How Jimi Hendrix Gave Sha Na Na Their Big Break
Now, here's a story you might not have heard. If it weren't for the legendary Jimi Hendrix, Sha Na Na might never have graced the stage at Woodstock. Founding member John "Jocko" Marcellino recalls, "Jimi Hendrix kept coming to our shows. He really dug what we were doing." Hendrix wasn't just a fan; he went the extra mile to ensure Sha Na Na got their chance to shine. "We were almost bumped from the lineup due to time constraints, but Hendrix and his manager intervened and made sure we got our slot," says John. Talk about a helping hand from a legend!
But let’s be honest, their big moment wasn't without its quirks. "We got paid $350 for the gig... and guess what? The check bounced!" John laughs. Despite the financial hiccup, their performance of "At the Hop" was captured by none other than Martin Scorsese, who was a young film student at the time. He included it in the iconic 1970 documentary Woodstock. "That film was a game-changer for us," John exclusively told Closer at an event celebrating Sha Na Na's 50th Anniversary at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. "It truly started our career."
From the Kingsmen to Sha Na Na: The Band’s Humble Beginnings
Before they became Sha Na Na, the group was known as the Kingsmen, an a cappella ensemble formed by John and a group of his buddies from Columbia University in 1969. They started performing on campus, gradually building a following. Eventually, they rebranded, taking the name from a line in the 1957 hit "Get a Job." John reminisces, "We wanted to let everyone know this was Americana music. We were going back to the roots, to the music our parents grew up with." Initially, their style was seen as a bit campy, but as their performances grew, audiences realized this was the real deal. "It wasn't just nostalgia; it was a celebration of the music that shaped a generation," John says.
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Sha Na Na's Rise to Fame: TV and the Big Screen
By 1977, Sha Na Na had their own TV variety show, simply titled Sha Na Na. The following year, they made a splash in the blockbuster movie Grease, appearing as Johnny Casino and the Gamblers. "We had six songs on the Grease soundtrack," John tells Closer. "And guess what? We even got a Grammy nomination! That was a pretty big deal." It was more than just a nod to their talent; it was a testament to how far they'd come since their early days on campus.
