First time watching Sha Na Na “Crying” Reaction | Asia and BJ

[@norsetech9416]

It's Roy and Johnny. Then there's everybody else. I love Sha Na Na, and thanks to Swedish television I got to watch their show in the 70s (the show didn't air in Norway). I was only a kid in the 70s. But I've been loving music from the 50s and 60s ever since. Thank you Johnny and Sha Na Na!

[@charlessheifer2264]

The song "Crying" originated with Roy Orbison. It was not performed in the movie "Grease". This clip is from the tv series starring the group Sha Na Na. It was a very popular tv show from 1977-80 with famous guest stars like Milton Berle, Soupy Sales, Chubby Checker, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Chuck Berry, Leslie Gore, Bobby Rydell, etc. Speaking of Bobby Rydell you should definitely check out the movie "Bye Bye Birdie" and do a movie review. It stars Dick Van Dyke, Janet Leigh, Ann-Marget and Bobby Rydell. It's based on when Elvis Presley was drafted into the Army and the effect it had on teenagers all around the world. It even has a song devoted to Ed Sullivan. You'll love it.

[@davidryan2669]

I saw them in concert in the 70s. They were awesome. They dressed to fit the genre of music they sang. Roy Orbinson recorded this song and it was a big hit for him.

[@deegomez2089]

Johnny Contardo...what a voice!!🎶🎵

[@robinmitchell6986]

My first concert when I was a kid. Sha Na Na had a variety show in the late 70's early 80's after being on Grease.

[@makingthecoin3647]

Yes K D Lang's version is a powerhouse but Johnny Contardo and Sha Na Na have said Crying and Tell Laura I Love You are the most requested at there concerts for decades that speaks volumes.

[@ggvno167]

Fun Fact - Sha Na Na performed at 1969 Woodstock. I believe they started the program.

[@nickface55]

I used to quiz people by asking "which of these bands played at Woodstock, the Doors, Sha Na Na or the Rolling Stones?" No one ever answered with Sha Na Na.

[@robertdanyus6836]

​@@nickface55Richie Havens actually started the Woodstock concert because some of the groups that were supposed to start didn't get there on time because of the traffic jams.

[@harf59]

Sha Na Na was the 2nd to last group to appear in Woodstock, just before Jimi Hendricks. Monday Morning, 6:30 or 7:30 in the morning

[@donnyyork2149]

Most of us didn't even arrive until Sunday, helicopter-borne, believing we'd be appearing that night. We did go onstage circa 7:45AM on Monday, before Jimi Hendrix came on circa 9:30.

[@billofalltrades2633]

Sha na na was my first concert in Cleveland Ohio 1977 I was 7! They had a TV show back in the day!

[@beantoes1277]

They had a Sketch T.V. Show when I was a kid. I was obsessed with them as a kid. ❤❤

[@Uniquemum73]

Meee tooo..especially "goodnight sweetheart" at the end of each show 💕

[@johnboydTx]

Always had great guests on the show 👍☺️✌️

[@Robert-un7br]

This clip is from that show. I remember watching it when I was a kid too!

[@Wanda-t1e]

These guys are really good and they. also are funny as hell . Especially Bowser , the tall goofy one in black with his pants rolled up . They’re hysterical.

[@Robert-un7br]

Hey guys great reaction as always. No matter how good BJ sings this song, whether he’s forgiven or not depends on the mistake. I mean there’s little things and then there’s big things! 🤣 Both the characters from Grease and Sha-Na-Na are dressing as they did in the 1950s, the time all the songs came out. So it’s not that they’re looking like Grease or that Grease is looking like them. Sha-Na-Na was formed and sang at Woodstock in 1969. They had their own TV show from 1977 to 1981. This clip is from that show. The movie Grease (1978) is based on a play published in 1971. So they are pretty close with origin dates and height of popularity, but Sha Na Na predates Grease.

[@rayj1011]

I had been wondering why no one I have ever seen reacted to Sha Na Na. Thanks Asia and BJ!

