@cozy Cool Yes, Johnny is an exceptional tenor and Bowser an exceptional baritone. The other guys all had good voices in different ranges and that's why Sha na na is considered the best cover band.... ever.
@cozy Cool Yes but his attempt at a solo career went nowhere despite his talent. It's not only talent but timing. Music constantly changes and if you don't have the songs to keep up with it...you get left in the dust. He didn't have the right management or promotion as a solo artist. We know he had the talent.
one of the greatest du wop songs ever,johnny cantardo's false setto is way off the charts,perfection. the balance and play between him and bowser is a treat to enjoy. loved vito & the salutations when I hung out with my cousin in jersey in summer 1964,but this version transcends the song to new heights.
Galya peeva she was in 1953 life look back at her own stuff life story ture life movie all about it take 50s years before New DVD releases review history books documentary about biography book club fun more information Hollywood studios bowl
If you were growing up in those days & years ya had it made❤ they don't make entertainment with this energy and street grace. And wars were ending and for the most part folks were just trying enjoy the simple life ❤
You know why this is so great? The ENERGY alone. They were playing to the audience and it all just clicked. While millions watched the live audience got it first hand and the rest of us joined in. Few songs hit me like this one. There is a feel to it that most songs don't have. It's alive!!!
These guys don't just sing, they perform. That's not to everyone's taste, but after seeing how much energy they project in person, I'm impressed. Their TV show was nothing compared to their stage act.
These guys bring back so many great memories as a kid. The show is dated by today's standards but the music these guys pump out still rocks even after all these years. Can't believe how Bowzer and Johnny hold this piece together with the rest of the guys bringing in some great harmonies. Awesome. :o)
Does anybody else remember how great these guys were?! I saw them twice live at The Oakdale Theater in CT. One of the "Big Thrills" in my life was while sitting front row during a song Bowser told me to cut my hair.
True talent. They are not only singing in perfect harmony...but doing all the moves too. Its hard enough to get it right standing still. How do I know?? I just do.
I love this version the best. I play it all the time. Johnny is off the charts great in his lead of this classic. I watch it just to hear him lol. Talk about a commanding performance. He just steals it. Of course he does that with everything he does.
@@SlenderBaconsYT I could have sworn a doo wop group did this fast version back in the late 50's/ early 60's. I looked but didn't find anything so you know what they say about that swearing thing. lol So apparently someone arranged this fast version for Sha na na or maybe one or more of the band members, did. Either way it's an ingenious version. :o)
@@jeanthirkill8735 Without a doubt but talent without proper management will never reach the peak it should. To me, this is what happened with Johnny. His IT factor was never in question. :o)
I always watched their show , wAs entertaining and funny, bowser always had a funny line insult for one of the band , they did great 50s and 60s covers
Thank you faerydancer for posting the video. It's always been one of my favorites that Sha Na Na did. And you are absolutely correct. The faster version of the song by the Salutations did preceed the Righteous Brothers, so one could say that the Righteous Brother's version was a parody of the original. I love Sha Na Na's version, and anytime I get to hear the sexy Johnny hit the falsetto, that's always a plus.
This is true. You can tell on a couple of these videos that the audio isn't live, though. Watch Bowser's mouth in this one, it's almost a dead give away. But still, the recordings sound awesome, so I still give them props. Johnny is a singing machine. I wish I had a voice like his.
@MommaJamma49 Somebody else told me that too. I can buy that. They were still great no matter what. I remember watching them as a kid growing up in Philly. Sha Na Na and Happy Days----GOOD STUFF!
Also, with this particular one, I think it's all the energy and fun that was put into it. I usually end up watching it two or three times myself, even though I've seen it so much before.
The TV show songs were Live lead vocals, with the rest lip synced. They recorded everything in the studio, then pantomimed on the tv studio stage. This was done by the producers in as much that SNN had little say on the technical decisions. When Bowser had a prominent bass part i.e., blue moon, that was also sung live. Sometimes the bass part was prerecorded and Bowser sang live over it. The songs were done in 1 or two takes. Any mistakes in lipsyncing were basically ignored. The funniest example of this is "Shout" when Lennie sat at the drums for the final portion of the song and started late for the final drum riff. What did the producers do? They added a laugh track to the miscue. My sources for much of this info are Donny York & Scott Simon
I loved Johnny Contardo-one of the best voices in the business. Too bad he didn't pursue a solo career. He would have been huge as a solo artist. He graduated from a high school 2 towns from me!(In Mass.) My oldest girlfriend graduated with him and said he was in the school musicals-DUH!!!
