The group began singing as part of the longstanding Columbia University a cappella group "Kingsmen", but the ensemble changed their name due to the popularity of the Pacific Northwest rock band of the same name (see: "The Kingsmen"). Conceived by George Leonard, then a graduate student in Humanities, Sha Na Na began performing in 1969, at the height of the hippie counterculture. The guys achieved national fame after playing at the Woodstock Festival, where they preceded Jimi Hendrix. In fact, the ever friendly and genial Hendrix stuck out his neck for the group, insisting the band be allowed to take the stage even after festival’s promoters wanted to cut them from the bill at the last minute, and Sha Na Na members have since credited him for 'saving' them from obscurity almost single-handed.
Their ninety-second appearance in the popular Woodstock concert film brought the group national attention, and they were a part of the 50s nostalgia craze of the era. Similar artists both in the Americas and in the U.K. appeared (examples being Alvin Stardust and Gary Glitter). The Broadway musical 'Grease' and the TV show 'Happy Days' both also displayed the same ethos as Sha Na Na.
The degree to which their act was truly nostalgic, as opposed to the degree to which it was "invented nostalgia" for joking purposes has been called into question. Still, the group appeared in the movie 'Grease' (based off of the musical of the same name) as "Johnny Casino & The Gamblers", gaining them even more attention. Sha Na Na was also successful with the hit syndicated television show of the same name that the guys did from 1977 to 1982. The program featured guests with much 70s fame such as soul and funk star James Brown and the popular punk band Ramones; musicians from rock & roll's golden era such as Little Richard and Chubby Checker also appeared.
The original band line-up featured twelve performers: Alan Cooper (bass vocals), Rob Leonard (vocals), Frederick 'Denny' Greene (vocals), Henry Gross (guitar), John 'Jocko' Marcellino (drums), Joe Witkin (piano), Scott Powell aka Captain Outrageous aka Tony Santini (vocals), Donald 'Donny' York (vocals), Elliot Cahn aka 'Gino', (rhythm guitar), Rich Joffe (vocals), Dave Garrett (vocals) and Bruce 'Bruno' Clarke. The act has often involved three "up front" dancers/singers in gold lamé and the other nine in "greaser attire", such as rolled up t-shirt sleeves, leather jackets, tank tops, et cetera. During their long-running career, the ensemble has gone through multiple line-up changes. Most recently, co-founder John 'Jocko' Marcellino has served as the group's central frontman. Their latest release is 2013's 'Sha Na Na Greaser High School Hop', with them still touring even decades upon decades after their foundation.
Also that year, Sha Na Na was notably a part of the "Grease Sing-A-Long" event, which is held annually at the Hollywood Bowl. During the 35th anniversary of the beloved movie, they performed several of their tracks from the work's famous soundtrack. "This has become a family event," Marcellino remarked, "They all come dressed up greased with their Pink Lady outfits on, their T-Birds leather jackets, and it’s fabulous that a fourth generation is learning these songs and loving these songs."
Examples of former members:
Vinnie Taylor (1949 - 1974) (real name Chris Donald), who replaced Henry Gross as the lead guitarist in 1970, died from a heroin overdose on April 17, 1974, after a concert at University Hall at the University of Virginia.[citation needed] He was found in a Holiday Inn hotel room in Charlottesville, Virginia.[citation needed]
Former Sha Na Na bass player, from their television show lineup, Dave "Chico" Ryan, died in 1998.
Former Sha Na Na guitarist, from their television show lineup, Danny "Dirty Dan" McBride, died in 2009.
Founding member of the band Robert Leonard is a professor of linguistics at Hofstra University, and had an appearance as a qualified expert in linguistics for the murder case of Charlene Hummert in the episode "A Tight Leash" of the TV medical detectives series Forensic Files in 2004.[citation needed]
The group's first guitarist, Henry Gross, went on to become a solo performer, and had a hit single with "Shannon" in 1976. Another founding member, Alan Cooper, the lead singer in the group's performance of "At the Hop" in the Woodstock film, also went on to an academic career. He taught religious studies for ten years at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, was a professor of Bible studies at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, and now serves as the Elaine Ravich Professor of Jewish Studies and provost at the Jewish Theological Seminary.[citation needed]
Long time member Jon "Bowzer" Bauman replaced Alan Cooper and became a recognizable member of the group as he taunted audiences while he flexed his muscles, burped and spat in the direction of the bass player. For two years in 1983 and 1984 he served as the host of the game show Hollywood Squares between the retirement of longtime host Peter Marshall and the last host John Davidson. Today, Bowzer continues to tour under his own banner.
