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.
The Birds And The Bees
Sha Na Na Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the flowers and the trees
And the moon up abo-ove
And a thing called lo-o-ove
Let me tell you 'bout the stars in the sky
And a girl and a guy
And the way they could ki-i-iss
When I look into your big brown eyes
Well it's so very plain to see-ee-ee-hee-ee
That it's time to learn about the facts of life
Starting from A to Zee
Let me tell you 'bout the birds and the bees
And the flowers and the trees
And the moon up abo-ove
And a thing called lo-o-ove
When I look into your big brown eyes
Well it's so very plain to see-ee-ee-hee-ee
That it's time to learn about the facts of life
Starting from A to Zee
Let me tell you 'bout the birds and the bees
And the flowers and the trees
And the moon up abo-ove
And a thing called lo-o-ove
Well let me tell you 'bout the birds and the bees
And the flowers and the trees
And the birds and the bees
And the flowers and the trees
And the birds and the bees [fade]
The lyrics of Sha Na Na's "The Birds and The Bees" are a lighthearted and playful exploration of the facts of life. The song begins by introducing the titular birds and bees, as well as the flowers and trees, and the moon above. These are all natural symbols associated with reproduction and sexuality, and by bringing them up, the song alludes to the topic of love and physical relationships.
As the song progresses, the lyrics go on to talk about stars in the sky, and a girl and a guy, as well as the way they could kiss. This is a clear indication of romantic attraction and desire, and the playful nature of the lyrics suggest that this might be a new and exciting experience for the singer.
When the singer looks into his love interest's big brown eyes, it is clear that he wants to explore the facts of life more deeply, from A to Z. This is a clear indication that the singer is ready and willing to learn about the more intimate aspects of relationships and love.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Birds and The Bees" are fun and playful, but also hint at a deeper desire for understanding and exploration when it comes to the complexities of love and sexuality.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me tell you 'bout the birds and the bees
I am going to explain sex education to you
And the flowers and the trees
I'll talk to you about the reproductive parts of plants
And the moon up abo-ove
I'll also mention the celestial body we see at night
And a thing called lo-o-ove
Love is a feeling that we'll talk about
Let me tell you 'bout the stars in the sky
I will mention the celestial bodies we see at night
And a girl and a guy
I'll talk about male and female gender roles
And the way they could ki-i-iss
I'll talk about physical intimacy between two people
On a night like thi-i-is
This particular moment is perfect for lessons on sexuality
When I look into your big brown eyes
I am addressing a younger person while teaching them sex education
Well it's so very plain to see-ee-ee-hee-ee
It's clear that there is information missing in your knowledge
That it's time to learn about the facts of life
It's time for you to learn about mature topics
Starting from A to Zee
I will cover every aspect of it
Well let me tell you 'bout the birds and the bees
I will repeat and reinforce the topic of sex education
And the flowers and the trees
I'll repeat and explain the reproductive anatomy of plants
And the birds and the bees
I'll remind you of the reproductive anatomy of animals
And the flowers and the trees
I will again talk about plant reproductive anatomy
And the birds and the bees [fade]
I'll end by repeating the main topics we've covered and fade out
Writer(s): Herbert Newman
Contributed by Carter G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bennyjazzful
WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From a mad keen 73yo Aussie fan.
@emilyhowe5638
Omg I am a nz girl and I am in love with this song
@emilyhowe5638
OMG I love this song and all of the other ones
@chriscrescitelli748
Very good song
@emilyhowe5638
Yes but very short