Sha Na Na

How odd it is that some people still think that Sha Na Na emerged and made their mark on the movie GREASE which later led to this short lived variety show.

Before GREASE (1978), HAPPY DAYS (1974) and American Graffiti (1973), there was Sha Na Na, who formed in 1968 and played in Woodstock in 1969. They also had a slew of singles and 3 albums to their credit before their label (Kama Sutra) released THE GOLDEN AGE OF ROCK 'N' ROLL on a 2-album set in 1973.

Flash Cadillac & the Continental Kids may had appeared on American Graffiti and in 1975 as Fish & the Fins on HAPPY DAYS. But they got there by pretty much copying the style of Sha Na Na! While I was not too wild about variety shows nor was I too wild about acts that would lipsinque, Sha Na Na were the exception to the rule. Their blend of comedy and music made their variety show a hit with their fan base, which also included us critics out there on the fringe, drawn to their brand of entertainment, like a moth to a light. Even my mother, whose teenage years were spent during the "big band era" (and not a fan of rock & roll) enjoyed this show.

One classic performance was a version of "A Lover's Question" (by Clyde McPhatter-1958/Atlantic Records). The setting looked like something out of THE WEST SIDE STORY. And each of the members was sitting on a window sill or on a fire escape! Classic rock 'n' roll as we like to remember it! Grease for peace!!!

Sha-Na-Na was a syndicated musical variety show which of course centered on the music group Sha Na Na who were well known for recreations of 50s and 60s classics. The jokes and skits were often pathetic but the music was pretty good and the band members (all ten of them) always seemed to be having a good time. They never took themselves too seriously and weren't above making fun of themselves. Bowzer was the leader and always closed the show by going "Do-Do-Do-Do" over and over while making muscles, which was a joke as he was pretty skinny and barely had any muscle. The guests were often from the 50s/60s era but once in awhile, they had more current guests like the Ramones and Kim Carnes. A show like this would never be made today, even with contemporary music stars but looking back, Sha Na Na was pretty fun to watch.

With ever episode of Sha Na Na, we laughed a little, learned a little, and sang a little. Admittedly, I was like five years old when I saw this show on TV, but I thought it was, as they say "wicked awesome." They should release this on DVD for sure.

I started watching this show as a kid . Bowzer was my all-time favorite with his wacky attitude, and Johnny was cute:-) The 10 guys were really wonderful with all their songs & that lady that heckled the guys from her window was pretty funny.Soupy Sales starred on the show starting in Season 3 as both Officer Fussy & "Armond Fussy Director of Greaser Hall" (Sadly in 1988 Dave "Chico" Ryan passed away."Dirty"Dan McBride joined Chico in 2009. Denny passed away in 2015 R.I.P Chico Danny & Denny. )

Their guests ranged from singers that sang in the 50s (like the Crystals) to comedians (like Henny Youngman & Billy Crystal) & even a few country singers (like Barbara Mandrell.Bowzer guest starred on her show some time later.) Grease for peace!

I remember watching Sha Na Na in the late 70s and early 80s and to me it was a nostalgic romp back to the 50s and 60s as the group led by Jon (Bowzer) Bauman performed classic hits from rock and roll's early days. Even though they portrayed greasers, in real life, they were very bright fellows who graduated from Columbia University and they had a great time doing what they did.

But they also proved that they can do comedy and they pulled it off well as they were backed by regulars Pamela Myers and Jane Dulo, who also portrayed the crabby neighbor. Later in the show's run, Soupy Sales joined the cast as a policeman.

Celebrity guests also appeared on the show and they added to the fun and nostalgia of the show, which was set in an area my dad grew up in, The Bronx.

It's a shame Sha Na Na hasn't been rerun in years or released on DVD. It probably has to do with music licensing issues. But it brings back memories of early rock and roll and Bowzer's deep bass voice. Let's not forget the big, bearded saxophone player Lennie Baker. Grease for peace.