Sha Na Na

Sha Na Na were a rock and roll/comedy group from New York City, who performed covers of doo wop hits from the 1950s and sent up 1950s New York street culture in their performances. They began under the name The Kingsmen, when the members were attending Columbia University, but changed the name due to the Pacific Northwest group of the same name famous for "Louie, Louie". After playing at the Woodstock Festival in 1969, they enjoyed some success.

With the advent of the 1950s nostalgia craze in the mid-1970s, their level of popularity rapidly increased, inspiring similar groups both in North America and in the United Kingdom. Sha Na Na had a syndicated television show in the late 1970s, featuring guests such as James Brown and The Ramones, amongst others.

Vinnie Taylor (1949 – 1974) (real name Chris Donald) was the lead guitarist. He joined the band in 1970 and died from a heroin overdose on April 17 1974, after a concert at University Hall at the University of Virginia. He was found in a Holiday Inn hotel room in Charlottesville, Virginia.

See also: List of artists who died of drug-related causes