Moondog, born Louis Thomas Hardin, was an American composer, musician, and poet celebrated for his innovative blend of jazz, classical, Native American, and Latin American music. Largely self-taught, he became known for his unique rhythmic and contrapuntal style, which influenced prominent minimalist composers such as Steve Reich and Philip Glass. Blinded in his teens, Moondog spent decades in New York City, often found on Sixth Avenue performing his music and poetry. His striking appearance in a cloak and horned helmet earned him the nickname “the Viking of Sixth Avenue,” making him a memorable figure in the city’s arts scene.