On December 20, 2024, Southside Johnny announced he was retiring from touring effective immediately. His annual show for New Year's Eve was cancelled and fans around the world starting paying tribute to him and wondering what the future would hold for him and the Asbury Jukes. New Jersey Stage wanted to pay tribute to him as well, so we reached out to fans in the "Jukebox: Southside Johnny fanzine" Facebook group, some musicians, and industry professionals for their thoughts.
Les Gura - Les and his wife, Terrie, had plans to see Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes in Alexandria, Virginia last December. He has seen Southside more than 60 times in the last 45 years, but this was a show unlike any he had seen before. The trip got off to a bad start when their 18-month old husky-shepherd mix, Roxie, came down with kennel cough a few days before they were to depart. Terrie decided to stay home and care for the dog. Les went on to the show where I believe Southside Johnny first had his health issues come to light.
“Southside Johnny, who recently celebrated his 76th birthday, abruptly left the stage, seemingly upset with himself, amid the fifth song of his set Saturday night at The Birchmere, the popular club where I’d seen him half a dozen times. He didn’t return, but the Jukes, a talented and eclectic set of musicians, soldiered on for an hour, giving a rousing performance in their leader’s absence, playing a mix of Jukes favorites, covers and some of the band members’ own songs.
“Alas, it is entirely possible I did catch a “special” night—the night “Uncle South,” as he’s often referred to, left the stage. Somehow, Roxie being sick and not being able to have a getaway vacay with Terrie seemed unimportant.
“This group has been a musical anchor of my life, more so than Springsteen. I attended a Jukes show in New York in recovery from my father’s funeral in 1982. I last attended a Jukes show solo in Charlotte in February 2015 amid a breakup with a then girlfriend. The next night, I went to a show in Durham that is notable because it represents what Terrie to this day insists was our first date. Even though we didn’t really begin “going out” until three months later…
"Since the weekend show, I’ve found myself fretting about 'Uncle South' and the future of the group that has been such a permanent part of the life of this horn-loving, blues-rock aficionado. I don’t know if Saturday was a momentary blip or something more, but if this was it for Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, I’m glad I was there."
Michael Kondrak
There are fakes, there are flukes, but there's only one Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes!
Finally sinking in Johnny & the Jukes will be off the road for the first time in 50 years. He'll more than likely perform here and there once he feels up to it. The road is brutal for those deep into their golden years. No more vans, buses, planes, airports, hotels, etc. for Southside. It's the reason many "vintage" acts do residencies in Vegas.
I've seen SS&TAJ about 100x since 1984. Every show I attended was worth it. Some were better than others, but he never mailed it in. The Jukes never performed the same show twice. The first time I ever actually saw Southside in person was at the RAC when I was a freshman in high school. He sang the national anthem before a Nets/76ers playoff game in 1979.
So many memorable shows.... Bruce showed up at a few of them... Steve Van Zandt, Jon Bon Jovi at some others. Witnessing the camaraderie between the Jersey Shore musicians was always a joy. However, the Jukes didn't need special guests. They brought it live each and every time, regardless of the size of the venue. Although Asbury Park was their home base, the Jukes were truly a Jersey band. I saw 'em at more than 25 different places in NJ... from Waterloo Village to Bound Brook to Holmdel to Jackson to Atlantic City and so many other locales in between.
Here is a photo Michael Kondrak took of Southside at a concert in the parking lot at the Meadowlands before the USFL championship game on July 14, 1985 (the day after Live Aid!).
There are few fans of Southside Johnny like Linda Tartaglione. In the 1980s, she created a fanzine for Southside, which morphed over the years to the Facebook group Jukebox. It's a place where SSJ fans from around the world gather each day.
What inspired you to created a Southside fanzine? And did you ever imagine it leading to the worldwide community it became? I love the Jukes and wanted to help spread news and tour dates so everyone could join in on the fun. I had 100 subscribers at the most in 1989. My Jukebox Facebook group currently has over 6,300 members all over the world. I love everything about the group especially the community of fans “who get it” and sharing news, photos, videos, stories and memories. It blows my mind that when the Jukes played 3 shows in Japan in 1987, I wrote a few sentences about it in the fanzine. When they went back in 2017, Jukebox members graciously posted photos and videos and it amazed me that we could in a sense be right there with them in Japan!
When you hear the name Southside Johnny, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Pure happiness. I’ve been following Southside and the Jukes for over 40 years and I never lost that sense of wonderment. I’d be just as excited to see them for each show as I was the first time. And when they step onstage, everything bad goes away and you are in the moment and it’s just the best night of your life, every time, every show. All is right in the world when you’re at a Jukes show and it will always be that way in my heart.
Andrea Maxson
Southside Johnny and the Jukes mean to me togetherness, happiness, and amazing musical talent. It amazes me how he and the band can just switch up a song and go on playing it flawlessly.