Elliot Cahn, the group's original rhythm guitar player and musical arranger, later became the first manager of Green Day. "Screaming" Scott Simon replaced Joe Witkin, the original keyboard player (and singer of Teenager in Love on their first album). Today, Witkin is an emergency room physician living with his family in San Diego, California and playing with a band called "The Corvettes"[3] doing an oldies revue. Witkin's son, Brian Witkin, went on to become the founder of Pacific Records.
Joe Witkin left the band in 1970 to finish medical school, and subsequently moved to San Diego in 1975 to do his internship and residency at the University of California in San Diego. He worked at Scripps Hospital East County from 1978 to 2000 as an ER physician, and currently holds the same position at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa.
Scott Powell today is a specialist in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine.[4] He performed on the TV show under the stage name "Santini" (which he changed from his previous alias, "Captain Outrageous"). Powell left the band in 1980 and returned to Columbia to take pre-medical courses.[citation needed] He is a member of the medical staff of U.S. national soccer teams, and is the team physician for the Federation Women’s National Team and an associate clinical professor at USC.[citation needed] While Powell was with Sha Na Na, he sang the bulk of the Elvis revival songs.
Frederick "Denny" Greene left the group to pursue studies in law.[citation needed] After graduating from Yale Law School, he became the vice president of production and features at Columbia Pictures.[citation needed] He is currently a professor at the University of Dayton. Greene was known for his skilled dancing, and sang the lead in "Tears on My Pillow", "Duke of Earl" and others.
Bruce "Bruno" Clarke is now a professor of English at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.
Alley-Oop
Sha Na Na Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Alley Oop Oop, Oop, Oop, Oop
There′s a man in the funny papers, we all know
Alley Oop Oop, Oop, Oop, Oop
He lived way back a long time ago
Alley Oop, Oop, Oop, Oop Oop
He don't eat nothin′ but a bear cat stew
Alley Oop, Oop, Oop, Oop Oop
Alley Oop, Oop, Oop, Oop, Oop
He's got a chauffeur that′s a genuine dinosaur
Alley Oop, Oop, Oop, Oop, Oop
And he can knuckle your head before you count to four
Alley Oop, Oop, Oop, Oop Oop
He′s got a big ugly club and a head full of hair, air
Alley Oop Oop, Oop, Oop Oop
A-like a great big lion and grizzly bear
Alley Oop, Oop, Oop, Oop Oop
Alley Oop, he's the toughest man there is alive
Alley Oop, wearin′ clothes from a wild cat's hide
Alley Oop, he′s the king of the jungle jive
Look at that cave man go
He rides through the jungle tearin' limbs off a tree
Alley Oop Oop, Oop, Oop Oop
Knockin′ great big monsters dead on their knees
Alley Oop Oop, Oop, Oop Oop
The cats don't bug him 'cause they know better
Alley Oop Oop, Oop, Oop Oop
′Cause he′s a mean motor scooter and a bad go getter
Alley Oop Oop, Oop, Oop Oop
Alley Oop, he's the toughest man there is alive
Alley Oop, wearin′ clothes from a wild cat's hide
Alley Oop, he′s the king of the jungle jive
Look at that cave man go
Alley Oop Oop, Oop, Oop Oop
(There he goes)
Alley Oop Oop, Oop, Oop Oop
(A look at that cave man go)
Alley Oop Oop, Oop, Oop Oop
(He sure is hip, ain't he?)
Alley Oop Oop, Oop, Oop Oop
(Like what′s happening)
Alley Oop Oop, Oop, Oop Oop
(Ride, Alley, ride)
Alley Oop Oop, Oop, Oop Oop
(Hi-yo dinosaur)
Alley Oop Oop, Oop, Oo
"Alley-Oop" is a song by the American doo-wop group, Sha Na Na. It was written by Dallas Frazier and was originally performed by The Hollywood Argyles, an American group comprising Gary Paxton, Kim Fowley, and Sandy Nelson. The song is about a comic strip character named Alley Oop, who is portrayed as a prehistoric, caveman-like figure with extraordinary strength and agility. The lyrics describe Alley Oop's unique abilities and adventures, from his ability to tear limbs off of trees to knocking down great big monsters. The hilarious storyline of the song is one of the reasons why it became very popular in its time.
