Sha Na Na Facts

[Edie Antoinette]

Look at the Hippies!


Q. When did Sha Na Na get started?
A. Sha Na Na began as an a capella group called the Kingsmen on the campus of Columbia University in New York back in 1969.

Most groups practice at least six hours a week, but as Overland points out, “That’s just the beginning.” Another member of the Kingsmen, Brian Hansbury ’03, explains, “Road trips take a huge chunk out of weekends. The thought of getting
any sort of work done is a lamentable pipe dream or a blessing,
depending on what kind of student you are.”

The Kingsmen were among many student groups that performed on Low Steps, despite the rain, during the evening campus celebration at the October inauguration of President Lee C. Bollinger.
PHOTO: EILEEN BARROSO
The group originally performed a variety of songs, but the music of the '50s proved to be so popular that the members decided to stick to the oldies and Sha Na Na was born.

Q. How many original members of Sha Na Na are still with the group?
A. You'll see a lot of familiar faces in Sha Na Na's current lineup, including Jocko Marcellino, Screamin' Scott Simon, and Donny York. They've been joined by several talented musicians including Reggie Battise, Buzz Campbell, Jim Waldbillig and Paulie Kimbarow.

Q. Sha Na Na Alumni - Where Are They Now??

A. As far as we know:

Lennie Baker retired at the beginning of "2000" and resides in his home state of Massachusetts on the Island of Martha's Vineyard with Tess, his Jack Russell Terrier.

Scott “Santini” Powell is now an orthopedic surgeon in the L.A. area.

Denny Greene studied law after leaving the group and has worked as a college professor around the country.

Johnny Contardo was working as a journalist in the L.A. area.

Rob Leonard is currently Professor of Linguistics and Swahili
(undoubtedly the only Swahili professor to have played at Woodstock!)
at Hofstra University on Long Island, New York.

Original bass singer Alan Cooper (singing At The Hop in the Woodstock film) went on to be a professor of theology at the Jewish Theological Seminary.

Jon “Bowzer” Bauman lives with his family in the L.A. area and still tours as a solo act singing and hosting shows.

“Dirty Dan” Mc Bride is staying busy in Hollywood as an actor, voice-over artist, singer and guitarist. He maintains an active website. Also beware of Danny of Sha Na Na imposters. Danny McBride was the ONLY Danny ever to be part of Sha Na Na.

Original lead guitarist, Chris Donald a.k.a. “Vinnie Taylor” and bassist David “Chico” Ryan have passed away (1974 and 1998 respectively). Their great talent and energy have been missed. Sadly there is Vinnie imposter out there tainting the memory of our friend. There was only ONE Vinnie Taylor and he rocked!

Three of the early Sha Na Na guitarists attained some notoriety. Henry Gross wrote, sang and had a hit: Shannon, Elliot “Ronzoni” Randell played lead on Steely Dan’s Are You Reeling In The Years and Elliot “Gino” Cahn went on to manage the rock group Green Day.