Became a fan immediately after seeing them on the Syracuse university quad in 1980 and 1981 my freshman and sophomore years of college. I had met friends from New Jersey who knew of him and the band prior to that who influenced me as well.
So many favorite songs that I have loved over the years from Hearts of Stone, All the Way Home, On the air, Without Love. Hard to pick just one. They’re the kind of songs that you don’t just like for a period of time. They stay with you forever.
My Favorite Album is “Reach Up and Touch the Sky.”
Favorite concert was at the Agora in Hartford I believe 1981 when I was standing near the stage and Johnny came over held my face and sang to me. I was so stunned I can’t remember the song. Such a memory!! I was only 19 so left such an impression on me being very shy at that age. I only wish I was able to capture that moment but no cell phones back then. Such a clear memory even now at 62 years old. What an amazing show!!
I would have so many thing to say to Johnny. Thank you for that moment at the Agora it changed my life. I would love to chat about birds, crosswords, reading. My dad raced pigeons so was always fond of birds of any kind. I would ask for a picture with him which I wish I did at the recent Fairfield Connecticut concert this month. And lastly to thank him for his amazing talent, how he can connect to people on so many levels. Never to give up and never change who he is. He’s changed my life in too many ways to list and I hope he realizes what a beautiful human he is. He restored my hope again just recently this year after losing my mom last year. I love you Johnny!!
Reflections on Sharing My Love of Southside Johnny with My Daughter
By Stephanie Ruggiere
I have been a fan of Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes since my teenage years in the mid 80s, when I discovered him shortly after finding Bruce Springsteen. For most of the time, I was buying albums, listening at home. I went to a few shows local to me in the early 2000s, but was basically a very casual fan. The music always brought me a certain level of joy and comfort-it could always cheer me up and make me dance. Any time Johnny was singing felt like a party, even when I was home alone. It was the music that played in the background through good times and bad, making life easier and tough times more bearable.
In April of 2019, during a particularly difficult time for our family, I decided to take my mother and my daughter, Lily (then 11 years old) to their first Jukes show. I didn’t know how my daughter would like it, she wasn’t particularly interested in my music in general. In fact she once said “I don’t like Bruce. He’s Mommy’s friend”. My daughter was quiet during the show, typical of her, but it was hard to read how she felt about it. Of course, I was jumping up and down, dancing, singing and screaming all night long. After the show, she was excited and said she really liked it. We posed for photos in front of the stage, and even took a photo with Glenn Alexander. In the weeks following, I found that she was telling stories about Johnny, about how funny he was and recalling the different songs he sang that we had been listening to in the car.
As restrictions were lifting from covid, I started fantasizing about the ultimate SSJ fan’s dream, seeing him at the legendary Stone Pony. I ended up taking my daughter to see him at the Summer Stage on Labor Day weekend 2021. She was all in for this trip and was happy to jump in line with me early in the day so that we could end up on the rail right in front of Glenn. We danced and partied through the whole show and of course ended up taking another picture with Glenn after the show.
After that it was only natural that we should make the pilgrimage to see him on the INSIDE of the Stone Pony. Again we lined up all day and ended up directly against the stage in front of Glenn. This was a life changing night for both of us. For me to be inside the Pony was magical. I literally cried before the show even started. Just to be in that place, with my daughter and Southside Johnny was like my teenage dreams coming true. In fact, teenage me would never have even believed this could happen.
After that we were both completely hooked. We live in Massachusetts and over the past 4 years have traveled all over New England to see SSJ in Massachusetts, NH, RI and Connecticut. We have been to every Labor Day show at the Summer Stage and to all but one of the February shows on the inside of the Pony. We have managed to meet all the members of the band and have even gotten a little friendly with Glenn. She has a picture with Glenn from every single show. We have numerous guitar picks and setlist. One setlist is signed by the entire band, including Johnny. We started with John Isley and he helped us circulate it around to the other members of the band. The next night, in another venue, we handed it to Pete before the show and he took it back to get Johnny to sign it.
Labor Day weekend of 2023, we had an epic weekend. We headed to MetLife Stadium to see Bruce on Sept. 1. Immediately after the show we drove to Asbury Park so we could get up early and line up for the Jukes show at the Summer Stage. We were able to secure our regular spot in front of Glenn and get our usual picture. On Monday before we headed home, we took a quick drive through Ocean Grove and who do we see on the sidewalk? JOHNNY. I’m slightly embarrassed to admit that I slammed on my break and jumped out of the car right in the middle of the road, but he was very gracious and seemed genuinely delighted to meet us. He offered to take a picture with us and I was so nervous, my hands were shaking. He said to me, “Why are you so nervous? It’s just me.” My heart melted. He put his arm around me and we took the picture. He spent some time talking with us and was happy to learn that we had been to see both him and Bruce during the past weekend. He was truly kind to us, despite me completely invading his privacy.
