Today, July 26, 2023, is the 25th anniversary of the passing of Dave “Chico” Ryan. As a beloved member of Sha Na Na, handsome Chico sang the songs of the sweet, sensitive teen heartthrob, such as Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers, and Ricky Nelson. Also, in the brief comedy skits that were a standard part of the Sha Na Na Show, Chico often played the part of the lovable dummy, to hilarious effect. Sadly, Chico was one of the first members of Sha Na Na to leave us too soon, but it’s obvious that he still has many fans who have told the stories about their own teenage crushes that they had on him. I chose this “Teenager in Love” video as part of my tribute to Chico because it showcases the Sha Na Na comedy in such a hilarious way. Many of us would love to learn the story of Chico singing the word “aks” instead of “ask,” and being scarcely unable to hold back his laughter, while Denny, Johnny and, especially, Santini are “grieving” over Chico’s love’s confusing treatment of him. Oh, the despair! The melodrama! Chico, you are still very much loved. I pray that you’re resting in sweet peace.
ROTFL, I love how while he tries so hard not to crack up after saying "Axe the stars up above" that his "why must I be a teenager in love" comes out so sounding so ethereal and delicate.
I remember watching this on TV when it was fresh and new. Obviously i noted he sang "Aks" instead of "Ask" and thought it was just the song. Over the years I actually met people who said Aks and could not say it as Ask. For some odd reason it is endearing and attractive
It will always be Chico's song. He just fit it so perfectly. Don't get me wrong there is NO song Donny can't sing to perfection just to me this WAS Chico.
Did you notice how every time he said "Each night I AKS the stars up above" he barely kept from laughing? And I swear Santini was over there cracking up toward the end.
Obviously this has to be a bet. Chico was cracking up every time sang "aks" and Santini can barely keep it together. Even at the end Santini comes over to him and Chico gives oh the slightest look as if to say "didn't think I would do it, huh" So nice to see things when everything was edited. Love watching this videos
Beverly Julian I'm not so sure. This was not a live performance and the producers had lots of time to decide about this. I really have no idea, since they always tried to stay true to the song.
Beverly Julian while I initially agreed with you and could still see this as some kind of inside joke, Santino could just be playing the part of an emotional "teenager in love" and breaking down over his teenage love as part of the choreography rather than cracking up and trying to maintain as Chico continues to mutilate the word "ask". That Jocko tries to "console" him supports that maybe he is just playing the part of an emotional "teenager in love" rather than trying to "hold it together" throughout the supposed joke. I wish we could dig up some inside info on this and find out the real truth behind this bizarre cover, although I still LOVE it!! Whether Chico is truly doing his best to sing this song or whether it's kind of a joke- he comes across as so confused and discouraged and I can't help but wish he was thinking of me :) Maybe in some biography or "tell-all" that one of the band mates wrote or will write someday.
@@toricrawford8400 This is the reply I got from the Sha Na Na website. "Chico singing the word "ask" as "aks" in Teenager in Love was sung that way as an inside joke."
@nomicrowave : he is just so sweet. LOVE his jacket. Come see his website (just go to chicoryan and add a dot and a com and add 3 w's in the front) also at FaceBook look up David "Chico" Alan Ryan ♥
Chico is laughing at himself saying aks. Perhaps the first time it was an accident but then he kept doing it. Santini OTOH is acting like he's the singer, crying over his teenager-in-loveness. Note he's got a towel to cry into, that's had to have been prepared.
This is the reply I got from the Sha Na Na website. "Chico singing the word "ask" as "aks" in Teenager in Love was sung that way as an inside joke." He also cracks up in this skit with the song. ua-cam.com/video/T326bU5eDuI/v-deo.html In that video the other guys are trying to console the singers.
@@LisaKoffler yeah. I realized that Chico was the other guy I was dissing. He was doing a parody the first time. This is straightforward and very good. And he looked different with glasses..It was before the TV show. So,sorry Chico. Sorry you were not around to defend yourself..
It might have been because of the song itself being a teenager in love and he was pretending to cry. But I like to think he was laughing at Chico's flubs.