[@makingthecoin3647]

As others have said they had a 70s tv show where they performed some 50,60s songs. But they toured the world doing concerts and dressed this way. Then 1978 they were contracted to appear in Grease.

[@JDogg1971]

They sang “Born to Hand Jive” in Grease. The guy you’re talking about is Bowzer. Probably their best known song is Rama Lama Ding Dong. They started in 69, got popular in the 70’s performing 50’s music. Great reaction!🤓🤠

[@toodlescae]

Love Sha Na Na. A lot of people didn't take them seriously as a singing group but they were really good. Especially Johnny. I used to watch their tv show in the 70's.

[@Jesusfreak-m3x]

Sha Na Na was a 1980s tv show that made fun of the 1950 music and gangs, etc. Bowser Bowman is legendary for his black costume and deep voice. The closed with "Good Night Sweetheart" by the Spaniels. Check it out.

[@user-or1ye3iz6d]

I had a dog named Bowser 💪 😂

[@jackgilchrist]

The show started in '77 and ran until early 1981. They did humor but I wouldn't say they made fun of '50s stuff. More like paid loving tribute.

[@rebeccalipps23]

When I was young in the 70s, they had a variety show, too. Bowser, the bass singer, was always my favorite.

[@johnpolis5211]

One of Roy Orbison's greatest hits. I even believe the two of you have reacted to his version of this, which is the original.

[@pfcampos7041]

OMG, how could I have forgetten them?! We grew up watching there show on TV. Funny and talented guys. I had a crush on Bowser. ☺ (He's the guy in all black.) They were Johnny Casino and the Gamblers in the movie Grease. They were the band that played in the scenes at the dance show. This song was by Roy Orbison. I don't think they had any original music; they were just a cover band to my knowledge.

[@danjohnson2986]

Old school childhood memories with sha na na

[@johnboydTx]

They performed at the dance in Grease the movie ❤️❤️😊 Hand jive and Blue Moon were the songs ✌️

[@loisrogers9042]

YAY! Sha-Na-Na!!! Their show was so fun😅

[@AntillesP]

Sha Na Na played at Woodstock.

[@makingthecoin3647]

Jimi Hendrix brought Sha Na Na to the historic Woodstock event and he had them open for him.

[@DennisGayhart-s3t]

They brought back the 50's music along with the dress and stage shows.

[@robinschulze934]

He’s name is Bowzer , the one dresses like John Travolta !!!! They all dressed in 50s , 60s clothing!!! They were all over the TV in the 70s !! They did 50s and 60s music!!!! And they were also very funny!! They may even have had their own TV show!!!

[@pjeastwood9241]

Yes they did!😊

[@ewetoobblowzdogg8410]

Their version of The Lion Sleeps Tonight is simply fantastic!

[@GenX7119]

I used to love their TV show in the 70's! Oops I am telling my age!😭😭

[@snakeinthegrass7443]

That was a style in the 50's. This show was on in the 70s. Since they sing 50s and 60s music...they dress the part too. My father watched this and Hee-Haw every week religiously.

[@ericwilliams1031]

They didn't do this song in Grease but they did some similar songs.

[@mrb4749]

Grease was out in 78. I saw Shanana at Hersheypark in the mid 70s. Very good. I'm very impressed with the way sang it. Im listening to music over 60 years I see no real difference between him and Roy Orbisons version. Tho I dug Roys voice. KD Lange did a phenomenal performance of this great song as a tribute to Roy.

[@loisrogers9042]

Their look was representative of the type music they often did, but weren't performing in the 50's. They're younger.

[@sharonpeterson5415]

This song was written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson, and Mr. Orbison released it in 1961. Don McClean did a version (my personal favorite) in 1978. I like every version I have ever heard, though.

[@junebug11616]

Now you're back in my era. Used to dance to this in the 60's! Thanks for the memories...

