Song:Shannon
Album:Then: Totally Oldies '70s Vol. 6
Shannon was the only big hit for singer songwriter Henry Gross in 1976. He still records on his own label and writes songs for others. He was born Apr. 1, 1951 in Brooklyn, NY. His mom was an opera singer. As a teen, he performed in the hotels in the Catskills. While attending Brooklyn College, he formed the 50s tribute band Sha Na Na and played guitar. Gross left Sha Na Na and signed with ABC Dunhill Records. His debut album Henry Gross didn't sell. But at the time, Terry Cashman and Tommy West were recording for Dunhill as Cashman & West. They were also producers. They liked Gross and when they signed a deal with A & M Records in 1973, they brought Gross with them. Gross recorded two albums for A & M that did okay. When Cashman & West started their own label Lifesong, again they took Gross with them. The single Shannon reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976. Gross wrote Shannon after Carl Wilson's dog died. So that's why the song is a little weepy. Gross has never had another big hit. You can get Shannon on this Varese Records various artists comp. Shannon got a boost when it appeared in the 2004 film Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy. After three albums for Lifesong, Gross recorded for Capitol. In the 80s, he was in the touring production of the musical Pump Boys & Dinettes. He moved to Nashville and signed a publishing deal. He has recorded for his own label Zelda Records since the 90s. In 2001, he released Edwards, Gross & Paul with Jonathan Edwards and Henry Paul. Here's a video for Shannon by Henry Gross.
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