Today, July 26, 2023, is the 25th anniversary of the passing of Dave “Chico” Ryan. As a beloved member of Sha Na Na, handsome Chico sang the songs of the sweet, sensitive teen heartthrob, such as Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers, and Ricky Nelson. Also, in the brief comedy skits that were a standard part of the Sha Na Na Show, Chico often played the part of the lovable dummy, to hilarious effect.
Sadly, Chico was one of the first members of Sha Na Na to leave us too soon, but it’s obvious that he still has many fans who have told the stories about their own teenage crushes that they had on him.
I chose this “Teenager in Love” video as part of my tribute to Chico because it showcases the Sha Na Na comedy in such a hilarious way. Many of us would love to learn the story of Chico singing the word “aks” instead of “ask,” and being scarcely unable to hold back his laughter, while Denny, Johnny and, especially, Santini are “grieving” over Chico’s love’s confusing treatment of him. Oh, the despair! The melodrama!
Chico, you are still very much loved. I pray that you’re resting in sweet peace.
Thanks for posting this. My brother passed away a few days ago in 2022 and we used to watch Sha Na Na as kids in the 70's
He truly truly was.He looks so nice in lavender. I think the world is truly worse without this fine talent.
Galya peeva she was still saved 70s TV show on doing live concert in Ed Sullivan show on doing live music 1953 on the same time years before New
Chico couldn't keep a straight face. Funny as hell. you're truly missed buddy. RIP
Awwww Chico is such a doll!!!
love Chico he has a sweet smile and he sure can sing
ROTFL, I love how while he tries so hard not to crack up after saying "Axe the stars up above" that his "why must I be a teenager in love" comes out so sounding so ethereal and delicate.
I remember watching this on TV when it was fresh and new. Obviously i noted he sang "Aks" instead of "Ask" and thought it was just the song. Over the years I actually met people who said Aks and could not say it as Ask. For some odd reason it is endearing and attractive
It will always be Chico's song. He just fit it so perfectly. Don't get me wrong there is NO song Donny can't sing to perfection just to me this WAS Chico.
Don't forget Johnny - he can also sing anything!
Joe Witkin!!!
Chico😍💔
He might sing it now but Chico OWNS it. NO ONE does it like Chico ^^I^^
This video is perfect for a good laugh!
R I P Sweet CHICO!
My first song I learnt in the early 1958.
funny how he says "axe". Lovely rendition of the song.
Thanks for posting, haven't seen any of these clips in years.
Now this was singing!! All-time great song from Dion & the Belmonts! -----Wolfsky9
I see that Danny and Screamin changed places for the song. Good showing of various talents.
MAGIC!!!!!!!!! MOMENT
Chico is so cute!!!
Yes he was!
Thank you so much for uploading this!! One of my first crushes, and definitely first intros to this great song.
Did you notice how every time he said "Each night I AKS the stars up above" he barely kept from laughing? And I swear Santini was over there cracking up toward the end.
Some people just can't hold back their laughing, no matter how hard they try!
Seen this at 'het Spant' in Bussum the Netherlands in 1970. Great Show! :-)
That cracked me up when he said that part!
Obviously this has to be a bet. Chico was cracking up every time sang "aks" and Santini can barely keep it together. Even at the end Santini comes over to him and Chico gives oh the slightest look as if to say "didn't think I would do it, huh" So nice to see things when everything was edited. Love watching this videos
Beverly Julian I'm not so sure. This was not a live performance and the producers had lots of time to decide about this. I really have no idea, since they always tried to stay true to the song.
Beverly Julian while I initially agreed with you and could still see this as some kind of inside joke, Santino could just be playing the part of an emotional "teenager in love" and breaking down over his teenage love as part of the choreography rather than cracking up and trying to maintain as Chico continues to mutilate the word "ask". That Jocko tries to "console" him supports that maybe he is just playing the part of an emotional "teenager in love" rather than trying to "hold it together" throughout the supposed joke. I wish we could dig up some inside info on this and find out the real truth behind this bizarre cover, although I still LOVE it!! Whether Chico is truly doing his best to sing this song or whether it's kind of a joke- he comes across as so confused and discouraged and I can't help but wish he was thinking of me :) Maybe in some biography or "tell-all" that one of the band mates wrote or will write someday.
