While often viewed in the
shadow of another well-known New Jersey shore band, Southside
Johnny Lyon is near royalty to New Jerseyans and has created a
legacy of great soul influenced rock spanning 3 decades.
Johnny was born on December 4, 1948 in Neptune, NJ. In the
mid 70s, he teamed up with friend “Miami” Steve Van Zandt to
form the Asbury Jukes, creating a talented group that included
both killer rhythm and horn sections, and which has had countless
members and musical partners during its long tenure.
E Street members Springsteen and Van Zandt provided the songs for
the Asbury Jukes’ debut, I Don’t Wanna Go Home, in
1976. It was the first of a series of modestly successful
albums on Epic Records that helped introduce the world to the
great blend of rock and roll and Southern-influenced soul that was
the foundation for New Jersey rock.
While they rarely charted highly with their albums, Southside
Johnny and the Asbury Jukes became known internationally as a
great live band and had a special following among soul and blues
fans, as the Jukes showed a clearer influence by and reverence for
soul music (especially Memphis soul) than did the other Jersey
bands.
The Jukes changed members and bounced among several labels in the
80s, regularly hitting the low end of the charts, before going
permanently independent in the 90s for a series of live albums.
He continued to be prolific following the turn of the century,
releasing the critically acclaimed Messin' With The Blues
in 2000, followed by the excellent Going to Jukesville in
2002 and Missing Pieces, a compilation of previously
unreleased early 80s material, in 2004 (all on Leroy Records).
In late 2005. Southside Johnny and a reconstituted Asbury Jukes
released Into the Harbour, containing a rousing cover of
the Stones “Happy”, as well as
the great rock cuts “Tear Stained
Letter” and “Nothing But a
Heartache”. Into the Harbour is a fun
celebration of soul and rock recalling the great rock ‘n soul
blend of Southside Johnny’s best music.