Last spring, we saw the Jukes twice in one weekend and had seen them the previous weekend as well. My daughter and I were both happy and exhausted from going to work/school and all the shows, so I wrote her an excuse note for school. Before one of the shows, we gave it to Pete and he took it backstage to have Johnny sign it. We had lousy seats for that show, but managed to make our way up to the front and danced the night away in front of Glenn, autograph safely in hand all night. After the show, Tom Seguso came over and handed Lily a drum stick, and we were given the setlist. It was truly a night to remember, as so many Jukes shows have been for us.
Over the past 5 years we have seen Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes too many times to count, but a minimum of 20 times in at least 5 states. The only other artist I have seen this many times is Bruce Springsteen, and my daughter has only seen Bruce 7 times. The experience of sharing the music of my youth with my daughter has been amazing. She once said “Seeing Johnny in concert is like pure joy!” That about sums it up. It really is just a long party. There are so many things that we both love about it: the spontaneity of the shows, the random setlist, the individual attention from members of the band, and the community of the fans are the most obvious. It really brings my youth back to me, to listen to that music and to see it through my daughter’s eyes. I get to experience the joy of discovering it all over again. It is something that we share and look forward to together. Whenever a show went on sale near us we were going for sure!
I am truly sad that this is ending, but I am even more joyful and thankful that we got to experience it at all. At an age when most kids are drawing away from their parents, my daughter and I were discovering the joy of this music that had meant so much to me my whole life. We created memories and had experiences that most parents wish for with their teenage children. That is the thing I am most grateful to Johnny for. I will miss him like crazy, but I will always be thankful to him. And you better believe if he does one more show, anywhere, we will be there!
Tim Macatee
So, I became a big Southside fan in college (Fairleigh Dickinson, never met Bobby strange , though.) I had a roommate whose family owned a police uniform company in Lakehurst and we were able to have Jukes jackets similar to the real ones ( I still have it) made. I first wore it to AP to go see Robert Gordon at the Paramount, and wore it to the Fast Lane to see Beaver Brown. Of course as soon as Southside and some other Jukes showed up i was so embarrassed to be wearing it, since I wasn’t a Juke, that I took it off and froze my ass off the rest of the night.
A couple of other memorable Southside shows were at Great Adventure on a rainy Saturday. Id say 40 people showed up. Southside tossed his harmonica to a girl in the crowd, which she dropped. It ended up under my foot , so I grabbed it. It’s still around here someplace.
Then one of the coolest shows was in 1986 at a club called Rockefeller’s in Houston, I got front table seats for a show. Bill Hicks opened, who i had seen a bunch. I remember watching the band laughing up a storm off stage during his set. Great show, small club, was just perfect.
Haven’t seen him since maybe 2009 at The Pony, but he was a big part of my life for a good number of years.
Caroline Davis
I’m a bit younger than most Jukes fans- 22- but I’ve been listening for as long as I can remember. My mother introduced me to John’s music as a toddler, and some of the happiest memories of my childhood are of us singing along to his albums on car rides.
I think I saw the Jukes live for the first time when I was about four years old? It was in Block Island as a part of a summer festival lineup, and we happened to meet Bobby Bandiera as the crew was setting up. He showed me his guitar and had John come out and meet me. John was lovely, as he was every time I met him throughout my childhood. He asked me what song I’d most like to hear(the answer was always “The Fever”), and when that time in the set came around later on, he yelled into the mic “where’s my girl? Where’s my little girl who wanted Fever?” I had passed out asleep in the summer heat and my mother still picked me up and ran me down the grass to get as close a look as possible.
I was often told how unusual it was for a child to be at his shows, but back then I just felt special for sticking out. John and the Jukes always put on an amazing show; the older I grew and the more interested in music I got, the more evident their genius became to me. But beyond that, the Jukes family were incredibly kind people. They were very generous where I was concerned, even though they didn’t have to be. I have seen Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes live probably about 10 times in my life, and I’ve been lucky enough to meet and take a picture with John most of those occasions. Sometimes we were just lucky enough to arrive early and see them sound checking or hanging around the venue, but most times, especially as his team came to recognize and remember us, it was with their help that we got the opportunities to meet John and thank him and the band for their performances. His sound engineer and his personal security guard both did for us multiple times over the years, even getting us backstage once when I was 12 to watch an encore. I’ll never forget that moment- it made me want to be a rockstar. And I can’t even speak to every Juke I have ever met because each of them has made the moment so special— John Conte has taken photos for us, Jeff Kazee has taken requests and given souvenirs... There can never truly be enough good things said about John, the Jukes, and their entire team. They are all such incredible artists and human beings, and that example meant the world to me as a young girl.
