Hey friend! Were you one of the millions of TV viewers who used to delight in watching Bowser belt out his signature “Sha na na!” song on the 1970s variety show? Or maybe you’ve seen the lovable greaser in old reruns and always wondered – what was the deal with that catchphrase anyway?
Well, you’ve come to the right place! As a home renovation buff and entertainment enthusiast, I’ve dug deep into the history of Sha Na Na and the origins of their beloved big guy Bowser. Get ready for a nostalgic trip down memory lane as we relive those classic “Sha na na” moments and more.
Reviving the Golden Age of Rock n’ Roll
Before we zoom in on Bowser, let’s set the scene by looking back at how Sha Na Na exploded onto the music scene in the first place.
The group came together in 1969 when a dozen students at Columbia University in New York City decided to form a band showcasing the rock n’ roll style of the 1950s and early 60s. With the country in turmoil over Vietnam and civil rights struggles, they aimed to provide an entertaining escape highlighting the golden age of rock.
Their timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Sha Na Na caught the attention of iconic promoter Bill Graham, landing a spot at the legendary Woodstock Festival that same year. This gave them national exposure and kicked off success through the 70s as they brought oldies like “At the Hop” and “Blue Moon” to a new generation.
Some key stats on the band‘s meteoric rise to fame:
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Sold out 6 weeks of shows at the famed Copacabana nightclub in NYC in 1972
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Charted 3 Top 40 albums on the Billboard Hot 100 between 1973 and 1981
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TV variety series aired 97 episodes from 1977 to 1981, attracting over 80 million viewers
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Performed in the iconic 1978 movie musical Grease as 1950s act Johnny Casino and the Gamblers
With their leather jackets, greased hair, and synchronized dance routines, Sha Na Na created an experience that transported audiences back to the earliest days of rock. But it was their larger-than-life personalities – especially Bowser – who really made the nostalgia act memorable.
Who Was the Lovable “Burger-Eating Teen” Bowser?
Sha Na Na was packed with colorful characters, but none more beloved than Bowser. Portrayed by John “Bowler” Baumann, one of the group’s twelve founding members, Bowser was conceived as an exaggerated caricature of the rebellious yet simple-minded greaser youth culture of the 1950s.
With his signature sleeveless leather jacket, dark mullet, and visible scar across his cheek, Bowser struck an unmistakable visual figure on stage. But it was his lovable personality that really shone through.
Bowser spoke with comical grammatical mistakes, referring to himself in the third person (“Hey y’all, Bowser here!”) and using nonsensical slang like “dip city” and “boss shmoss.” His interests were simple – chasing girls, strutting his stuff, eating cheeseburgers, and of course, dancing the night away.
Bandmates say Bowser was inspired by Frankie Avalon’s dim-witted but softhearted character on the 1960s “beach party” movies. Offstage, John Baumann was an intellectual student studying literature and philosophy. But he crafted Bowser as an affectionate parody of the well-meaning, but goofy 1950s “drop-out” obsessed with rock, rebels, and having a blast.
Audiences couldn’t get enough of the energetic teen who embodied the frivolous fun of early rock culture. And that leads us to his signature routine…
Breaking Down Bowser’s Iconic “Sha Na Na” Song
The moment that often had audiences cracking up came when Bowser would suddenly burst into his rapid-fire chant of “Sha na na, sha na na na na!”
This nonsensical phrase, first shouted on the Sha Na Na variety series, perfectly encapsulated everything about Bowser’s whimsical personality. Let’s closely examine the lyrics:
“Sha na na
Sha na na na na
Sha na na
Boogie oogie oogie”
And ending in a final emphatic “Sha na na!” yell.
Sha Na Na members confirm the words truly have no meaning at all. Bowser would belt out this tune to fill gaps between songs, or whenever the spirit moved him. It was just meant as a goofy musical interjection to get audiences pumped up.
Music historians have noted Bowser didn’t even sing it 100% consistently:
- He sometimes reversed the order of “sha na na” and “boogie oogie oogie”
- The number of “na’s” in the repetition varied between performances
- Dance moves didn’t follow a strict choreography
But that perfectly reflected the spoof nature of the chant. It was all just part of the lighthearted revelry!
Bowser often did a call-and-response with the crowd, encouraging everyone to join in. This always whipped audiences into a frenzy. The utter silliness of shouting nonsense words struck a chord. In the midst of cultural change and uncertainty, Bowser’s carefree attitude provided a dose of fun.
Why the Act Resonated through Decades
Looking back, it’s clear Sha Na Na struck a chord that has kept them beloved through generations. Let’s examine some of the key reasons their act still remains iconic today:
Nostalgic Escapism – Their revivalism transported baby boomers back to fond memories of their youth in the 1950s golden era of rock. The act served as an entertaining retreat from contemporary upheaval.
Humor and Exaggeration – By presenting vintage rock in an exaggerated, tongue-in-cheek way, Sha Na Na gave audiences a new amusing perspective on music history.
Personality and Storytelling – Outlandish yet lovable characters like Bowser brought early rock culture to life in an accessible way. Their personas told a story.
Intergenerational Appeal – While boomers appreciated the nostalgia, a younger crowd was drawn in by the songs and comical approach making “oldies” feel fresh again.
Paving the Way for Retro Acts – Musicians today credit Sha Na Na with pioneering the throwback music performance concept that spawned genres like rockabilly revival.
It’s hard to imagine the retro rock scene today without Sha Na Na’s influence. And Bowser remains one of the most symbolic pop culture icons of that era. He represents the silly, full-hearted celebratory spirit of early rock n’ roll.
Where Are They Now? Still Rockin’ After All These Years
Believe it or not, Sha Na Na is still together today performing their classic oldies act for loyal fans. Of the original 1969 Columbia University lineup, guitarist John “Bowser” Baumann remains the sole member still touring with the group.
Now in his early 70s, Bowser has traded his signature mullet for a shorter haircut but still rocks the sleeveless leather jacket. No longer the teenage “burger-eating” caricature, he now portrays a more mature yet still energetic Bowser.
He continues to belt out the iconic “Sha na na!” song at shows, introducing the silly chant to new young audiences. Baumann has expressed gratitude at being able to keep Sha Na Na’s music and memories alive even 50 years later.
While other members have passed or retired over the decades, Bowser now tours with drummer Jocko Marcellino, guitarist Donny York, and pianist/saxophonist Screamin’ Scott Simon. Together, they strive to keep Sha Na Na’s signature retro performers.
So if you hear someone mysteriously shouting “Sha na na!” out of nowhere someday – just smile knowing it’s Bowser, still spreading musical joy in his own quirky way!
More Scoop on Bowser and the Gang
Before we wrap up this rockin’ rollercoaster ride back in time, let’s answer some of the other commonly asked questions about our favorite characters:
Did Bowser attend Woodstock?
- No, Sha Na Na was booked for a NYC show at the time and couldn’t make the historic festival.
How old is Bowser from Sha Na Na?
- He’s believed to be around 73 years old now. Bowser was already performing with the band’s original lineup in 1969.
Did Sha Na Na appear in Grease?
- Yup, they played 1950s act Johnny Casino and the Gamblers at the high school dance.
Is Bowser married or have kids?
- Nope – the goofy Bowser character is portrayed as a perpetual teen, never settling down!
Did Bowser host the game show Hollywood Squares?
- No, that was emceed by various hosts like Peter Marshall, John Davidson and Tom Bergeron.
How many original members still tour?
- Just John “Bowser” Baumann remains from the initial dozen Columbia students who started the band in 1969.
Well friend, I hope you enjoyed this musical blast from the past! It just goes to show how timeless talents like Sha Na Na and charismatic creations like Bowser can stick around in pop culture for generations. Whenever you need some belly laughs or an energizing dose of nostalgia, throw on a classic “Sha na na!” performance and let Bowser transport you back to the carefree days of rock n’ roll.
