The greaseball group known for “At The Hop,” played right before Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock 40 years ago, and founding member Jocko Marcellino confesses that their $350 paycheck for the gig bounced.
On top of that, the 12-person group was paid a whopping $1 to divvy up for their appearance in the iconic Woodstock movie, and Jocko calls it “the greatest eight cents” he’s ever made.
Thanks to Woodstock – which was only the young band’s eighth professional gig – Sha Na Na was given worldwide exposure.
Jocko credits Woodstock for his band’s later success with their own TV show and memorable appearance in Grease.
Though the music fest was a mecca for hippies, Jocko says their upbeat set on the final day woke up the “tired and wasted” crowd, prepping them for Hendrix’s legendary closing performance.
Their commemorative album, Sha Na Na: 40th Anniversary, is out now.
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