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.
Romeo and Juliet
Sha Na Na Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got a little something I want to do.
Gonna buy something I can ride in
Take my girl dating at the drive-in,
Our love's gonna be written down in history
Just like Romeo and Juliet
I'm gonna buy her pretty presents,
Gonna show her how much I lover her
Let her know that one way or the other,
Our love's gonna be written down in history
Just like Romeo and Juliet
Right now I'm speculating,
Wonder what to morrow's gonna really bring.
If I don't find work tomorrow
It's gonna be heartaches and sorrow,
Our love's gonna be destroyed by a tragedy
Just like Romeo and Juliet
Talk about love and romance,
Just wait till I get myself straight.
I'm gonna put Romeo's fame right smack dab outta date.
Finding a job tomorrow morning,
Got a little something I want to do.
Gonna buy something I can ride in
Take my girl dating at the drive-in,
Our love's gonna be written down in history
Just like Romeo and Juliet
The song "Romeo and Juliet" by Sha Na Na tells the story of a young man who is determined to make his love for his girlfriend last forever. The lyrics suggest that he has been experiencing financial difficulties, but he is planning to find a job the next day so that he can buy a car and take her to the drive-in movie theater for a date. He believes that their love will be remembered in history just like Romeo and Juliet's. However, the last stanza reveals that the future is uncertain, and if he fails to get a job, their love will face tragic consequences.
The first few lines in the song indicate that the singer is hopeful and ambitious. He has plans for the future and is willing to work hard to achieve them. The lyrics also highlight the importance of material possessions in romantic relationships during the period when the song was written. The young man desires to buy a car and pretty gifts for his girlfriend to show her how much he loves her. The chorus repeats that their love will be immortalized just like the famous couple from Shakespeare's play.
However, the final stanza reveals the underlying uncertainty of the future. The young man fears that his plans may not come to fruition, and his love may face tragic consequences like Romeo and Juliet's. The song's lyrics suggest that while love is powerful and enduring, external factors beyond our control can threaten its survival. The song's overall message is one of hope and ambition mixed with a sense of impending doom.
Line by Line Meaning
Finding a job tomorrow morning,
I am going to search for employment the next day.
Got a little something I want to do.
I have a small plan that I want to carry out.
Gonna buy something I can ride in
I am going to purchase a vehicle.
Take my girl dating at the drive-in,
I will take my girlfriend on a date to the drive-in theatre.
Our love's gonna be written down in history
Our love will be long-lasting and remembered forever.
Just like Romeo and Juliet
Our love will be in the same romantic and tragic vein as that of the famous couple.
I'm gonna buy her pretty presents,
I will purchase attractive gifts for my girlfriend.
Just like the ones in the catalog.
These gifts will be as good as the ones shown in catalogs.
Gonna show her how much I lover her
I will demonstrate to her the depth of my love.
Let her know that one way or the other,
I will inform her that I will always be there for her, regardless of the circumstances.
Our love's gonna be written down in history
Our love will be renowned and remembered throughout time.
Just like Romeo and Juliet
Our love story will be similar in intensity and drama to that of the iconic figures.
Right now I'm speculating,
At present, I am contemplating options and possibilities.
Wonder what to morrow's gonna really bring.
I am curious about what events the following day will bring.
If I don't find work tomorrow
If I am unsuccessful in gaining employment the following day
It's gonna be heartaches and sorrow,
I will experience emotional pain and suffering.
Our love's gonna be destroyed by a tragedy
Our love will come to an end as a result of an unfortunate event.
Just like Romeo and Juliet
Our love story will become tragic resembling the famous couple.
Talk about love and romance,
Discussions about love and romance are prevalent.
Just wait till I get myself straight.
Wait until I am in a more stable financial position.
I'm gonna put Romeo's fame right smack dab outta date.
I will supersede Romeo's celebrity status in my grand romantic gestures.
Finding a job tomorrow morning,
I am going to search for a job tomorrow morning.
Got a little something I want to do.
I have a small plan that I want to put into action.
Gonna buy something I can ride in
I am going to purchase a vehicle.
Take my girl dating at the drive-in,
I will take my girlfriend out on a date to the drive-in Movie theater.
Our love's gonna be written down in history
Our story of love and devotion will be carved in history forever.
Just like Romeo and Juliet
Our story of love and tragedy will be compared with the famous couple.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Freddie Gorman, Bob Hamilton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@charleshoag179
So glad to find this here. Johnny was so good. One of the best rock voices ever.
@spiderloac
The tv show was amazing- this song is like non stop- listen again and again- very talented group-
@honeychan7
I totally remember having this 45!! I loved this song so much as a kid! Thanks for bringing back memories and poosting this!
@pgh45rpms
Recording by the Reflections peaked at #6 in spring 1964. Sha Na Na's version 11 years later peaked at just #55
@bigdaddy28638
I think this is the best version of the song. I'm surprised it didn't get any higher. Thanks for posting it!
@MsAppassionata
No way is this the best version. They couldn’t even hold that long note at the end like Tony Micale did on the original version.
@Y2KV
Jeez, this just brought me back to early 1983. My dad gave me a copy of a Sha Na Na tape when I was nine (third grade) & this was my favorite song on it. And I haven't listened to this song since then. Thank you for helping me break an almost 30-year drought.
@radnitz58
Sweet! Loved Johnnie Contardo from his Sha Na Na days. This was one of their great covers. Thanx for putting this up!
@bigguys45s29
Peaked at No. 55 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1975.
@funnygal4u2
This was always one of my favorite songs on their album.