Bruce on the artist
John Lyon (born December 4, 1948), better known by his stage name Southside Johnny, has a longtime shared friendship and music history with Bruce. SSJ was born in Neptune, New Jersey, and grew up in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. He grew up in a home full of music and with his parents big record collection of blues and jazz and his father played bass in bands. SSJ graduated from Neptune High School with Garry Tallent and Vini Lopez.
shared band history:
The Big Bad Bobby Williams Band was a fairly short-lived group (November 1970 - March 1971) and consisted of Bobby Williams (drums, vocals), Garry Tallent (bass), Steve Van Zandt (vocals, guitar), David Sancious (organ) and Southside Johnny (harp, vocals).
The Blackberry Booze Band was a New Jersey blues band that would eventually morph into Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes. In 1974 they became house band at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park. Its members in 1974 and 1975, when Springsteen performed with them, were Southside Johnny (harmonica and vocals), Steven Van Zandt (guitar), Al Berger (bass), Kenny "Popeye" Pentifallo (drums), and Kevin Kavanaugh (keyboards).
Dr. Zoom & The Sonic Boom was a very short lived progression of Springsteen’s March 1971 "The Friendly Enemies" shows at Sunshine In and his April 1971 'Jam Concerts' at The Upstage. The members of Dr. Zoom were Springsteen, Steve Van Zandt (guitar), David Sancious (keyboards), Garry Tallent (bass), Vini Lopez (drums and backing vocals), Southside Johnny (harmonica and vocals), Bobby Williams (drums), Albee 'Albany Al' Tellone (tenor saxophone), and Bobby Feigenbaum (alto saxophone). There was also an eight-member backing vocal troupe nicknamed "The Zoomettes". "Big" Danny Gallagher handled the on-stage props. They played just two concerts in May 1971.
The Friendly Enemies was a very short-lived moniker used only once prior to the creation of Dr. Zoom & The Sonic Boom. The name was conceived in February 1971 and promotional material was printed for a show in March 1971 at Asbury Park's Sunshine In. It was actually a week or two prior to this March 27th gig that the famous moniker Dr. Zoom & The Sonic Boom was conjured up, but it was too late to change the name on the promotional material and posters for the show. Aside from Springsteen, The Friendly Enemies consisted of Steven Van Zandt (guitar), Garry Tallent (bass), David Sancious (keyboards), Vini "Mad Dog" Lopez (drums, vocals), Southside Johnny (harp, vocals), Albee Tellone (sax, vocals), former Rogues member John "Hotkeys" Waasdorp (electric piano), Bobby Feigenbaum (tenor sax), Bobby Williams (drums, vocals) and Carl "Tinker" West (congas).
Funky Dusty & The Soul Broom were a short-lived (summer-fall 1970) 4 piece band consisting of Steve Van Zandt ('Funky Dusty') and Garry Tallent, "Southside" Johnny Lyon and drummer Bobby Williams ('The Soul Broom'). Apparently Springsteen was in attendance and joined in a late evening jam. At this point in mid-1970 both Tallent and Williams were full time members of Glory Road (along with David Sancious and Bill Chinnock), Van Zandt was a member of Steel Mill and Southside was a free agent, having recently left his former band Maelstrom. The Funky Dusty & The Soul Broom side-project was a catalyst for what became The Big Bad Bobby Williams Band in late 1970 and The Sundance Blues Band in spring 1971. Funky Dusty & The Soul Broom were singer Jeannie Clark's backing band at the infamous Clearwater gig on September 11, 1970.
The Sundance Blues Band
The Sundance Blues Band made their commercial debut on April 30, 1971. The original lineup featured Southside Johnny (harp), Steven Van Zandt (lead guitar and vocals), Vini Lopez (drums and vocals), Garry Tallent (bass), and Joe Hagstrom (rhythm guitar). Springsteen made several brief guest appearances during early May 1971, before Hagstrom left the band in the same month and was replaced shortly after by Springsteen. Bruce made his debut as a fully-fledged member on May 15 and would remain in the band through July 4, 1971, after which he departed to devote his energies to the newly formed The Bruce Springsteen Band. The Sundance Blues Band would continue without him, with David Sancious soon installed in place of Springsteen (who continued to make occasional guest appearances). The last known performance of the band was January 23, 1972.
List of songs co-written by Bruce Springsteen and Southside Johnny:
TRAPPED AGAIN
"Trapped Again"is a song co-written by Southside Johnny, Bruce Springsteen, and Steven Van Zandt and originally released by Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes on their 1978 album Hearts Of Stone. According to Southside Johnny, he predominantly wrote the song, with Springsteen and Van Zandt merely adding bits and pieces. Released in 1978.
WALKING THROUGH MIDNIGHT
"Walking Through Midnight" is a song written by John Lyon (Southside Johnny) and Bruce Springsteen and released by Southside Johnny on his 1988 album Slow Dance. According to Brucebase, the lyrics are by Lyon and the music is by Springsteen, and the song was written sometime in the latter half of 1987. Released in 1988.
WE'VE GOT THE LOVE
We've Got The Love is a song written by Joel Krauss and Bobby Bandiera and released by Jersey Artists For Mankind (a.k.a. J.A.M. '86) as a single in 1986. Bruce Springsteen contributed guitar solo and vocal to the recording of the song. Southside Johnny and some Asbury Jukes members volunteered their services.
HEARTS OF STONE
/ TALK TO ME
Bruce Springsteen contributed vocals to the song. In the spring of 1978, Bruce Springsteen donated two of his compositions, Talk to me an hearts of stone to Southside Johnny for use on Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes' upcoming third studio album, Hearts Of Stone. Springsteen shares writing credits with Southside Johnny and Steven Van Zandt.
IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME
"It's Been A Long Time" is a song written by Steven Van Zandt and released by Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes on their 1991 album Better Days. Bruce Springsteen contributed to the recording of the song, singing second lead vocal and playing harmonica.
ALL THE WAY HOME
"alle the way home " was released on the 1991 album Better Days. Bruce Springsteen contributed to the recording of the song, singing background vocals and playing keyboard and guitar.
CAN'T TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS
was recorded in February 2004 at Thrill Hill Recording (Bruce Springsteen's home studio) in Rumson, NJ. It features Springsteen on guitar and backup vocals. He can be heard intermittently throughout the song and he shouts "Come on, Bondsie!" towards the end. The song also features Southside Johnny on harmonica. Southside Johnny also appears on two more tracks from the album.
Performances together:
Performed 79 times, excluding those as a member of the bands below.
Performed 2 times as a member of The Friendly Enemies.
Performed 2 times as a member of Dr. Zoom & The Sonic Boom.
Performed 21 times as a member of The Sundance Blues Band.