Alley Oop is a legendary comic strip character created by V.T. Hamlin, which ran from 1932 to 1971. The character appeared in hundreds of newspapers, making him a cultural icon of his time. His character is depicted as a caveman with strong abilities, power, and strength, which is the basis of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Oop Oop, Oop, Oop, Oop
Chant indicating anticipation and excitement
Alley Oop Oop, Oop, Oop, Oop
Referring to the hero of the song, Alley Oop
There's a man in the funny papers, we all know
Introduction of the comic strip character, Alley Oop
He lived way back a long time ago
Implying that Alley Oop is from prehistoric times
He don't eat nothin' but a bear cat stew
Describing Alley Oop's diet as primitive and consisting of wild animals
Well, and this cat's name is a Alley Oop
Reiterating the name and character of Alley Oop
He's got a chauffeur that's a genuine dinosaur
Indicating that Alley Oop has a dinosaur as his mode of transportation
And he can knuckle your head before you count to four
Implying that Alley Oop is strong and can fight quickly
He's got a big ugly club and a head full of hair, air
Describing Alley Oop's appearance as caveman-like with a club and wild hair
A-like a great big lion and grizzly bear
Comparing Alley Oop to fierce animals like a lion and bear
Alley Oop, he's the toughest man there is alive
Stating that Alley Oop is strong and unbeatable
Alley Oop, wearin' clothes from a wild cat's hide
Describing Alley Oop's attire as animalistic and primitive
Alley Oop, he's the king of the jungle jive
Indicating that Alley Oop is skilled and cool
Look at that cave man go
Expressing admiration for Alley Oop's abilities and skills
He rides through the jungle tearin' limbs off a tree
Describing Alley Oop's strength and lack of concern for the environment
Knockin' great big monsters dead on their knees
Showing that Alley Oop is fearless and strong enough to defeat huge creatures
The cats don't bug him 'cause they know better
Implying that even animals respect and fear Alley Oop
Cause he's a mean motor scooter and a bad go getter
Describing Alley Oop as strong, fast, and skilled
Alley Oop, he's the toughest man there is alive
Reiterating that Alley Oop is the strongest person alive
Alley Oop, wearin' clothes from a wild cat's hide
Repeating the description of Alley Oop's clothing
Alley Oop, he's the king of the jungle jive
Repeating the sentiment that Alley Oop is cool and skilled
Look at that cave man go
Repeating the admiration for Alley Oop's abilities and skills
There he goes
Affirming that Alley Oop is leaving or doing something impressive
He sure is hip, ain't he?
Reiterating the idea that Alley Oop is cool and skilled
Like what's happening
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm for the events being described
Ride, Alley, ride
Encouraging Alley Oop to continue on his impressive journey
Hi-yo dinosaur
Cheering on Alley Oop and his dinosaur transportation
Alley Oop Oop, Oop, Oop Oop
Repeating the chant in celebration of Alley Oop's skills and abilities
Writer(s): Dallas Frazier
Contributed by Hailey S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kátia Camila
Great tune! Thanks for sharing and thank you so much to all Sha-Na-Na group for everything! Warm greetings from Brazil!
Jeff Thiedeman
Always loved this group...
David B. Davis
I will always be a fan of Sha Na Na but Ginger is the one I want to go native with.😂
Lisa Koffler
Really? I didn't like how she treated the guys in the car scenes!
vincentfromia
I saw this line-up in concert years ago. Great show and hardest working act in show business. I sure missed Dirty Dan when he left. Any idea why> I did notice that he'd gained some weight by then time he came through with the group - always wondered if there were any health issues. Thanks so much for posting these clips.
AllRequired
@Lisa Koffler Had to happen.
Lisa Koffler
BOTH Danny and Chico are now deceased.
Lisa Koffler
I wasn't expecting a skit like this, and I couldn't stop laughing!
Caboose
I'm a 90's kid, my mother new I was an old so because of my love for the oldie doo-waps... she introduced Sha Na Na and I still love them.
Steven Baer
I always love Sha Sha Na those lovable greasers from the past. How many of them actually still alive and also sadly how many of them actually went to the singing group in the sky? I watched them on TV with my dad in the 1970s. They know how to sing with a comedy show mixed together. I love how Bowser always do his thing; mouth opened, head tilted back, and his fists in the air.