ABSTRACT
Sha Na Na has often been dismissed as nothing more than an oldies revival act; however, the group blended dance routines, a period greaser look (greased-back haircuts, leather jackets, pegged jeans, and undershirts with cigarette packs inside the rolled-up sleeves), and seamless doo-wop harmonies to deftly satirize the 1950s teen lifestyle. Formed at Columbia University, New York, in the late 1960s, Sha Na Na gained national recognition during the height of the rock ‘n’ roll revival craze through a showstopping set at the Woodstock Festival (1969) and various television appearances. Although their albums-including Rock & Roll Is Here to Stay! (Kama Sutra #2010; 1969), Sha Na Na (Kama Sutra #2034; 1971), The Night Is Still Young (Kama Sutra #2050; 1972), The Golden Age of Rock ‘N’ Roll (Kama Sutra #2073; 1973), From the Streets of New York (Kama Sutra #2075; 1973-1974), Hot Sox (Kama Sutra #2600; 1964), and Sha Na Now (Kama Sutra #2605; 1975)—featured picture-perfect renditions of classic oldies such as “Teen Angel” and “Duke of Earl,” they failed to convey the group’s satire, which was inherently visual in nature.
