Sha Na Na
Sha Na Na parlayed their straight-ahead '50s rock & roll revivalism into a successful touring career, even if they were never as popular on record as they were live. The group's image and style were unabashedly anachronistic, as they covered '50s pop and doo wop standards, slicked their hair back in the greaser fashion, and dressed in flamboyant '50s costumes. Sha Na Na formed at Columbia University in 1968 and quickly built a name for themselves with live performances, often at the Fillmore East, featuring such theatrics as a dance contest for audience members. The original lineup consisted of vocalists Rob Leonard, Scott Powell, Johnny Contardo, Frederick "Denny" Greene, Richard "Ritchie" Joffe, and Don York, plus guitarists Chris Donald, Elliot Cahn, and Henry Gross, bassist Bruce Clarke, drummer John "Jocko" Marcellino, pianists "Screamin'" Scott Simon and John "Bowzer" Bauman, and former Danny and the Juniors saxophonist Leonard Baker. Sha Na Na's big break came with a booking at the Woodstock Festival in 1969; they caught on with the public and began a string of appearances at rock & roll venues and nightclubs. Gross left for a solo career in 1970 and scored a Top Ten hit six years later with "Shannon," something his old group was never able to do; Sha Na Na was largely a live act playing on nostalgia and entertainment value, which did not translate as well on record. In spite of internal problems including nervous breakdowns and the death of member Vincent Taylor from a heroin overdose in 1974, the group peaked in popularity in the late '70s, hosting its own syndicated television show from 1977 to 1981 and appearing in the 1978 film Grease. Screamin' Scott Simon co-wrote the song "Sandy" for the film; meanwhile, Jon "Bowzer" Bauman continued his television career, co-hosting a morning show in Los Angeles and guesting frequently on several game shows. The group continues to tour with several original members still on board.
© Steve Huey /TiVo
Discography
19 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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From the Streets of New York (Live)
Rock - Released by Legacy Recordings on Jun 1, 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Rockin' Christmas (The Classic Christmas Collection)
Pop - Released by The Gold Label on Oct 10, 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Live at Woodstock (Live at Woodstock)
Rock - Released by Buddah - Legacy on Jul 26, 2019
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
The Golden Age of Rock 'n' Roll
Pop - Released by Legacy Recordings on May 16, 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Rock & Roll Is Here to Stay
Rock - Released by Legacy Recordings on May 31, 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Grease For Peace: The Best of Sha Na Na
International Pop - Released by BMG Heritage on Aug 1, 2002
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
40th Anniversary Collector's Edition
Pop - Released by The Gold Label on Jul 14, 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Night Is Still Young
Pop - Released by Legacy Recordings on May 16, 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sha Na Na 50th Anniversary Commemorative Edition
Rock - Released by The Gold Label on Jun 21, 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Rockin' Christmas
Pop - Released by The Gold Label on Jan 1, 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Grease For Peace: The Best of Sha Na Na
Pop - Released by BMG Heritage on Aug 1, 2002
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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One More Saturday Night
Pop - Released by The Gold Label on Jan 1, 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Rock 'n Roll Dance Party
Pop - Released by The Gold Label on Jan 1, 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Woodstock: 20 Years After
Rock - Released by Liberation Hall on Aug 5, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Promised Land
Rock - Released by Liberation Hall on Jul 15, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
You Can't Sit Down
Rock - Released by Liberation Hall on Jun 10, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo