Everyday Creation
Everyday Creation is about purpose, awe and good vibrations. The show's title refers to three types of creation: The ways we express ourselves (for example, with art, music and so many other pursuits fueled by purpose and passion); the parts of life that fill us with awe (birth, death, love, the big picture); and our personal power to create our best possible lives while also making the world a better place. Here, you’ll encounter interviews, essays and some episodes created simply for information and fun. I'm your host Kate Jones, welcoming you to Everyday Creation.
Everyday Creation
Scott Simon's Piano Playing Added an "Extra Dose of Espresso" to Sha Na Na's Performances
Scott Simon joined Sha Na Na in 1970 after responding to an ad for a keyboard player; he stayed with the group until they stopped touring in 2022.
The image in this episode's thumbnail is the cover of the album "Sha Na Na: Woodstock 20 Years After." Simon is pictured at the far left. In the chapters, there's also a photo of Simon signing autographs in 2009.
To watch Simon and the rest of Sha Na Na perform "Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On," go this video. To learn more about the band, visit the official website.
Simon co-wrote the song "Sandy" for "Grease." To listen to John Travolta sing it, as he did in the 1978 movie, you can go here.
This tribute is one of 41 stories that Sheldon Zoldan, a longtime journalist, has written and recorded in honor of the music notables who passed away in 2024. He's written tributes for other years as well. You can listen to the ones from 2023 on Everyday Creation. We'll have the 2022 tributes available later this year.
Sheldon also is the creator of Song of the Day, a story that he sends by email to a list of subscribers. To get on his subscriber list, email shzoldan@comcast.net with the subject line ADD ME TO SOTD.
This is Kate Jones. Thank you for listening to Everyday Creation, available on YouTube and in podcast directories including Apple, Audible, iHeart and Spotify.
Sheldon:
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Screamin' Scott Simon's collegiate dream came true.
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He never had to work for a living.
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His obituary in the New York Times recalled
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an interview he did with the Kansas City
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Star in 1988:
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The idea was
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you would do just what you liked, and
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somehow the money would take care of itself.
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He liked music and spent his life as
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a member of Sha Na Na.
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Simon died from sinus cancer September 5th in
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Ojai, California.
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He was 75.
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The Song of the Day is paying tribute
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to the musicians, singers and songwriters who died
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in 2024.
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Simon studied music and modern English literature at
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Columbia.
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He joined Sha Na Na in 1970
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after answering an ad in the Columbia school
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newspaper for a band needing a keyboard player.
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Sha Na Na played early rock and roll
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songs and doo-wop.
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They played at Woodstock in the summer of
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1969 on the recommendation of Jimi
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Hendrix.
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The music festival's
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documentary and soundtrack turned them into a national
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act.
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"Adding Simon was like adding an extra shot
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of espresso.
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His 'Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On' was
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a savage attack on the piano
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and became one of the most impactful things
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in our performances,"
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band member Donny York told the New York
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Times.
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Simon, besides playing a mean piano,
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was the de facto manager.
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He booked the shows, decided on what songs
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to play, and acted as travel agent.
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They announced they would quit touring in 2022.
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Simon also wrote songs.
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His best known is "Sandy,"
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which he and Louis St. Louis wrote for
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the movie "Grease."
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John Travolta sang it.
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The song never was released as a single
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in the U.S. but reached number one in
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Ireland and number two in England.
Kate:
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That was Song of the Day creator Sheldon
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Zoldan. And I'm Kate Jones, host of Everyday
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Creation.
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Thank you for joining us today.