The last time I got to see John live was in my hometown of Portland, Maine back in January 2020. We met John afterwards with the help of his team, and everyone was as lovely as ever. Figured we’d catch another show soon, but then Covid happened, and later on life happened. It’s so strange thinking I may never see the band play again. I would’ve loved to tell John that I became a musician because of him— I went to college for music performance and now I’m pursuing that career in London— and I had always dreamed, in the back of my head, of one day encountering the Jukes as a peer and not just a fan. That being said, I am unbelievably grateful for the years of joy they gave me with their music. It truly made my childhood, and I’ll be living of those memories for my life to come.
Dan French
Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes were my first live introduction to the 'sound of Asbury Park' (Bruce, Stevie, Southside); I caught the Jukes (in 1979) before I caught Bruce live (in 1981), and knew this was the real thing. I became a fan of their first 4 albums in 1979, thanks to a college friend and the 'Thunder Road' fanzine which championed them along with Bruce and others.
My favorite song is ‘Some Things Just Don't Change', and 'Hearts Of Stone' is my favorite album.
My favorite concert took place at The Ritz in NYC, September 1982: Southside invited support band The Schoolgirls (who were very young women) on stage to sing on the encores; they were too young to know some of the songs he suggested they play, so he did old '40s tunes anyway.
I'm looking forward to whatever Southside Johnny can share with us next: writing, radio, whatever; it's too late to stop now!
Denise Nordheimer
The music of Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes is a chance every time a song comes on to revisit my New Jersey adolescence. It is the soundtrack to it for me and a real touchstone. I heard Paul Schaeffer once say everybody is faithful to the music of their adolescence and I think that's very true.
I became a fan in my New Jersey high school around 1976 I suppose. I remember they were the only band I ever cut school to go see. At that time he was playing places like Mennen skating Arena and great adventure. I was not old enough to go to places like the Stone Pony.
It’s too hard to choose a favorite song, but I would say as I've gotten older "all the way home" and Into the Harbor". My favorite album is probably a tie between Hearts of Stone and Grapefruit Moon. Two very different times in his career, but really both very amazing and poignant.
I have thoroughly enjoyed so many concerts that it is hard to say, but he played the grand Opera House in my adopted hometown of Wilmington, Delaware and I'm going to say 10 years ago. They just took the roof off the place with a wonderful concert really everybody's singing and dancing and just having an amazing time. Bobby was still with the band at that time and I always felt he added something really special.
If I could say anything to Southside Johnny, I would say thank you for being such a generous performer. On his best nights I really felt like he left it all on stage.
Stan Goldstein is a journalist from the Jersey Shore who co-produced the Rock & Roll Tour of the Jersey Shore book with Jean Mikle.
The first Southside Johnny and Asbury Jukes show I attended, Southside Johnny was not there. It was May 13, 1977, I was in my junior year at Neptune High School, the same high school Johnny Lyon graduated from 10 years earlier.
I was at the then Monmouth Arts Center, now Count Basie Theatre, in Red Bank, New Jersey, with many of my high school friends. We were excited to see Southside who was starting to make a name for himself with the Jukes. However, of the two shows scheduled for this night (and the show the night before) Southside was sick. Stepping in to lead the Jukes was Miami Steve Van Zandt and Bruce Springsteen. They did a full Jukes show, with Steve and Bruce doing the lead vocals. Later, Bruce brought the entire E Street Band out to finish the show. Ronnie Spector was part of the extravaganza also, playing a few songs.
Having missed out on seeing Southside himself, I was excited to get tickets to a show at the Paramount Theatre on the Asbury Park boardwalk for a Saturday night, July 29, 1977. The night before, I was driving some friends home from a night out at Great Adventure and unfortunately a drunk driver plowed into my car. I was banged up and very sore, and told by the police that I was lucky to be alive. But there was no way I was missing this concert. It was therapeutic and a night I have never forgotten.
This was the first of dozens of Southside Johnny and the Jukes show I would see over the next 47 years.
During my senior year at Neptune High School (1977-78) I wrote for the school newspaper, The Blazer. One of my friends,.Tom Catley, who also wrote for the Blazer, said his family knew Southside and could arrange an interview. Tommy (who later became mayor of Neptune) made it happen.
On a cold night during the week in early January 1978, we met Southside outside a closed Stone Pony. He pulled up with his wife Betty and said let’s do the interview at a small store on Kingsley Street that had a pinball machine. Myself, Tom and Gary Durkin followed Southside to the store. For the next hour, we had all kind of questions for him and he was so gracious to us all while playing pinball. He also signed autographs for us too. I recently found a tape of that interview and while cringe-worthy at times, we actually didn’t do that bad of a job.
