13 Facts About Johnny Costa

Johnny Costa learned to play accordion at age seven and was reading music three years later.

Johnny Costa graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with degrees in music and in education.

In case he failed as a musician, Johnny Costa prepared himself to teach.

Johnny Costa provided piano and organ music for many programs, eventually teaming with Fred Rogers to arrange and perform the music heard on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.

Johnny Costa stopped traveling and gave up his job as musical director of The Mike Douglas Show.

Johnny Costa returned to Pittsburgh and remained there for the rest of his life.

Johnny Costa appeared along with guitarist Joe Negri on the 1954 Ken Griffin TV series 67 Melody Lane.

Johnny Costa served as musical director, arranger, and keyboardist for the children's television series Mister Rogers' Neighborhood from the show's debut in 1968 until his death in 1996.

Rogers' choice was surprising because Johnny Costa's style was regarded as too complicated and sophisticated for a children's show.

Johnny Costa accepted the job without hesitation because it wouldn't require him to travel away from Pittsburgh, and because Rogers offered him the same amount he needed to pay his son's college tuition.

Johnny Costa believed children understood good music and that he could experiment with his own musical styles and techniques, even for a kids' show.

Johnny Costa died of aplastic anemia in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at the age of 74.

Much of Johnny Costa's music continued to be used, including the celesta music at the beginning of each episode.