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.
Tears on My Pillow
Sha Na Na Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I remember you 'twas not so long ago
You broke my heart in two
Tears on my pillow, pain in my heart
Caused by you, you
If we could start anew, I wouldn't hesitate
I'd gladly take you back, and tempt the hands of fate
Tears on my pillow, pain in my heart
Caused by you, you, you, you, you
Love is not a gadget, love is not a toy
When you find the one you love
He'll fill your heart with joy
If we could start anew, I wouldn't hesitate
I'd gladly take you back, and tempt the hands of fate
Tears on my pillow, pain in my heart
Caused by you, you
No, no no no now, no, no no
You
In Sha Na Na's song "Tears on My Pillow," the singer reflects on a past relationship that ended with heartbreak. The lyrics suggest that the other person may not even remember the singer, but the pain caused by the breakup is still fresh in their mind. The tears on the singer's pillow and the pain in their heart were all caused by the other person. However, despite this pain, the singer would still take the chance to start anew with their ex, showing a sense of hope and willingness to forgive.
The lyrics also touch on the idea that love is not just a casual fling or temporary pleasure; it is a serious, deep emotion that can bring both joy and pain. The singer recognizes that true love is not a "gadget" or a "toy" but rather something much more profound. Ultimately, the song is a bittersweet reflection on lost love and the longing for second chances.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't remember me
I still remember you even though you seem to have forgotten me.
But I remember you 't was not so long ago
It was not too long ago when we were together, and even though you've forgotten me, I still remember you.
You broke my heart in two
You hurt me so deeply that, metaphorically speaking, my heart was split in two.
Tears on my pillow, pain in my heart, caused by you, you
I'm crying at night, feeling hurt inside, and it's all because of you.
If we could start anew, I wouldn't hesitate
If we had another chance to be together, I wouldn't think twice about taking it.
I'd gladly take you back, and tempt the hands of fate
I would happily reconcile with you, even if it meant challenging fate and the possibility of getting hurt again.
Love is not a gadget, love is not a toy
Love is not something that can be played with or easily discarded like a toy or gadget.
When you find the one you love, he'll fill your heart with joy
When you find someone you truly love, they will bring happiness and contentment to your heart.
Tears on my pillow, pain in my heart
I continue to cry and feel pain because of what you have done to me.
No, no no no now, no, no no
Expressing the artist's disapproval of what happened and their desire for it to not have happened.
You, you
Reinforcing that it is specifically this person who has caused the singer so much pain and hurt.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Sylvester Bradford, Al Lewis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Phil Chigges
These guys appreciated 50s so much they really did it right.
Derek Llewellyn
It's looks like gaslight theater in new show on doing live concert in 45th years and 40th years 4th anniversary celebration party years documenty biography VIP tickets tour guide Legends of view of the same place looks like new DVD releases review history of power 50s
john thrussell
Great version they all got great voices
Rodrigo R.
Que combinação de vozes incrível
Derek Llewellyn
Joey King she was Chrisne Joey King conjuring movie part in doing same 70s 2013 as well as hollywood mail on Android accounts from hollywood movies show TV show on doing live concert
Lemmy Cash
R.I.P. Chico ,Danny and Denny harmonizing in heaven
Josh Begandy
Gotta add Lennie in there too. The Bigger Guy in the White Tank Top doing the Hand Motions. He passed away in '16. Rest In Peace Sir 🙏🏼
Fred Simmons
Yes! One Time for the Brother in Sha Na Na! Love it!
ReCONN SUPERNATURAL SYNDICATE Spirit Investigations
I met Denny Greene at Yale University in the late 80s along w his daughter. They were both studying law ! So cool to meet him!
Peremalfait
Denny went on to become a law professor, which is pretty cool.