Whether it was Great Adventure, a road trip to Drew University , the Mann Music Center in Philadelphia, Martell's Tiki Bar in Point Pleasant Beach, the Stone Pony, New Year’s Eve at first the Capitol Theatre in Passaic then at the Count Basie or several shows in Atlantic City, each and every concert was fun. We sang along, danced and were “Havin’ A Party.”
When it comes to the number of concerts I have attended (my first was seeing the Osmond Brothers at the Garden State Arts Center in 1971), Bruce Springsteen tops the list and then it’s Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.
Living in Ocean Grove, I would see Johnny around town, especially at the post office. Always very nice with a hello and always cool to see our local hero waking around town.
The last time I saw Southside was in August when he was a guest on Tom Cunningham’s “Springsteen on Sunday” radio show at Bar Anticipation in Lake Como. After his interview, Southside stayed around to sign autographs and take pictures with all who asked. I was fortunate to have him sign my copy of Nick Corasaniti’s book, “I Don’t Want to Go Home” the Oral History of the Stone Pony.
When I heard the news that Southside was retiring, I was sad. I was hoping it was nothing too serious and his health is OK. I then took time to reflect on all the enjoyment his shows and his music have given me for close to 50 years. For many a night, “I didn’t want to go home.”
Let's all "Reach Up and Touch the Sky" and wish Southside all the best.
Lee Mrowicki is known as The Voice of the Stone Pony and you can still catch him spinning at The Pony and Wonder Bar in Asbury Park. He’s also got a great radio show called Radio Jersey that is available online.
You played a major role in helping Southside Johnny & the Jukes be known outside of Jersey when you ran the record release broadcast on air. I know you were in college at the time, did you personally know Southside before that night? When I first walked into the Pony looking to speak to someone about setting up for the show, I met keyboard player Kevin Kavanaugh....who was very gracious and introduced me to manager Butch Pielka...I got to know a few of the band members and their "people"... soundman Ray White and roadie Garry A, who was also the Pony daytime Mgr. But SS was a bit aloof and his persona to this day was has been a bit distant...and in some ways he seems tough and mean but actually thats just a public perception...actually a fairly nice chap.
What is your favorite memory from that record release night? Setting up in the plain white WJLK van, same one we used for local football game broadcasts, it was all a blur that day...everything happening so fast...and gremlins every turn you took...but coolest thing was all the guests hanging out with me in the van until they were called onstage...legendary Lee Dorsey, Ronnie Spector, and of course Springsteen....plus a few of the WNEW - fm DJ's who didn't broadcast the show because their MGMT wanted Bruce to sign a contract he would appear....that's how WJLK got the show.
You've worked a ton of nights when Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes have performed, any stories you can share? Every night when the Jukes came home to play the Pony was a special night...lots of electricity in the air....Johnny always put out 110% and the band was always on fire! They will always be one of the best live performances in Pony history
Whenever I hear SSJ come across the Pony or Wonder Bar speakers I look to see if you're spinning that night. What are your favorite SSJ songs to spin in a club? Definitely Talk to Me...gets a great reaction from the crowd....as we as I Don't Want to go Home.
Southside never really had a hit record, but has fans around the world. Do you think that's from the music itself, their live show, a combination of both, or something else? Got to be mostly their live shows...I had met some people from England back in 1980 I think and they told me that the Jukes at the time were more popular than Bruce back then.
When you hear the name Southside Johnny what is the first thing that comes to mind? The sign on the Pony marquee..."The Home of the Asbury Jukes"
Finally, you run an online radio show called Radio Jersey that plays great music from throughout the state's history. Where would you put Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes' place among that history? First there's Bruce, then there's Johnny.
They're the two hardest working performers in NJ history!
Stephen Bumball - In the 1980s, Stephen Bumball and Billy Smith created and ran a museum inside the Palace Amusements building spotlighting the local music scene. I spent many days there, learning about the musicians who made it and those who didn’t. It was a fascinating place for a young music fan. Here are some memories from Stephen.
The Asbury Park Rock 'N Roll Museum opened on 7/4/86 and closed forever when the Palace Amusements closed down in late 1988. Our Mission was to spotlight the musicians and clubs that made Asbury Park the place to be. Of course, Southside Johnny was a huge part of all of that. A large portion of our display was devoted to Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. We had a Jukes jacket, posters, photos going back to 1969 and the Upstage days, promo items etc.
The Museum hosted visitors from 26 different countries over its 3 year run. Most were Bruce fans making a pilgrimage to Asbury, but SSJ certainly had his own share of followers.
Southside Johnny visited the museum as part of an MTV promotion called "Amuck in America"! It took place on 7/28/86, not long after we opened. VJ Alan Hunter hosted our segment and SSJ was interviewed inside the Museum. We asked him to sign the Museum wall and he did.
Later that day, SSJ and Bobby Bandiera played a couple of songs on the boardwalk. Billy and I and a small crowd were the backup singers.
