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Scott Simon Dies: 52-Year Sha Na Na Singer Who Co-Wrote Song For ‘Grease’ Was 75


"Screamin' Scott" Simon, who sang with the early rock-revival group Sha Na Na for 52 years and co-wrote the song "Sandy" for 'Grease,' died September 6 at 75.

The group basked in the ’50s and early-’60s nostalgia craze of the mid-’70s as America came to grips with Watergate and Vietnam. Spurred by George Lucas’ American Graffiti and hit records by early-rock acts including Berry’s “My Ding-a-Ling” and Ricky Nelson’s “Garden Party,” the fad helped popularize the likes of “oldies” radio and TV shows and films including Happy Days and The Lords of Flatbush. Born on December 9, 1948, in Kansas City, Scott moved to Los Angeles to perform in all 96 episodes of Sha Na Na, their 30-minute variety show that featured his band and guest artists ranging from Chuck Berry, James Brown and Bo Diddley to the Ramones and Billy Crystal.

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