Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes
USA, 1974–now
Asbury Park band led by John Lyon since 1974, a horn-driven R&B act at the centre of the New Jersey shore scene alongside Springsteen and Steven Van Zandt, who wrote and produced much of their early work. Never a national hit act, and the one every Jersey band came up under.
MusicRoots documents 4 artists who influenced Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes and 1 artist Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.
Who influenced Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes?
- Little Walter — The first name on his own list, and the band is named after Little Walter's Jukes.
- Elmore James — Named second on the same list — the slide guitar end of the Chicago blues he collected.
- James Brown — Early James Brown specifically, which is where the Jukes' horn section comes from.
- Ray Charles — The fourth name he gives, and the one closest to what he actually does as a singer.
Which artists did Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes influence?
- Bon Jovi — Jon Bon Jovi calls him his reason for singing, and names him alongside Springsteen rather than behind him. Southside Johnny produced the first band Bon Jovi was in and let them open for him while he was still at school.