UD law prof was Sha-Na-Na co-founder

“I think he was definitely an advocate for the artist,” said Lisa Grigsby, executive director of FilmDayton, for which she said Greene served as a board member.

“And I think that comes from his background as an entertainer,” she added. “And then moving forward into law he was really all about trying to make sure that people knew what the possibilities were — figuring out how to turn that into a long-term advantage for themselves.”

Among the courses he taught at UD were constitutional law and entertainment law, according to the university.

“Dr. Greene was a beloved and highly respected member of the campus community and our prayers go out to his family, friends, colleagues and students,” according to a statement from the university.

Greene helped create Sha-Na-Na in 1969 on the campus of Columbia University, where he was earned his bachelor’s degree three years later, according to UD. With Greene on vocals, the band featured a musical style from the 1950s and released its first album, Rock & Roll is Here to Stay, in its first year, the group’s website states.

The group was part of Woodstock, a three-day concert in August of 1969 that featured some of the biggest rock bands of the decade. Sha-Na-Na developed a loyal following, released several albums during the 1970s and toured internationally.

The group later hosted a syndicated television show and in 1978 was featured in “Grease.” In the film, Greene sang lead on “Tears on My Pillow.”

Greene earned a master’s degree from Harvard University in 1984 before obtaining his law degree three years later from Yale University. He taught law and was a visiting professor at several universities – including The Ohio State University – before joining UD, according to that law school’s website.

He joined the FilmDayton board in 2008, where he downplayed his music and entertainment fame while he helped budding filmmakers, Grigsby said.

“He didn’t really talk about it,” she said of his days with Sha-Na-Na. “But I think that was the driving force behind why he thought it was so important that entertainers or show business people must really be educated as to what the law was and to do it right and to take time to put things in writing and research them. He was a big advocate for that.”

Funeral arrangements are pending, according to the university.