Brilliant. I've been a fan of Sha Na Na since I was 4 (dad took me to see them in concert), nearly 30 years ago. I can't think of a song I've ever heard them do that shows off their respective talents as well as this one. It's great.
It's great to belong to a wonderful community such as the appreciation of this immensely joyable video. To the homophobe,only real men can appreciate the antics and talents of Sha Na Na! Funny thing, when the series originally aired, I seemed to couldn't wait for the program to end so I could watch something else. Now, at least 30 years later, I long for all the pleasure this series gave. Long live Sha Na Na!!
rip dirty dan and chico! lol my mother dragged me to see these guys 4 times..........the Melody Fair in Buffalo, and then Darien Lake (now six flags) after the first time, I didnt need to be dragged! great stuff! have lots of posters, playbills and autographs, towel from Johnny, and drumsticks from Jocko....lol those were the days!
I love this rendition of a slow song done fast which isn't easy to pull off but they did it beautifully. The choreography isn't as easy as it looks either. They just have it down to a T. This is one of my fave's.
Faithful and excellent rendition of "Vito and the Salutations" version! Superb!!! Thanks! This particular SNN performance is one of my all time favs!!!! Made my day!
A few members used to live on Cape Cod. I remember back in 1974 when two waitresses brought Lenny back from a club to our dorm where we lived while working at a restaurant. He hung out for a few hours. Had a few drinks, smoked a little pot, shot the breeze and then away he went!
Wow! I listened to Sha Na Na when I was a kid, but never SAW them. Hot performance! Those pants are incredibly tight! This was before spandes... And wouldn't they look great on Adam!
You have to give Sha NA Na probs. It might not be there orginal music but they did it better then the orginal. These guys were incredible showmen.Great showmen.
MUSIC "Buffs". In my opinion, it was Legion JIMMY HENDRICKS who "Discovered" Shanana and helped them to rocket to stardom. After all, It was Jimmy Hendricks who insisted that two of the WOODSTOCK promoters go and see Shanana at a very popular night club just in time to "Book" them to play at the storied festival. -Bill Howes.
I love, Sha Na Na !! Bowser has powerful lungs. He is the greatest Bass voice I ever heard. I know because I learn from the best, "The Ghetto Brothers Band, aka "Street The Beat". I believe Bowers is still singing, hope hes not smoking. Love you guys...
When will they release this show on DVD? Shanana came to our screens in Nigeria in 1981 and everyone just loved it. Johonny Contardo was simply awesome. One of the best singing voices we ever heard.
I remember when the slow version of this song was popular, and then this version came out. I played it for my girlfriend (a 45 record on a record player) and she didn't believe it was "Unchained Melody." "It can't be!" she said. "Yes, it is!" I insisted. I had to show her the record label with the names of the composers before she'd believe me. I love this version; it's a hoot and very cleverly done.
@Boubala24 when I first watched this video it didn't click with me that this was the same song that the Righteous Brothers sang! I don't get to listen to the radio much so the Righteous Brothers version doesn't bother me, yet! LOL!! I do love this Version & Sha Na Na does a fantastic job as always!
I like the Romantic version, bobby Hatfield version, his version is popular worldwide in different countries for very good reasons, and was even chosen for the film Ghost, just look at the reaction videos of young centennials and millennials around the world that has gone viral, yes everyone has their own personal taste, but majority of people are bowled over Bobby Hatfield's version, his one is soooooo beautiful and romantic 😍😍😍😍😍
This is in fun-sha na na is like the the globe trotters-relax and enjoy, maybe laugh!!!!!!!! They are funny and talented-------lighten up lighten up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's Jon Bauman. He's known as Bowzer. I LOVE him. My favorite part of doo-wop has always been the bass man and Bowzer is my number one favorite bass man!
