Jocko Marcellino Explained

Jocko Marcellino
Birth Name:John Fair Marcellino
Birth Date:12 May 1950
Birth Place:Quincy, Massachusetts, U.S.
Occupation:Musician, actor
Genre:Rock
Instrument:Drums, vocals
Years Active:1969–present
Past Member Of:Sha Na Na

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]

Early life and education

Marcellino 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. He attended Columbia University as member of the class of 1972.[4] Marcellino earned a B.A. from Columbia University and later a master's degree in drama from New York University.

Career

Sha Na Na

During 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

Marcellino'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 , The Office, Terriers, Castle, Kath & Kim, Parks and Recreation, Golden Boy, Once Upon a Time and ESPN's Monday Countdown.

Personal life

Marcellino lives with his wife in La Jolla, California.[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]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jocko Marcellino keeps the music playing for fans of Sha Na Na. La Jolla Light. December 21, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20110701152658/http://www.lajollalight.com/2010/12/21/jocko-marcellino-keeps-the-music-playing-for-fans-of-sha-na-na/. July 1, 2011.
  2. News: Reedy . R. Scott . 'Jocko' Marcellino comes home with Sha Na Na . August 19, 2020 . The Patriot Ledger . September 18, 2012.
  3. News: Fillo . MaryEllen . 'CHEESE NUN,' MOTHER NOELLA MARCELLINO OF BETHLEHEM . August 19, 2020 . The Hartford Courant . March 8, 2009.
  4. Web site: Columbia College band Sha Na Na to return to campus after 47 years . April 27, 2022 . Columbia College . en.
  5. http://www.shanana.com/faq.htm Sha Na Na Official Website FAQ
  6. News: Varga . George . September 7, 2016 . Sha Na Na's Jocko happy to have the blues . The San Diego Union Tribune . August 19, 2020.
  7. Web site: Sister Noella Marcellino 'Takes Five'. January 18, 2009. March 7, 2006. JS Online website. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.