SSJ certainly has earned his place in NJ and Rock 'N Roll history. Certainly Bruce, Steve Van Zandt, and Southside are the 3 main pillars of the "Sound of Asbury Park". I feel fortunate to have been witness to some of that history. Thanks to SSJ for so many great shows and memories over the years!
Bob Makin is a long-time music writer for The Aquarian, Ganett newspapers, and New Jersey Stage. You can read his weekly column every Friday at New Jersey Stage.
I know you've been a fan of Southside for a very long time. How did you first discover the band? Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes were one of the most popular bands at Point Pleasant Beach High School in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. That’s not only my alma mater but also Jukes trumpeter Tony Pallagrosi, so he was a hometown hero. The live album ‘Reach Up and Touch the Sky’ was played at parties as much as any other LP. We would all pump our fists in the air to the line, ‘Reach up and touch the sky!’
When Southside & the Jukes played Great Adventure on May 30, 1980, a whole bunch of PPBHS kids went to go see them, and had a blast that we remember and talk about to this day. Some of us partied too hard. One wound up floating in the fountain, and another was apprehended by security after jumping onstage and squeezing Patti Scialfa’s ass. My Mom, who had taken a van full of my Sister’s and my friends to the park for the show, had to sign our friend out of security. She was not pleased, but boy, did we have fun that just added to the legend of Southside Johnny in Point Pleasant Beach.
The year before that show, I had won a gig writing for the Youth Page of the Asbury Park Press in a high school journalism contest co-sponsored by then Monmouth College. My Pop had been features editor of the Asbury Park Press from 1972-80, which inspired my love of entertainment writing. I loved writing about Southside, among other artists, for APP throughout high school.
What does Southside's music mean to you? Where would you place them among Jersey's music history? Southside’s music made it easy for gawky white boys like myself to dance well enough that girls actually would tolerate dancing with us. The music was liberatingly fun, and for music geeks like me, paved the way for the treasure of James Brown, Solomon Burke, Sam Cooke, Stax & Muscle Shoals.To me, Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes are part of an Asbury Park trinity with Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band and Little Steven & the Disciples of Soul that put the City by the Sea’s R&B-drenched, soul-charged Sounds of Asbury Park on the international airwaves for all the world to enjoy what the Jersey Shore had appreciated since the late 1960s. Bruce is SOAP’s songwriter. Steven is its producer and arranger. And Southside is its voice.
Southside never had a hit song, but has fans around the world. Do you think that may be something that has made the SSJ fan community so strongly connected? What connects SSJ fans throughout the world is danceable fun and expressible soul. ‘Saturday Night Fever’ was big right around the time of the first couple of Southside albums. But you had to be a really good dancer to dance to disco music. Southside’s relatable energy meant anyone could dance to it. So unites a small part of the world with his music.
If you had to limit yourself to 2-3 albums by SSJ, which would be your favorites? Same with songs? All of the Steven-produced albums — the first three — ‘I Don’t Want to Go Home,’ ‘This Time It’s for Real,’ ‘Hearts of Stone’ — and ‘Better Days.’ My favorite Southside songs are Steven’s ‘I Don’t Want to Go Home,’ his cover of Sam Cooke’s ‘Havin’ a Party,’ Bruce’s ‘Hearts of Stone,’ and ‘Wait in Vain,’ a bluesy number he co-wrote for the 1979 ‘The Jukes’ LP.
Do you have memories of a SSJ show, interview, or story about him that you can share? In 1991, Southside released the ‘Better Days’ album, which reunited him with Steven, Bruce, Jon Bon Jovi, and some of the original Asbury Jukes. A year later, Bruce released the song ‘Better Days’ on the ‘Lucky Town’ LP. This inspired me to create a four-part Makin Waves series for The Aquarian Weekly entitled ‘The Better Days of the Asbury Park Music Scene: Past, Present or Future?’ for which I interviewed dozens of AP musicians, including Southside.
Music historian Bob Santelli, also a graduate of Point Pleasant Beach High School, was so impressed with the depth of the series’ coverage, he asked me to replace him as the ‘Greetings from Asbury Park’ columnist for the Backstreets Springsteen fanzine when Bob became education director of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Like most of my music writing career, I owe it to Southside, Bruce & Steven.
Danny Coleman is a music writer, DJ, and musician himself. You can read his weekly column every Thursday at New Jersey Stage. I reached out to him to see what his thoughts were about Southside.
What does a performer with the longevity of Southside Johnny mean to you? Consistency and loyalty. He consistently stayed the course, his course and varied very little and by doing so, he built a loyal fan base which remains today.
I was a fan, ironically I wasn't at first because the first time I ever heard or saw him, which was at the Arena inside Great Adventure, he did what seemed like a 10 minute version of "The Fever" that dragged on forever. I was 15 years old at the time and now curious as to what else he did. So, I went to the record store and found more.