@@toricrawford8400 He also cracks up in this skit with the song. ua-cam.com/video/T326bU5eDuI/v-deo.html
@@toricrawford8400 This is the reply I got from the Sha Na Na website. "Chico singing the word "ask" as "aks" in Teenager in Love was sung that way as an inside joke."
I don't know if there's any gambling involved, but it's NOT easy always having to keep a straight face!
When I was young I was a teenager in love with this guy...
roguejulie My Mom had 1 rule girls are welcome but not upstairs.
That same rule can also apply to boys!
I see him having fun with it, " Each night I AKS .... the Starse...... up Aaaa bove.
Grease for Peace
"Axe" LOL!
I remember this episode as if it was yesterday. Cute then, cuter now.
He's still cute in Heaven!
Dion DiMucci is the original singer, Dion sang with Dion and the Belmonts.
Thank you for letting me know☺ Trying to get all the ducks in a row.
working on getting any videos I can of them. Got a new one of them today of them in concert . Earlier than Dirty Dan era.
My Mom has a VHS of this. She said taped a marathon. I watched it I really like SHA NA NA. Funny this guy is her crush. Chico I think his name is
Chico was his nickname.
Hi guys you are so sweet and Hot chili peppers are you feeling 💓
@nomicrowave Seems to me like Santini must've bet him that he wouldn't sing it like that and started laughing when he actually did.
Love it! Almost as good as the original! BTW who is the original singer?
History documentary Biography years review History New 50s 70s Ron Howard t.v. show movie
@nomicrowave : he is just so sweet. LOVE his jacket. Come see his website (just go to chicoryan and add a dot and a com and add 3 w's in the front) also at FaceBook look up David "Chico" Alan Ryan ♥
His real first name was David!
I'm surprised Johnny didn't sing this but Chico had the voice also
They all took turns singing different songs.
Chico is laughing at himself saying aks. Perhaps the first time it was an accident but then he kept doing it. Santini OTOH is acting like he's the singer, crying over his teenager-in-loveness. Note he's got a towel to cry into, that's had to have been prepared.
This is the reply I got from the Sha Na Na website. "Chico singing the word "ask" as "aks" in Teenager in Love was sung that way as an inside joke."
He also cracks up in this skit with the song. ua-cam.com/video/T326bU5eDuI/v-deo.html
In that video the other guys are trying to console the singers.
RIP darling Danny. He passed away today July 23rd 2009 at 4AM ^^I^^
Don't forget Chico, Denny, and Lennie!
This is better than the clip of the other guy singing it.
ANY member of Sha Na Na can sing this song, since they ALL have outstanding singing voices!
@@LisaKoffler yeah. I realized that Chico was the other guy I was dissing. He was doing a parody the first time. This is straightforward and very good. And he looked different with glasses..It was before the TV show. So,sorry Chico. Sorry you were not around to defend yourself..
and in later times he chanes the ring to his other hand
It might have been because of the song itself being a teenager in love and he was pretending to cry. But I like to think he was laughing at Chico's flubs.
@AJFavorite Adam Sandler wishes he were this good looking!
Ask him!
Don't cry on your gril guys
I think of Zappa's record : Ruben and the Set !
I thought of Chico as a little brother, though he was 8 years older than I.
Must be a long axe......
Actually,Chico does Bobby Vee songs best.
Bruce Clarke sang before Chico.
Hi cihoc sorry 😐 don't have any other boyfriend
ask is spelled a s k,not aks.
it's ask,not aks or axe.
Amen!!! Damn Bowzer is hot!!!
So is Johnny!
Ryan Reynolds is immortal
oh a rare appearance. chico doesnt sing very much compared to the others. sad he was the first to pass away..
He was the second to pass away. You forget VinnieTaylor.
@@surrealfarm does anyone know what really happened to Chico? I heard a rumor but was never sure if it was true or not
HE SURE IS NO DION
He doesn't need to be, as long as he can sing this song "properly!"
sure that's not Adam Sandler?
No way!
He sings: "Aks" instead of "Ask". xD lol
Though he does have a pretty nice singing voice. ^^
Daniël Fuhres if you notice his laughing it must be some sort of inside joke among the guys. Pretty awesome imo
Maybe he's just showing off his sense of humor!