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.
Party Lights
Sha Na Na Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pa-a-a-a-a-r-ty
(They're red and blue and green)
Li-i-ghts
(Everybody in the crowd is there)
Mama, I wanna go, go, go
(Please let me make the scene)
Go, go, go, yeah, yeah, yeah
Well, Mama dear, oh, tell me, do you hear
They're partying tonight
I tell you, I can't sleep, because across the street
Oh-oh-ooh, I see the party lights
I see the lights, I see the party lights
They're red and blue and green
Oh, everybody in the crowd is there
But you won't let me make the scene
Well, Mama dear, oh look-a here, oh dear
There goes Mary Lou
I see Tommy and Joe, oh-oh, and Betty and Sue
Oh-oh-oh-oh, there goes my boyfriend too
I see the lights, I see the lights, I see the party lights
They're red and blue and green
Oh, everybody in the crowd is there
But you won't let me make the scene
Ah, listen to the party, Mama
Hey, Mama dear, a-look-a here, oh dear
I'm feeling, oh, so blue
They're doin' the twist, the fish, the mashed potatoes too
I'm here a-lookin' at you
I see the lights, I see the lights, I see the party lights
They're red and blue and green
Why, everybody in the crowd is there
But you won't let me make the scene
They're doin' the fish, they're doin' the twist
The watusi, the mashed potatoes
I see the lights, I see the lights
They're doin' the bop, I wanna go
(Mama, Mama, Mama)
I wanna go, I wanna go
(I see the lights, I see the party lights)
The song "Party Lights" by Sha Na Na was part of their self-titled debut album released in 1971. The song is a plea to Mama to let the singer go to a party where there are bright and colorful lights, and everyone is there, including the singer's boyfriend. Mama is hesitant to let the singer go, but the singer insists and begs for permission to go. The song's verses describe the various dance moves, including twist, fish, mashed potatoes, and bop. The chorus reiterates the singer's desire to go to the party and see the lights.
The song's lyrics are simple but nostalgic, evoking the energy and excitement of a youthful party. The song, along with Sha Na Na's other early hits, helped popularize 1950s rock and roll music in the 1970s. The song's upbeat tempo, catchy chorus, and danceable rhythm make it a classic party song to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Party lights, I see the party lights
I notice the colorful lights that indicate the presence of a celebration.
They're red and blue and green
The lights are made up of red, blue, and green colors.
Everybody in the crowd is there
All the individuals who want to join the festivities have gathered in one place.
Mama, I wanna go, go, go
I desire to be a part of the party and to have fun.
Please let me make the scene
Kindly allow me to participate in the celebration and be seen enjoying it.
Well, Mama dear, oh, tell me, do you hear
Mother, I am curious if you can perceive the sounds coming from the gathering.
They're partying tonight
The individuals at the festivity are reveling and making merry this night.
I tell you, I can't sleep, because across the street
I am sleepless because the party happening across the street is too noisy and alluring for me to ignore.
Oh-oh-ooh, I see the party lights
I can clearly visualize the dazzling lights emanating from the ongoing celebration.
But you won't let me make the scene
However, you are not willing to permit me to attend the party and participate in the joyous atmosphere.
Well, Mama dear, oh look-a here, oh dear
Mother, please pay attention to me.
There goes Mary Lou
I can see Mary Lou, who attends the party, from where I am.
I see Tommy and Joe, oh-oh, and Betty and Sue
Tommy, Joe, Betty, and Sue are among the individuals at the festivity, and I can identify them from here.
Oh-oh-oh-oh, there goes my boyfriend too
I spotted my boyfriend present in the party, engaged and enjoying himself.
Ah, listen to the party, Mama
Just hear it, mother, people are singing, dancing and having a good time effectively.
Hey, Mama dear, a-look-a here, oh dear
Mother dear, please have a glance my way.
I'm feeling, oh, so blue
I'm feeling sad and lonely because I'm being kept from joining the party.
They're doin' the twist, the fish, the mashed potatoes too
The party-goers are dancing to a variety of popular dance styles.
I'm here a-lookin' at you
I'm here, staring at you to convey my heartache at not being allowed to attend the celebration.
They're doin' the fish, they're doin' the twist
People are enthusiastically dancing to the popular dances.
The watusi, the mashed potatoes
The party-goers are enjoying themselves by dancing the Watusi and the mashed potatoes.
I see the lights, I see the lights
I can still visually identify the vibrant lights emanating from the festivity.
They're doin' the bop, I wanna go
The people present at the celebration are now dancing the Bop, and I still want to participate in the fun.
(Mama, Mama, Mama)
Mother, can I go to the party, please?
I wanna go, I wanna go
I am excited to be a part of the festivity.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Claudine Clark
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pukivuki45
I ve listened this many many timws nowadays its them at their best
@user-uv5fp9uv2v
Amazing version
@pukivuki45
this and vote song beautiful doo_wop
@kriscillamatusawicz3049
I JUST LOVE THIS SONG...IT REMINDS ME OF GOING TO THE CARNIVAL I USED TO GO TO NEAR MY PARENTS HOUSE...I JUST LOVE THE WAY JOHNNY SINGS THIS TOO...LOL❣❣❣
@awakendsails7148
🤩
@gregmurphy2020
Thanks for sharing 😍😍 from the 75 album!!! You have more???
@bkm160
What do you want?
@gregmurphy2020
@@bkm160 thanks for answer! If you have "breaking up is hard to do", "Shanghaied ","chills down my spine" and "only light on my horizon" that would have been amazing!
@bkm160
@@gregmurphy2020 Breaking up is hard to do is there now. I'll look for "Only Light on My Horizon"!
@gregmurphy2020
@@bkm160 you are amazing