There were over 40 band members in the popular 1970’s group Sha Na Na, but easily the most recognizable of them was Jon “Bowzer” Bauman, whose giant mouth and gangly greaser persona became a rather iconic image of 50’s nostalgia in the 70’s. Today people might forget how big Sha Na Na actually was at one time. The played at Woodstock, headlined with Bruce Springsteen as a supporting act, and were invited to a charity concert by John Lennon. They even had their own syndicated variety show from 1977-1981, not to mention their starring role and soundtrack inclusion in the blockbuster movie version of Grease.
Jon Bauman was appearing at the Hollywood Show on April 2, 2011, alongside frontman singer Johnny Contardo. And as per usual, they had over-priced themselves. I didn’t even bother dealing with Johnny Contardo, because that name was just not one used in my household, whereas Bowzer came up at least once every fifteen years. Actually, I quite well remember him as the second host of Hollywood Squares from 1983-84, one episode of which contained cast members of Leave It To Beaver reuniting on the game show.
So I did approach Bowzer with a request for more reasonable fees. He seemed surprised that someone was actually asking this, but we did end up settling for $30 for the autograph/photo op combo, a savings of ten bucks. My friend Bob decided that Bowzer didn’t even merit haggling with.
He signed my photo with his catchphrase “Grease for Peace,” and did his standard open-mouthed ridiculous pose in our first photo. Bob was taking the picture, and rolled his eyes and asked if this was what I wanted, before requesting one more photo with him – one that was normal, or at least as normal as he was capable of looking.
Celebrity encounters from the Spring 2011 Hollywood Show will continue…
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