Lennie Baker
Posted on 02/26/2016 8:36:47 PM PST by massmike
Lennie Baker, a longtime member of the rock and doo-wop group Sha Na Na, who sang lead on its hit version of “Blue Moon,” died on Wednesday in Weymouth, Mass. He was 69.
He had been hospitalized after developing an infection, David Baker, a nephew, said.
Sha Na Na found fame resurrecting 1950s rock ’n’ roll with a retro style of singing and stage choreography that mixed tight harmonies with dashes of comedy. Starting in 1970, Lennie Baker spent 30 years touring with the group as a vocalist and saxophone player.
He sang the group’s upbeat doo-wop version of “Blue Moon” in a recording as well as in performances around the world, in one instance at Carnegie Hall. The tune, written in 1934 by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, was his favorite, he often said.
He also sang lead on the song in the 1978 movie “Grease,” in which the group performed as Johnny Casino and the Gamblers. And he appeared with the group on “Sha Na Na,” its comedy and variety television show broadcast from 1977 to 1980.
Mr. Baker left Sha Na Na in 2000 and lived on Martha’s Vineyard.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Lennie Baker
RIP.
Play on, Lennie, play on! R.I.P.
Loved that group and loved watching their TV show! It was good clean fun.
In before the Cruzbots! (IBTC)
I saw them at the Circle Star theater in Red Wood City many many years ago. It was such a great venue to see musical acts you were fairly close to the stage and not a ton of people just the right amount. I loved them!
bookmark
I was only a kid but remember the show and liked it.
Yeah! I saw KC and the Sunshine Band and a bunch of others there...
No Cal had/has a great music scene...miss it.
RIP.
R.I.P Lennie.
I always loved Sha Na Na - and you.
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