John Fair "Jocko" Marcellino (born May 12, 1950) is an American musician best known as one of the founders of the rock and roll group Sha Na Na, where he performed drums and vocals. He performed with Sha Na Na at the original Woodstock Festival, in the movie Grease and on their eponymous syndicated TV show.[1]
Jocko Marcellino | |
|---|---|
 Marcellino in 2004 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | John Fair Marcellino |
| Born | May 12, 1950 Quincy, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Genres | Rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, actor |
| Instrument(s) | Drums, vocals |
| Years active | 1969–present |
| Formerly of | Sha Na Na |
Early life and education
editMarcellino was born in Quincy, Massachusetts, and raised in Braintree,[2] the fifth of six children. His younger sister is Noella Marcellino.[3] He began drumming at age seven and formed his first band, The Miltones from Milton, Massachusetts, at age 13. At 17, he joined The Pilgrims with saxophonist Lennie Baker, whom he later recruited for Sha Na Na. He was also an all conference and all state football player at Archbishop Williams High School in Braintree.[2] He attended Columbia University as member of the class of 1972.[1][4] Marcellino earned a B.A. from Columbia University and later a master's degree in drama from New York University.
Career
editSha Na Na
editDuring his freshman year at the age of 19, a group of students and Marcellino formed Sha Na Na. In the summer of 1969, Marcellino performed with Sha Na Na at Woodstock, only the group's eighth performance.
Marcellino continued to tour with Sha Na Na, along with co-founder Donny York and long-term member Screamin' Scott Simon.[5] Sha Na Na announced they would no longer tour on December 5, 2022. He also tours with his side rhythm and blues band "Jocko and the Rockets".
Acting
editMarcellino's acting credits include television's Veronica Mars, NYPD Blue, Ally McBeal, The Tiger Woods Story, Herman's Head, Good Advice, 18 Wheels of Justice, The Invisible Man, Amazing Stories, and It's Garry Shandling's Show.
He also acted in the films Rain Man, National Security and Hot to Trot. Marcellino has also written and performed songs for the films Rain Man, That's Life and Night of the Comet; and television shows Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Office, Terriers, Castle, Kath & Kim, Parks and Recreation, Golden Boy, Once Upon a Time and ESPN's Monday Countdown.
Personal life
editMarcellino lives with his wife in La Jolla, California.[1][6] His younger sister, Benedictine nun Mother Noella Marcellino, is an international cheese expert, and was featured in a PBS documentary called The Cheese Nun.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Jocko Marcellino keeps the music playing for fans of Sha Na Na". La Jolla Light. December 21, 2010. Archived from the original on July 1, 2011.
- ^ a b Reedy, R. Scott (September 18, 2012). "'Jocko' Marcellino comes home with Sha Na Na". The Patriot Ledger. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
- ^ Fillo, MaryEllen (March 8, 2009). "'CHEESE NUN,' MOTHER NOELLA MARCELLINO OF BETHLEHEM". The Hartford Courant. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
- ^ "Columbia College band Sha Na Na to return to campus after 47 years". Columbia College. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
- ^ Sha Na Na Official Website FAQ
- ^ Varga, George (September 7, 2016). "Sha Na Na's Jocko happy to have the blues". The San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
- ^ "Sister Noella Marcellino 'Takes Five'". JS Online website. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. March 7, 2006. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2009.