SHA NA NA at WOODSTOCK – DUKE OF EARL

A friend and trusted contributor has lamented the recent nomination of Kiss for inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame saying, “In that same nomination group is Nirvana and the Replacements. Wrap your mind around that. A talentless marketing phenomenon anchored in heavy makeup pitched against the very essence of substance over style. There has certainly always been a component of show to rock’n’roll, since Elvis swiveled his hips and James Brown worked in gold lame, but some talent has got to be there for Hall of Fame worthiness.”

I agree in principle. Kiss never moved me. I could live without them. At a certain level of scrutiny they’re a weak Alice Cooper derivative. But then, to be fair, they did move a hellish amount of vinyl at their fire-breathing peak and sold monstrous amounts of concert tickets to many in my generation, forming the first concert memories for most of them. We may have peaked with Elvis Costello and the Clash, but it was Kiss which touched our lips with a first taste of rock’n roll.

Kiss also has a long distance Portland connection. Legend has it that Portland jazz drummer Mel Brown was recruited by KISS founder Gene Simmons to drum in his then-fledgling band. With Brown in makeup behind the drums, the world may never have come to know eventual KISS drummer Peter Criss. Mel considered Simmons’ invitation at the time but chose to continue his role as the tour drummer for Diana Ross before eventually settling in Portland and dominating the jazz scene for decades.

This brings us to Sha Na Na, an annoying band with only a remote connection to KISS or the RRHF. Sha Na Na, rather than KISS, was the theatrical band that I particularly hated (and continue to dislike, hoping fervently that THEY’RE not in the RRHF). It particularly bothered me that the Sha-sters played Woodstock while others like the Doors didn’t land there.

But now, looking at their Woodstock clip again after all these years, I’m starting to like them. Or at least enjoy the puckish energy they brought to this cover of Gene Chandler’s classic tune, “Duke of Earl.” Sha Na Na was the second to last act at Woodstock. They were followed by Jimi Hendrix and his famous rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner.” There are some priceless reaction shots from the crowd in this clip. Look for the raging hot, yet bored senseless, ebony goddess with the Native American headband at approx 00:42.

Does this mean there’s hope for KISS? Probably. There’s always the chance that I will retract any prior dislike after enjoying a gripping Youtube version of “I Was Made For Lovin’ You.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzVEtcCYsbE

And here’s Sha Na Na on their own television show with Ronnie Spector, her leather pants, and a reconstituted Ronettes: