Screamin’ Scott Simon of Sha Na Na Passed Away At 75

Screamin’ Scott Simon of Sha Na Na has passed away at 75 after a long battle with sinus cancer. His daughter, Nina, shared the sad news on social media, posting a heartfelt tribute along with a family photo.

“My dad was a rock star. Literally,” Nina wrote. “A member of Sha Na Na for over 50 years. He loved early morning diners and late nights onstage. But he loved his girls most of all.”

Simon’s Music Journey

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1948, Simon graduated from Columbia University in New York City in 1970. That same year, he joined Sha Na Na, a doo-wop revival group that became famous for covering ’50s rock ‘n’ roll songs. The group even performed at the legendary Woodstock festival in 1969, which helped boost their fame.

Simon wasn’t just a performer with Sha Na Na; he was also a songwriter for the band. In 1978, the group appeared in the hit film Grease as “Johnny Casino and the Gamblers.” Simon co-wrote the song “Sandy” with Louis St. Louis, which was sung by John Travolta in the movie.

Over the decades, Sha Na Na performed alongside big names like John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Steve Martin, Bruce Springsteen, and Billy Joel. They also had their own television show, Sha Na Na, which ran from 1977 to 1981. The show featured a wide range of guest stars, including Chuck Berry, the Ramones, Dusty Springfield, and Billy Crystal.

Simon remained a member of Sha Na Na until 2022 when the band stopped touring after more than five decades of performances. His contributions to music and his unforgettable stage presence will be remembered by fans around the world.

Watch Screamin’ Scott Simon perform on the Sha Na Na Show in the video below.