from “Homerpalooza”
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/FUe_GuB_sDE" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

50 Cent
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/Gi5vfzTNtjs" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Here are some related links:
The Simpsons Archive – Music featured on the Simpsons
Great Simpsons musical moments