Greg, October 2009

The Band: Greg is the lead singer of the ever-mysterious, Steam, that had the Number 1 and mega-selling hit song "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye (Leka/DeCarlo/Frashuer)" at the end of the fateful year of 1969 on the Fontana label. It has been featured in the popular TV show, "Greys Anatomy" and in a number of other TV programs and films like "Raising Helen" and "Remember the Titans". In the beginning, Steam was not a real group at all, but it was a group of studio musicians produced by the remarkably talented Paul Leka, a musical genius that Greg calls the American George Martin who previously co-wrote and produced "Green Tambourine (Leka/Pinz)" for the Lemon Pipers and later went on to produce other famous pop artists like Harry Chapin, Gloria Gaynor, Leslie Gore, and REO Speedwagon. After the Na Na record was released under the imaginary group name of "Steam," it fast became a surprise chart-topping hit, and a separate touring band of musicians was quickly organized and sent out on the road in early 1970 to capitalize on the success of Leka's studio creation. The touring band and song did not last long, but thanks to baseball the song itself was given new life by the Chicago White Sox in the mid-1970s as the melody was played every time a pitcher or other player from the opposing team was removed from the field. The crowds started to sing the na na goodbye chant by the tens of thousands, and today it is used in all types of competitive events in the same manner.

Greg’s History: Greg started out playing music semiprofessionally while still in junior high school at dances and in clubs around New York and New Jersey with a number of local musicians and bands. Starting out as barely a teen, he performed under the show business name of Gary Scott (originally Gary Allen), a name given to him by his handlers to make him appear to be more British while performing many popular tunes from the most popular UK groups of the day like the Beatles. During this period he frequented some of the cafes of Greenwich Village (sometimes cutting classes at school) where he met and worked alongside some very talented musicians, some of which would later become members of Steam. Others were or would later become Pop Icons and household names. Over the years Steam has experienced a number of personnel changes and breakups, and was reformed in 1996 by Greg and other past members of the band. Two years later, he was also successful in reforming the former members of the legendary Vanilla Fudge at the request of his good friend and Fudge guitarist, Vince Martell, and served as their manager for a short period of time.

Today Greg performs mostly as a solo artist to standing ovations around the US and world, and invites you to come out to see him and the band for a musical experience you won't ever forget!

Steam, early 1970s