You know the song. You probably even know the hand gestures—right elbow in left hand, left elbow in right hand, waving like a frantic, happy little windmill.
"Skinnamarinky dinky dink, skinnamarinky doo..."
For millions of us, that wasn’t just a song; it was a security blanket. And at the center of it, with that wide, infectious smile and a voice that felt like a warm hug, was Sharon Hampson. Most of us just know her as "Sharon from Sharon, Lois and Bram." She was the one who always seemed like she was having the most fun, the one who looked at the camera as if she were looking right at you.
Honestly, it’s rare for a children’s entertainer to stay relevant for over 45 years. But Sharon didn't just play a character. She was—and still is—the real deal.
Who is Sharon Hampson, really?
Before the giant elephant and the Nickelodeon fame, Sharon was a folk singer. Born in Toronto in 1943, she grew up in a house where music wasn't just a hobby; it was how you communicated. Her mother actually saved up 50-cent pieces just to buy her a piano. Can you imagine that? That kind of grit stays with you.
By 17, she was singing in coffeehouses. She was part of that gritty, cool Toronto folk scene in the 60s, rubbing shoulders with the types of musicians who cared more about the soul of a song than a paycheck.
Eventually, she met Lois Lilienstein and Bram Morrison through a program called "Mariposa in the Schools." They weren't looking to become superstars. They just wanted to make music for kids that didn't sound like... well, garbage. They borrowed $22,000 from friends and family to record One Elephant, Deux Éléphants in 1978. Most people told them they were crazy.
They were wrong.
The Elephant in the Room (and on the Screen)
If you were a kid in the 80s or 90s, The Elephant Show was appointment viewing. It was weird, eclectic, and somehow sophisticated. They didn't pander. They played jazz, calypso, and folk. They treated kids like they had actual taste.
Sharon was often the emotional anchor. While Bram brought the guitar chops and Lois brought the classical piano flair, Sharon had this incredible ability to harmonize that she’d picked up in her folk days. She was actually the only one in the trio with real harmony experience at first.
But it wasn't always easy. People think being a children’s star is all puppets and rainbows. In reality, it was a grueling schedule of touring and filming.
Then life happened.
Lois retired from touring in 1998 after her husband passed away, and then she sadly died of cancer in 2015. It could have been the end. Many groups would have folded. But Sharon and Bram kept going. They knew the music meant too much to too many people to just stop.
Sharon’s Battle and Resilience
Here is something most people don't realize about Sharon Hampson: she is a fighter.
She’s a three-time breast cancer survivor. She didn't just "get through it," either. She used her platform to found Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada. She’s been incredibly open about using "resilience and optimism as a springboard." When you see her on stage today, performing with her daughter Randi, you’re seeing a woman who has stared down the hardest parts of life and decided to keep singing anyway.
It's kinda beautiful, right?
She lost her husband, Joe Hampson (who was in the legendary folk group The Travellers), and she lost her dear friend Lois. Yet, her message remains "Skinnamarink." It’s about love. Simple, uncomplicated, "I love you in the morning and in the afternoon" love.
Where is Sharon from Sharon, Lois and Bram now?
Bram officially retired from touring in 2019. He’s still around, still contributing to recordings, but he’s done with the life on the road.
So, did Sharon stop? Nope.
She teamed up with her daughter, Randi Hampson. Randi had been the "secret weapon" for years, writing books and producing albums for the trio. Now, they perform as a duo. They do these "Singalong" shows that aren't just for kids. They’re for the 40-year-olds who need to feel like they’re six again.
Why we still care in 2026
It’s about the "un-slickness" of it all. In a world of Cocomelon and hyper-processed YouTube kids' content, Sharon represents "handmade" music.
- Real instruments.
- Real voices.
- No auto-tune.
- Just human connection.
She’s still active on social media, too. Their TikTok has millions of views because Gen Z and Millennials rediscovered the "Skinnamarink" dance during the pandemic. It became a way to tell people you loved them when you couldn't hug them.
The Legacy of the "Skinnamarink"
Sharon’s career isn't just about nostalgia. It’s about the fact that she never "dumbed it down." She insisted on high standards. She spent the money to hire the best arrangers and the best session musicians in Toronto.
She also spent decades as a UNICEF ambassador. She wasn't just a face on a box; she actually went to the United Nations. She pushed for child immunizations. She pushed for school breakfast programs.
She basically spent her whole life trying to make the world a bit softer for children.
What you can do to keep the music alive
If you’re feeling that itch of nostalgia, don't just leave it in the past.
- Check out the "Sharon & Randi" live singalongs if they come to your city; they’re surprisingly emotional.
- Dig into the old albums like Smorgasbord or Singing 'n' Swinging. The musicianship is actually incredible.
- Teach the "Skinnamarink" signs to a kid in your life. It’s a literal piece of cultural history that still works.
Sharon Hampson is 82 now. She’s still wearing the colorful vests. She’s still waving those elbows. And honestly? We’re lucky to have her. She reminds us that even when the world gets loud and complicated, you can always go back to the morning, and the afternoon, and the evening, and underneath the moon.
You just have to remember to sing.