What if I told you that the retro 1950’s movement – that occurred in the 1970’s – was started by a bunch of Columbia University graduates in the 1960’s?
Yes, Chuck knows what time it is. And he also remembers the classic doo-wop tribute revival band Sha Na Na.
The band we know as Sha Na Na took their name from the lyrics of a popular 1950’s song, the Silhouettes’ “Get a Job.” Here’s a clip of the Silhouettes lip-synching to their big hit.
And in 1969, Sha Na Na made an appearance at – of all places – the Woodstock music festival. They performed such classics as the Danny & the Juniors’ “At the Hop,” and their act included several of their members wearing either accentuated gold lame jumpsuits, or leather jackets with black T-shirts and high-water jeans. They performed, and the crowd adored it.
You might have also heard Sha Na Na’s music in the 70’s hit movie Grease, they were the house band on the “National Bandstand” gymnasium taping, and about five or six of their songs made it to the Grease soundtrack – including “Born to Hand Jive,” which you can hear below.
But where most of us remember Sha Na Na from is their 1970’s television variety show. From about 1977 to 1981, Sha Na Na would perform a classic R&B or doo-wop hit from the pre-Beatles era, complete with the gold lame jumpsuits and greaser outfits. They performed the songs as tributes; there wasn’t a “geez, this song is cornier than Jiffy-Pop” glance among them.
For example, here’s their rendition of the classic Marcels hit, “Blue Moon.”
They definitely had an appreciation for vintage doo-wop and vocal harmony, as Sha Na Na shows in this classic Curtis Lee song “Pretty Little Angel Eyes.”
During the broadcast, several of the band members, including John “Bowzer” Bauman or Johnny Contardo, would perform solo numbers. Here, for example, is Johnny Contardo, performing the Roy Orbison classic “Crying.”
The Sha Na Na show also had several guest sketches, where the band’s “we’re not that great” schtick was the centerpiece of each routine. They might have thought they were less than talented, but they were always honoring the music. And they also had musical guests and actors as guest stars on the show – hey look, it’s Ronnie Spector with the Ronettes!
Okay, back to the classics. Listen to them rip apart Gary U.S. Bonds’ classic’ Quarter to Three…
And then the show would end, as they performed “Goodnight Sweetheart” by the Spaniels. And it’s time to end our broadcast. Grease for Peace!
I should note that many of the members of Sha Na Na have moved on from this group to various artistic and educational endeavors. John “Bowzer” Bauman, for example, is currently involved in legislation to prevent fraudulent music acts from infringing on the copyright of vintage groups – in other words, billing your band as the original “The Platters,” and having no original members in your group.
And that smile on your face? It’s from seeing these vintage clips one more time… isn’t it? 🙂
Chuck The Writer 
Ah, memories… Happy Days, Sha Na Na, Little House on the Prairie, and The Waltons were about all my father would let us watch on tv….
LikeLike
I loved the syndicated variety show – I remember most of my friends watching it. That would be a lot of fun to see again on one of the retro channels.
LikeLike
And let’s not forget that Scott Powell aka Santini was also in Caddyshack
LikeLike