[@AsiaandBJ]

Thanks for listening

[@waltw4537]

Saw Sha Na Na in college. One would have thought college kids would think them square but not me, nor anyone else there! What a fun group. This of course is a cover of Roy Orbison. That was their forte. Re-doing 50s and 60s tunes. Quite a talented bunch. Too bad Bowser.. Oh that's him, the tall cat with the dark hair. Hey! Gold lamay was the thing! All the moves! Hello! See? They all had chops. Formed in latter 1960s. Well Grease imitated the real world. So, SNN is giving a tip of the hat to the originals. Thanks!

[@andreadeamon6419]

Sha na na had a tv show that was so loved by many and goodness they sang their hearts out. They were like a tribute band to all the 50s 60s songs. Dance and all

[@carynmilliman32]

My dad took me to see Sha Na Na when I was 8. They were great,

[@Uniquemum73]

Lol not in Grease..it was written by Roy Orbison in '61. Please react to KD Lang's version with Roy Orbison for a beauuuuutiful rendition :) ETA: just found your reaction to the Roy Orbison original u did 1 year ago lol. Still check out Roy & KD, it's beautiful.

[@bobbierobinson6269]

I loved them in the 70's! They had a TV show and my favorite song was "Just Like Romeo and Juliet"... I was a child.

[@kellahella5286]

Finally someone jumping on Sha Na Na. ✊✊✊

[@janethernandez724]

Hello Asia and BJ, it is good for you to check out the group Sha Na Na. Just so you know according to Wikipedia, Sha Na Na is a syndicated television variety series that ran from 1977 to 1981 for a total of 97 episodes, hosted by the popular rock & roll/comedy group of the same name. The show was produced by Pierre Cossette and originally distributed by the Lexington Broadcast Services Company. We enjoyed watching this show in the 1970s and 80s they would all dress up in 1950's costumes sing popular songs of the 1950s and had celebrity appearances too. If my memory serves me correctly, I think the song 'Crying was sung by Roy Orbison from the 1950's. Sha Na Na was chosen to perform in the movie Grease that came out in 1978 and they recorded about 6 tracks that is in the movie soundtrack. I enjoyed this reaction! ☮💕

[@harf59]

Asia - This episode of the Sha Na Na TV show aired in early 1979. Sha Na Na started at Columbia University in 1969. in 1970, 5 members who left to pursue grad school, business opportunities etc, were replaced. Bowser, in all black, started in the spring of 1970. Johnny Contardo joined in 1971 and was one of the few at that time that did not attend Columbia. The Fifties concept was invented by George Leonard a Columbia Grad student at the time. The Sha Na Na nostalgia predated Grease and Happy Days

[@Friend_Of_The_Muse]

" Get a job...Sha Na Na na nana nana na "

[@benntura]

I loved Sha Na Na. I used to watch their TV show back in the 70’s.

[@carynmilliman32]

They were in the movie: They were Johnny and the Casinos

[@andreadeamon6419]

Johnny is such a sweetheart. Friends with him in Facebook. He loves doing cooking videos. Have loved these guys even before grease.

[@joepimentel1426]

They had a show on tv for quite a while in the late 70s, I believe

[@KathleenNunley]

I saw them with the Dead Milkmen in 89 it was SO much fun!

[@cynthiaschultheis1660]

Roy Orbison wrote song, K. D. Lang covered it!!!😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@colinstevens2691]

Don Maclean did a good cover version of this too

[@davidwalker683]

My childhood

[@kathrynkissane5144]

I was 16 when my brother Jeremy died. He was 10. He adored Shanana, especially Bowser(in the black) I bought him a puppy before he died. He named it Bowseri a(because it was a girl). This is so special to my heart.

[@benntura]

Check out “Those Magic Changes” by Sha Na Na. Johnny Contardo sings the song. The song was in Grease during the school dance scene.

[@DarkAngel1895]

John (Bowser) Bowman, The Greaser, On The Left All In Black Was The Bass Singer. And The Movie "Grease,' Came Out In 1978.

[@jeraldbennett9289]

He also became a game show host later on. He can be seen on The Match Game/ Hollywood Squares Hour from the 80's on the BUZZR game show channel

[@scottvanhille5688]

Holy Sha Na Na, lol. Great band name. This was fun.

