Concert Review
Sha Na Na
Bear’s Den Inside
Seneca Niagara Casino & Resort
Saturday March 5, 2016 5pm
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
Those who wanted to take a stroll down to memory lane got their wish Saturday as Sha Na Na played a pair of shows at the Bears Den inside Seneca Niagara Casino and Resort. The band whose name is derived form the lyrics of the Sihouettes 1957 hit “Get A Job”, put on their usual show which does a great job preserving the music of the 50s and 60s.
Starting things off with their customary opener “At The Hop”, set the tone of what was to expect as the show rolled on. The band touched on many of the classics such as “Save The Last Dance For Me”, “Come Go With Me” and “ A Teenager In Love” to name a few.
The band is not only known for their syndicated television show of the 70s but also for their role in the Grease Motion Picture. Past shows only briefly touched on those songs. This time around the band really opened up the Grease songbook touching on no less than eleven songs including a few they were not a part of on the Grease Soundtrack. As he introduced the song he co-wrote “Sandy” Screamin’ Scott Simon jokingly announced that he received a text earlier that John (Travolta) would be unable to be in Niagara Falls to perform the song which received a good reaction from the crowd.
Original members Jocko Marcellino and Donny York still lead the band and are flanked by the talents of “Downtown” Michael Brown who steals the spotlight on several occasions during the show with his playing of the sax. Drummer Ty Cox, bassist Tim Butler and guitarist Randy Hill round out the band.
Sadly longtime member vocalist and sax player Lennie Baker, who sang lead on “Blue Moon” from the Grease soundtrack recently passed away. Simon did make a quick mention of Baker during “Blue Moon” but surprisingly there was no tribute or any other mention during the show.
Preserving the past is what Sha Na Na is all about. They have done it since their Woodstock appearance and haven’t stopped since. This is a top notch act who does it right and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon even as the band nears its fiftieth anniversary.
Set List
At the Hop
Peppermint Twist
Willie and the Hand Jive
The Hokey Pokey
Save the Last Dance for Me
Sixteen Candles
Tequila
La Bamba
Hound Dog
Those Magic Changes
Blue Moon
It’s All Right
Come Go With Me
Love Potion #9
A Teenager In Love
You Can’t Sit Down
Rhythm Of The Rain
Still Of The Night
Get A Job
California Sun
Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini
Wipeout
Sandy
Hopelessly Devoted To You
We Go Together
You’re The One That I Want
Grease
Greased Lightnin’
Rock N Roll Is Here To Stay
Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight
