Southside Johnny Lyon is rock royalty to New Jerseyans. He has created a legacy of great soul influenced rock spanning three decades. 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. 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 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. Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes became known internationally as a great live band. The Jukes changed members and bounced among several labels in the ’80s before going permanently independent in the ’90s for a series of live albums. They 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 in 2004. 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.” They released Soultime! in 2015. Southside Johnny and crew continue to rock Jersey – and the rest of the world.