[@flutesong5527]

The guy in black is Bowser, he's the bass. They sang "Where in the World is Carmen Santiago" and were hot for a while

[@christinerobinson9372]

BJ, you have a great baritone! Let's hear you sing "You've Lost That Loving Feeling"! Asia can sing the "Baby"s!

[@Rosedach]

I still like Roy Orbison version which was number one on the US Cashbox chart for a week on 7th October 1961.

[@mu6best]

"sha na na" was pulled from the 50's song "Get A Job"

[@kimberly8858]

In Grease the song born to hand jive and a song that went what's that playing on the radio and they dressed that way was part of there act 50s doo wop sha na na had a tv show in the 80 on ABC channel

[@lisadarling721]

Grease came out in the late 70s but was set probably in the 60s or so

[@jackgilchrist]

He's no Roy Orbison, but does a pretty dang good cover. Used to watch their TV show. '50s retro was pretty popular in the '70s. You had Sha Na Na, you had films like American Graffiti, Happy Days was a hit sitcom (I went around in a t-shirt or Fonzie shirt with fake leather jacket, trying to be like the Fonz from the show). At my elementary school we had "'50s Days" dances where everyone dressed in '50s style and danced to '50s music (well, actually the girls lined up on one wall, the boys on another, and most boys were too afraid to ask a girl to dance, lol). I was brought up on '50s music and stories from my parents, so I always liked that stuff. Once I got toward my teens I wouldn't have admitted it though. 😂

[@alanpennick1764]

You have to hear JD Lang sing this song as a tribute to Roy Orbison make you cry

[@theresahenry7473]

Thus was a TV show every week, watch Sha Na Na then Chrley's Angels

[@makingthecoin3647]

There outfits evolved over time and had them years before appearing in Grease. The song was from the 50s legend Roy Orbison. They did not perform this song in Grease. I think you are mistaking Travolta and the actors singing in Grease with this group. It's great you guys enjoyed it though.

[@carltaylor8166]

Shanana was the 💩 back in the day never missed there tv show when I was a kid. Still have there record.

[@janesmith3123]

Beautiful

[@christinerobinson9372]

This is Roy Orbison's huge hit. Sha Na Na did a nice job, but it doesn't have the feels.

[@BM-hb2mr]

You beat me to it lol

[@josemenendez4454]

Roy Orbison song

[@davidkolpack9326]

No, sha na n was 70s..... they were the band that played at the dance In Grease. John y was great. It's a Roy orbison song.. they were a 50's throwback group

[@lorrigaines4902]

The way they dressed in Grease was how the young people dressed in the 50’s.

[@franciscoguzman1034]

They had a TV show in the 1970.

[@rantoppp]

Grease for Peace!

[@user-or1ye3iz6d]

I had a dog named Bowser 😂

[@user-or1ye3iz6d]

Bowser 💪

[@SuperVonKiller]

Don McLean has a cover of this that will have you crying by the end of it! Don't watch unless you have your tissues ready..

[@BillyEllis-yd1tm]

They started at n the 70's

[@gary6754]

i remember being 5/6/7 years old and my uncle watching this show. I freaking hated it.

[@joehaller5155]

Roy Orbison does the best version, gotta see it.

[@robertdanyus6836]

This is a Roy Orbison song.

[@wallybeecher3799]

They parody '50s music

[@donwilson6233]

Old school doo wop.

[@dabneyoduya3356]

Grease? Da Fug you talkin bout Asia?

[@macjbe]

Thank you for the unexpected reaction, this is a fairly weak cover of the Roy Orbison classic, filler on their tv show, their talent and personality come thru much better on the uptempo numbers, imo.

[@randy8297]

Sha Na Na and Grease both copied the 50's. Nothing copied Grease.

[@keithwarrington2430]

it's a good attempt from Sha na na who are a great nostalgia group but it's very much a copy of, but not, Roy Orbison is it, they don't make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up like Roy does.

[@harf59]

Fun fact. Roy Orbison LOVED how Johnny Contardo sang crying. He said "I wish I could sing it like that."

[@clarkgeiger4988]

he just cant sing it like ROY did