What is his legacy? Undervalued. Locals love him, the region loves him but nationally, I don't think he's gotten his just due.
What is the first thing you think of when you hear the name Southside Johnny? The "Fever" (Lol) and that summer night in 1978.
Gary Wien is a music journalist who published the first history of rock music along the Jersey Shore - Beyond the Palace - and is the publisher of New Jersey Stage.
Growing up in Lincroft, I can still remember seeing members of The Jukes strolling through the streets of Red Bank wearing their band jackets. I feel very fortunate to grow up in an area where Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes were regularly played on the radio. Their songs were implanted into my brain before I was a teenager and I used to deliver newspapers while listening to the “Havin’ A Party” best of collection.
I’ve been fortunate to interview Southside a few times. The first was for my book. I’ll never forget how that interview came about. I was at the Pony for a concert (I think Gary U.S. Bonds was playing) and Southside was one of the guy’s hanging at the back bar. I mentioned to him that I was writing a book on the history of rock music in Asbury and would love to interview him. He was downing a rather large adult beverage when I gave him my business card, so I didn’t expect to hear from him. I thought he’d probably just toss the card into the trash or forget about it.
But the next day Southside gave me a ring. He’s like, “You wanna do this thing? Where should we meet?”
I told him it was a beautiful summer day, so why not meet on the Asbury Park boardwalk. At the time (around 2002), I knew the boardwalk would be empty and sure enough it was. There was maybe a couple people who walked by as we talked about everything from the old Upstage Club to the history of the Jukes and the future of Asbury Park. Sure enough, Southside was spot on in his prediction about the town.
“I think in the next ten years you’ll see a big change. I hope that’s what happens. It seems like they’ve got a good plan. I mean, I know a lot of people say gee it won’t be their honky-tonk town. Nothing stays like that forever.
“Anything is better than this and what happens is... I had a film they gave me from the thirties about this area and north of Asbury Park and it was all residential, real nice. And this was very gentile down here. It descended into honky-tonk in the 50s and 60s. So they’ll start as gentile again and in another 20-30 years it’ll be honky-tonk again.”
One of my favorite memories of seeing Southside live is becoming fans of his opening acts. I’ll always remember seeing Glen Burtnick in concert for the first time before SSJ played one of their annual shows at the Garden State Arts Center. And the first time I ever saw Jason Shain perform live was before a Southside show in Point Pleasant, I think.
In my opinion, Southside Johnny is as important to the history of Jersey Shore rock and roll as anyone. I’ve seen him in concert in more venues than I can remember and those live shows were always a celebration wherever they took place. But, of course, seeing Southside at The Pony was extra special. I still remember when the sign said “Home of the Asbury Jukes”. It was then and it still is.
One thing I hope people noticed in this tribute article is that the music of SSJ continues to today. From the 2000s on, they’ve put out a bunch of very good albums. If you’ve never heard the recent stuff, give it a spin. I’m hoping there are more albums in the band’s future. I can understand retiring from touring - he’s played enough shows for three lifetimes. But hopefully the records continue.
Southside and Bobby Bandiera sometime in the 1980s, photo by David March
Bobby Mahoney is among the top artists of the current generation of New Jersey rockers.
What does Southside Johnny's legacy mean to you? I said on stage at The Stone Pony last week that none of us would be in that room without Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. His and their impact on the “sound of Asbury Park” is immeasurable. They ARE the sound.
Did you grow up a fan of Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes? If you did, how did you discover his music? I discovered their music through my parents, and the Springsteen/Asbury connection in general. My parents used to go see them play at Great Adventure. Growing up, I learned a lot from Stan Goldstein and Jean Mikle’s “Rock and Roll Tour of The Jersey Shore” Book.
What was it like the first time you did a show with Southside? Do you remember where and when it was? I believe the first time was technically at Light of Day Canada in Niagara Falls, when they were the headliners and Dave Rotella had me playing acoustic in the Lobby of the theater before the show- I was 16 I think? I also opened for Southside at William Paterson University when I was a student there, and we opened for them at one of their legendary New Years Eve parties at The Count Basie Theater in Red Bank. There were a few other Light of Day Canada shows in there too I believe. The whole band and team have been very kind and generous to us.
As a performer yourself, what do you think of the longevity of Southside Johnny's career? It is amazing to see what they were able to do, and do so well, for so long. They made a career making people happy with their music, and that is extremely inspiring. I want to see the movie about them- their story is very interesting. They fought every night for it all.
Did you ever ask or receive any advice about the music biz from Southside? Southside was always very kind and generous towards us, and told me that we needed to play more shows together- which I hope there is still a chance to make happen locally someday even if they aren’t touring anymore. We have received great advice and guidance from Harvey Leeds and Prinzo on SSJ’s team over the years too. John Isley mentored Zack Sandler, who plays Sax with us, as well.
