Screamin’ Scott Simon, Sha Na Na Keyboardist Who Wrote “Sandy” From ‘Grease,’ Dies at 75
Screamin’ Scott Simon, who spent 50 years as the keyboardist for Sha Na Na, died on Sept. 5, 2024, at the age of 75 from sinus cancer. His daughter Nina confirmed the news on Instagram with a statement that read, “My dad was a rock star. Literally. A member of Sha Na Na for over 50 years. He loved early morning diners and late nights onstage. But loved his girls most of all. Screamin’ Scott Simon (1948-2024). Beloved husband, father and grandfather (Boppa). Boppa often said the secret to life is tour management. I feel so grateful I got to be with him as he prepared for his final tour. It was too soon, but as always, he was right on time for the big show. I love you forever.”
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Simon and his band played Woodstock, and had their own variety show, Sha Na Na, which ran from 1977 to 1981 and featured guests like James Brown and Ramones. But they may be best known for their appearance in the 1978 film Grease, where they portrayed Johnny Casino and the Gamblers at Rydell High’s school dance. They sang six songs in the film, earning them a Grammy nomination for the soundtrack. Simon also cowrote the John Travolta number “Sandy” separate from the band, crafting the song’s longing lyrics, while songwriter Louis St. Louis handled the music. “Sandy,” which does not appear in the stage play, was written specifically for the film, after Travolta requested a song of his own. Louis and Simon wrote the song just a week before it was performed for the film.
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The energetic Simon joined Sha Na Na in 1970 just as he was graduating from Columbia University after seeing an ad in the campus newspaper. He remained in the group until they retired in 2020.
He is survived by his wife Deborah, daughters Nina and Morgan, stepson Nick, three sisters and two granddaughters.
70s Pop Idols
May 2019
The biggest and best from the worlds of rock and disco!
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