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.
Why Do Fools Fall in Love
Sha Na Na Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why do birds sing so gay
And lovers await the break of day
Why do they fall in love
Why does the rain fall from up above
Why do fools fall in love
Love is a losing game
Love can be a shame
I know of a fool you see
That fool is me
Why do fools fall in love?
Why do birds sing so gay
And lovers await the break of day
Why do they fall in love
Why does the rain fall from up above
Why do fools fall in love
Why do they fall in love
Why does my heart skip this crazy beat
Because it knows
It will reach defeat
Tell me why, tell me why
Why do fools fall in love?
Sha Na Na's song "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" is a classic that explores the age-old question of why people fall in love. The first two lines of the song, "Why do birds sing so gay / And lovers await the break of day," set the romantic and whimsical tone of the song. The lyrics immediately evoke an image of two lovers lying in bed, watching the sunrise together.
The chorus of the song asks the titular question: "Why do fools fall in love?" The use of the word "fools" adds a touch of self-deprecation, suggesting that the singer acknowledges that falling in love can be foolish and even painful. The following lines, "Love is a losing game / Love can be a shame," reinforce this idea. Despite these potential pitfalls, the singer can't help but ask the question, "Why do they fall in love?"
As the song progresses, the singer reveals that they, themselves, are a "fool" in love: "I know of a fool you see / That fool is me." The final lines of the song ask another question that many people in love may relate to: "Why does my heart skip this crazy beat / Because it knows / It will reach defeat / Tell me why, tell me why / Why do fools fall in love?"
Overall, the song presents love as a force that is beyond human understanding, something that can be both wonderful and painful. The lyrics and melody come together to create an emotional and timeless love song that has been enjoyed by generations.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do birds sing so gay
What is the reason behind the joyful singing of birds?
And lovers await the break of day
What motivates lovers to eagerly await the start of a new day?
Why do they fall in love
What causes people to fall in love with each other?
Why does the rain fall from up above
What is the explanation for the rain that falls from the sky?
Why do fools fall in love
What is the reason why foolish individuals fall in love?
Why do they fall in love
What causes people to fall in love with each other?
Love is a losing game
The game of love is one in which you are likely to lose.
Love can be a shame
Love is capable of being shameful at times.
I know of a fool you see
Allow me to introduce you to a foolish person I know of.
That fool is me
I am the one who is foolish.
Why does my heart skip this crazy beat
What is the cause of my heart skipping an irregular beat?
Because it knows
Because it is aware.
It will reach defeat
It will eventually suffer defeat.
Tell me why, tell me why
Please explain to me the reason behind this occurrence.
Why do fools fall in love?
What is the reason why foolish individuals fall in love?
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MORRIS LEVY, FRANKIE LYMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Heidi Myers
I wish they had put Denny in the lead more often. Wonderful voice, cute, and great choreography!!!
gerald532009
Thank you!
Jessica Allen
He was my mom's favorite singer of the group. ( she since passed) She used to take me all the time to their shows at the music circus in the late 70s/ early 80s
Olive Poola
Fantastic voice!!
Rama Dama
Good rendition of a fabulous song
Lois Riley
Hey Jules, what fun we had with these guys for so many years... and STILL. Denny was always protective of you. Well they finally got all of us to dance with them on stage, even up to a few years ago.
Christian Edwards
R.I.P. Denny.
michael thomas
r.i.p.denny & lennie.
roguejulie
Because of a television show!!!
N Zarina Ali
Gold jumpsuits are a bit tight 😉😉