2019-08-07 Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
2019-07-06 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
2017-04-21 Paramount Theatre, Asbury Park, NJ
2015-01-17 Paramount Theatre, Asbury Park, NJ
2012-10-16 Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City, NY
2012-06-17 Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain
2011-04-02 Wonder Bar, Asbury Park, NJ
2011-01-29 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
2010-09-11 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
2010-01-23 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
2009-10-17 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
2008-12-22 Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank, NJ
2008-05-22 RDS Arena, Dublin, Ireland
2008-05-13 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
2007-04-29 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
2006-12-12 Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank, NJ
2006-09-17 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
2006-06-20 Tweeter Center At The Waterfront, Camden, NJ
2006-05-02 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
2005-04-10 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
2004-12-19 Harry's Roadhouse, Asbury Park, NJ (Early)
2004-04-25 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
2003-12-08 Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
2003-12-07 Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
2003-12-05 Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
2003-04-30 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
2003-04-29 Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank, NJ
2002-04-13 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
2001-12-08 Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
2001-12-07 Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
2001-12-06 Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
2001-12-04 Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
2001-12-03 Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
2001-05-27 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
2000-12-18 Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
2000-12-17 Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
1999-12-04 Diasco Residence, Colts Neck, NJ
1999-10-28 Oakland Arena, Oakland, CA
1998-01-31 Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank, NJ
1994-07-16 Stone Pony (The), Tent, Asbury Park, NJ
1993-06-24 Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
1992-12-27 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
1992-08-07 Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
1991-09-26 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
1988-11-26 Stone (The), San Francisco, CA
1984-09-26 Community Theatre (The), Morristown, NJ
1984-08-12 Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
1983-12-28 Monmouth Arts Center, Red Bank, NJ
1982-12-31 Harkness House For Ballet Arts, New York City, NY
1982-05-29 Big Man's West, Red Bank, NJ
1981-07-30 Richfield Coliseum, Richfield, OH
1981-07-29 Richfield Coliseum, Richfield, OH
1978-08-31 Agora (The), Cleveland, OH
1977-12-31 Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ
1977-10-13 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
1977-09-13 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
1977-04-17 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
1976-09-04 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
1976-07-22 CBS Annual Sales Convention, Los Angeles, CA
1976-07-04 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
1976-06-12 Public Theater, New York City, NY
1976-05-30 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
1976-01-01 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
1975-01-19 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
1975-01-12 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
1975-01-05 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
1974-12-29 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
1974-09-08 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
1973-04-28 Cole Field House, College Park, MD
1972-02-04 Back Door (The), Richmond, VA
1972-01-23 Captain's Garter (The), Neptune, NJ
1972-01-22 Captain's Garter (The), Neptune, NJ
1972-01-21 Captain's Garter (The), Neptune, NJ
1971-11-13 Student Prince, Asbury Park, NJ
1971-07-04 Student Prince, Asbury Park, NJ
1971-07-03 Upstage (The), Asbury Park, NJ
1971-07-03 Student Prince, Asbury Park, NJ
1971-07-02 Student Prince, Asbury Park, NJ
1971-06-27 Student Prince, Asbury Park, NJ
1971-06-20 Student Prince, Asbury Park, NJ
1971-06-19 Student Prince, Asbury Park, NJ
1971-06-18 Upstage (The), Asbury Park, NJ (Late)
1971-06-18 Upstage (The), Asbury Park, NJ (Early)
1971-05-29 Student Prince, Asbury Park, NJ
1971-05-28 Student Prince, Asbury Park, NJ
1971-05-22 Student Prince, Asbury Park, NJ
1971-05-21 Student Prince, Asbury Park, NJ
1971-05-15 Student Prince, Asbury Park, NJ
1971-05-15 Newark State College, Union, NJ
1971-05-14 Sunshine In, Asbury Park, NJ
1971-05-08 Student Prince, Asbury Park, NJ
1971-05-07 Student Prince, Asbury Park, NJ
1971-05-01 Student Prince, Asbury Park, NJ
1971-04-30 Student Prince, Asbury Park, NJ
1971-03-27 Sunshine In, Asbury Park, NJ (Late)
1971-03-27 Sunshine In, Asbury Park, NJ (Early)
1971-01-30 Upstage (The), Asbury Park, NJ (Late)
1971-01-30 Upstage (The), Asbury Park, NJ (Early)
1971-01-29 Upstage (The), Asbury Park, NJ (Late)
1971-01-29 Upstage (The), Asbury Park, NJ (Early)
1971-01-09 Upstage (The), Asbury Park, NJ (Late)
1971-01-09 Upstage (The), Asbury Park, NJ (Early)
1971-01-08 Upstage (The), Asbury Park, NJ (Late)
1971-01-08 Upstage (The), Asbury Park, NJ (Early)
1970-07-27 Upstage (The), Asbury Park, NJ