I will always have fond memories of hanging backstage with him at WPU or at The Pony, and him being very kind, and teasing me a bit. Also, just watching them absolutely demolish the Pony or The Basie on any given night was always a gift.
What are your favorite songs by Southside Johnny? I love “The Fever”, “Walk Away Renee” , and “I Played The Fool”, but they can make any song their own. Live it was always fun to just watch the band jam, and Southside ripping on the harmonica.
James Deely is a musician who spent many nights playing Jersey Shore clubs from the 1980s on. Now living on the west coast, he’s been putting out new albums for the last decade or so.
Uncle Southside Johnny! what can I say?
What a Voice, what a Man, what a Career!
In 1976, I was a 16 year old kid on the South Jersey Shore, Looking for Musical Salvation, Bruce was entangled with some Law Suits up in the City, what now?
Enter the Boozy, Bluesy Voice of Southside Johnny Lyons from Ocean Grove! Salvation Had Arrived! "I Don’t Wanna Go Home”! with Songs by Miami Steve and Bruce! and the Great Asbury Jukes!
Next, I got me a fake ID, snuck into the Pony to see the Jukes, Bruce jumped on stage with the Jukes, then the E Streeters got in on the Action and it was on! Uncle South began a 50 year career and the whole world fell in love with Uncle South and the Sounds of the Asbury Jukes.
Later on, I had the pleasure and Honor of having the Great Kevin Kavanaugh and the Great Eddie Manion play on my Records.
God Bless Uncle Southside Johnny!
All the Best, You Gave Way More than You Took!
Slainte!
Bobby Strange is a great singer-songwriter from New Jersey who moved out to California many years ago. Like me, he’s not very tall, which is important for the story.
Funny Southside story...he has a great snarky sense of humor...late 80's my band in long island opens up for the jukes at suny /stony brook...outdoors almost 10,000 on the football field...i had not met him yet...but was already friends with Bobby Bandiera...who was in the band at the time...I was a huge fan of Southside and as a kinda young kid was super thrilled to be opening for him!!!!
So i'm talking with Bobby and i see Southside standing nearby...near at back stage firepit that had been set up...to keep warm...it was a fall show...he was all alone...and i figured this was my big chance to meet him...so i said to Bobby ...is it cool to go over and say hi?...Bobby says sure...just tell him you're from jersey...he likes that...i walk over...all nervous...finally getting to meet my favorite rock star in the world!...i say hi Johnny...I'm the guitar player in the opening act and i'm from jersey...he turns...looks at me...pauses and says...yeah kid you and 7,000,000 other people...and walks off leaving me standing there like an idiot...and i look over at Bobby and he's laughing...evidently Johnny hated when people told him they were from Jersey too…lolol...
So years later at Gary Bond's annual birthday party at B.B King’s in NYC...we're all back stage hanging out i had gone with Joey Bonanno...and i told Southside the SUNY story in front of everyone....everyone had a good laugh and Johnny was kinda apologetic...so then Gary calls backstage to have us all come out and sing with him...one of those grand finally happy birthday things...and Southside say to me...wait...don't come out with us...let me announce you separately...i'm thinking he was trying to be nice for busting my balls years back...he's up front with Gary...and Vini Lopez...and he turns to me near the side of the stage and calls me to come out...as i walk out he and says to the sellout crowd...we have a special guest here tonight ladies and gentleman.....wilt chamberlain!!!...the crowd cracks up...and he got me AGAIN!….
Gordon Brown has been a part of Jersey Shore rock and roll since the days of Mister Reality in the late 1980s. He would go on to be in Highway 9 and his current band, Williams Honor. Here are his thoughts on Southside.
An institution like no other ...Southside Johnny and Little Steven helped create the nucleus of what became the sound and attitude of Asbury Park, the one that we all look up to.
We've gotten the chance to be a part of their world a few times through the years but some great memories getting to learn and watch was performing as mR rEALITY on a legendary early 90's NYE night with them in Long Branch at what is now Ocean Place, and also at Harpers Ferry (now The Brighton) with HWY9 in Allisron, MA ...where we shared a dressing room and I saw the anvil case with the whiskey bottles ...Peter Wolf came out to hang and make everyone feel at home ...if you're from our neighborhood their impact is among the greatest and it's part of your musical DNA no matter what kind of music you play. We're wishing Johnny the very best for a quick and speedy recovery and Thank him for 50 years of service!
Mike Rocket is a singer-songwriter who you may have seen at a Light of Day show, performing in the parking lot of a festival, or even on The Today Show. Here’s a memory of his.
3 years ago I went to see him at city winery nyc. And as you can see in the video he wanted someone from the audience to come up. My wife took my arm and raised my hand and up I went. After the show a fan told me now I’m officially a Juke…
