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.
Save The Last Dance For Me
Sha Na Na Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every dance with the guy
Who gives you the eye
Let him hold you tight
You can smile
Every smile for the man
Who held your hand
Beneath the pale moonlight
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darlin', save the last dance for me
Oh, I know
That the musics fine
Like sparkling wine
Go and have your fun
Laugh and sing
But while we're apart
Don't give your heart to anyone
And don't forget who's taking you home
And in whose arms you're gonna be
So darlin', save the last dance for me
Baby don't you know I love you so
Can't you feel it when we touch
I will never never let you go
I love you oh so much
You can dance
Go and carry on
Till the night is gone
And it's time to go
If he asks
If you're all alone
Can he take you home
You must tell him no
Cause don't forget who's taking you home
And in whose arm's you're gonna be
So darlin' save the last dance for me
The Sha Na Na song "Save The Last Dance For Me" tells the story of a man who is telling his loved one to enjoy herself at a dance while he is away, but to remember who will be taking her home and in whose arms she will be. The first verse advises her to dance with any man who gives her attention, but reminds her to save the last dance for him. The second verse emphasizes the importance of not giving her heart to anyone else while they are apart. The bridge of the song reveals the man's love and devotion to her, promising never to let her go.
Line by Line Meaning
You can dance
You are free to dance with anyone you want
Every dance with the guy
Each and every dance you have with someone who seems interested in you
Who gives you the eye
Whoever is showing interest in you through their gaze
Let him hold you tight
Allow him to hold you in a comforting manner
You can smile
You can smile at someone who makes you feel happy
Every smile for the man
Each and every smile intended for someone close to you
Who held your hand
The person who held your hand during a moment of intimacy
Beneath the pale moonlight
Under the serene light of the moon
But don't forget who's taking you home
Remember who will be taking you back home at the end of the day
And in whose arms you're gonna be
The man who will hold you tight in his arms
So darlin', save the last dance for me
Save the last dance of the night for me so we can dance together
Oh, I know
I am aware
That the musics fine
The music is pleasant to the ear
Like sparkling wine
It is like a fine wine that sparkles in its own way
Go and have your fun
Enjoy your time without any worries
Laugh and sing
Enjoy yourselves through laughter and music
But while we're apart
While we are away from each other
Don't give your heart to anyone
Do not give your heart away to someone else
And don't forget who's taking you home
Remember who will be taking you back home at the end of the day
And in whose arms you're gonna be
The man who will hold you tight in his arms
So darlin', save the last dance for me
Save the last dance of the night for me so we can dance together
Baby don't you know I love you so
My love for you is immeasurable
Can't you feel it when we touch
The feeling of love is evident when we are in each other's arms
I will never never let you go
I will never let you go
I love you oh so much
My love for you is immense
Baby don't you know I love you so
My love for you is immeasurable
Can't you feel it when we touch
The feeling of love is evident when we are in each other's arms
I will never never let you go
I will never let you go
I love you oh so much
My love for you is immense
You can dance
You are free to dance with anyone you want
Go and carry on
Carry on with your dancing and fun
Till the night is gone
Dance and enjoy yourself until the night is over
And it's time to go
When it is time to leave the event
If he asks
If someone shows interest in you
If you're all alone
If you are alone for the night
Can he take you home
Can he escort you back home
You must tell him no
You must decline his offer
Cause don't forget who's taking you home
Remember who will be taking you back home at the end of the day
And in whose arm's you're gonna be
The man who will hold you tight in his arms
So darlin' save the last dance for me
Save the last dance of the night for me so we can dance together
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Garry Joseph
Two words describe the voice of Denny perfectly- pure and smooth.
Deborah Douville
Great rendition of this song and every one that he sang. I love watching to these videos, bring back good memories.
gerald532009
That's Dennis Greene!! An outstanding singer, dancer who does a wonderful job on this and any song he sings!
Alex Villalta
Most if not all of these guys went on to be successful lawyers, doctors, surgeons, etc. I forget that they all started at Columbia University and all stayed in school and pursued their education. Very talented group.
unclealice
yes, they were a "novelty" act and a lot of fun, but they were also excellent musicians and vocalists
Paul Wagner
It's always funny when Donny joins in the back up dancing. Johnny, Santini, and Bowzer all have the moves down, and he's always a bit behind, watching to see what comes next.
John Benn
WOW
Wonderful sounds from an incredible group.
I'm an Aussie & didn't know anything about their music until i heard them on YouTube.
Were they very big in the USA?
Bob Campbell
John Benn Mostly to those who grew up on this type of music. Many like you learned after their time had passed to enjoy and appreciate., so their legacy will live on. Their place in music is secure.
Maureen Fricke
Bring back the greatest music ever
Linda Sheperd
That was wonderful! Thank you.