Denny Greene facts for kids
Frederick Dennis Greene (born January 11, 1949 – died September 5, 2015) was a talented American singer. He was a member of the famous group Sha Na Na. This group started in 1969 at Columbia University in New York. They were first called the Columbia Kingsmen. They changed their name to Sha Na Na because another group had a similar name.
The TV show Sha Na Na was on TV from 1978 to 1981. Denny, as he was known, helped create many of the dance moves for the show. He was seen as the smartest member of the group on the show. Denny also sang the lead part in the song "Tears on My Pillow". This was when he appeared with Sha Na Na in the movie Grease in 1978. Denny also performed at Woodstock with Sha Na Na. This was right before Jimi Hendrix played.
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Early Life and School
Greene was born in New York, New York. He grew up in Harlem and the Bronx. He finished high school at the Hotchkiss School. He then earned a bachelor's degree from Columbia University in 1971.
After leaving Sha Na Na, he continued his education. He earned a Master of Education degree from Harvard University in 1984. He then went to law school, which he had wanted to do since he was a kid. He graduated with a law degree (J.D.) from Yale Law School in 1987.
Life After Sha Na Na
Frederick Greene had a very interesting career after his time with Sha Na Na. He used his education in both film and law.
Working in Movies and Law
After graduating from Yale Law School, Greene worked in the movie industry. He was the Vice President of Production and Features at Columbia Pictures. Later, he became President at Lenox/Greene films.
Teaching Law
Greene also became a law professor. He taught at Florida A&M University and the University of Oregon School of Law. He taught classes like entertainment law, which is about laws for movies and music. He also taught about "Race, Mass Media, and the Law." He was a visiting professor at other universities too. These included Ohio State, Seton Hall, and the University of Connecticut.
He was also on the Board of Directors for the Society of American Law Teachers. He is listed in Who's Who Among African-Americans.
From December 2007 until he passed away, Greene was a Professor of Law. He taught at the University of Dayton School of Law. His classes included Torts, Entertainment Law, and Constitutional Law.
Denny Greene died in Dayton on September 5, 2015. He was 66 years old.
Movies and TV Shows
Denny Greene appeared in several movies and TV shows.
- 1970 - Woodstock - as himself with Sha Na Na
- 1972 - Dynamite Chicken - as himself with Sha Na Na
- 1977 - Greased Lightning - playing the character Slack
- 1978 - Grease - with Sha Na Na as Johnny Casino and the Gamblers
- 1994 - Woodstock Diary - as himself with Sha Na Na
- 2003 - Festival Express - as himself with Sha Na Na
