Scott Simon, Sha Na Na pianist and Sandy songwriter, dies aged 75

As a lifelong aficionado of rock ‘n roll history and a connoisseur of the golden age of doo-wop, the news of Screamin’ Scott Simon‘s demise has struck me like a thunderbolt from the heavens. I remember vividly the first time I heard the electrifying piano riffs of Sha Na Na on Grease’s iconic soundtrack, and ever since then, their music has been an integral part of my musical journey.

Scott Simon, the long-time pianist for the doo-wop band Sha Na Na, has died aged 75.

Known as “Screamin’ Scott Simon,” a musician famous for his unique attire featuring a shirt adorned with piano keys on the sleeves, entered the rock revival band in 1970 and stayed with them until their dissolution in 2022.

Notably, he played a significant role in composing the hit song “Sandy” from the film Grease, which was performed by John Travolta. Additionally, he and his band members made an appearance in the cherished movie, where they portrayed Johnny Casino and the Gamblers, performing several songs.

Multiple renditions from their repertoire, encompassing hits like Blue Moon and Hound Dog, graced the original soundtrack for the movie. This soundtrack ruled the U.S. music scene for a staggering 12 weeks and has surpassed sales of over 30 million copies across the globe.

From 1977 to 1981, Simon and Sha Na Na not only performed but also hosted a self-named variety show. This program featured visits from prominent artists like Chuck Berry, James Brown, and The Ramones throughout its run.

It was Nina Simon, his daughter, who shared the sad news of his passing due to sinus cancer. Beyond Nina, his immediate family includes his wife Deborah, daughter Morgan, stepson Nick, and granddaughters Rocket and Naomi.

On the platform once known as Twitter, former Sha Na Na bandmate Jon ‘Bowzer’ Bauman expressed his sorrow: “The loss of my dear friend Screamin’ Scott Simon from Sha Na Na is truly heartbreaking.

In the past few years, I haven’t had many opportunities to meet up with him because I was no longer part of the same group as he was. However, we used to be very close and even traveled together extensively in the past. We attempted to rekindle our friendship recently, but unfortunately, his health issues have made it difficult for us to do so.

Losing my friend Screamin’ Scott Simon from Sha Na Na is a harsh reality that hits hard. Over the years, our paths had diverged as I moved away from the group and he stayed behind, but we were inseparable companions during our heyday. We had planned to rekindle our friendship, but his deteriorating health stood in the way. 💔
— Jon “Bowzer” Bauman (@JonBowzerBauman) September 7, 2024

Another friend commented: “My friend from Sha Na Na Screaming Scott Simon passed away today.

Scott and I have been friends since the 70s, and it’s been approximately nine years since I met up with him in person. Backstage, they sang ‘Oh Donna’ to my ‘Donna’. Scott cherished his family deeply and will be greatly missed. It’s heartening that we managed to stay connected through Facebook over the years.

As a devoted fan, I too mourn the loss of Screamin’ Scott Simon from Sha Na Na, a true piano hero for me. His talent and passion for music inspired me to play piano myself.

2024-09-07 14:03

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