In
it were the schedule of events for the weekend, bios on the musicians and some of their
musical influences as well as info on the raffle they were holding on merchandise and the
chance to Introduce Southside and the Jukes on Saturday Night. I believe $1,400 was raised
and the proceeds went to the Save Tillie campaign and World Hunger Year.
Then the fun began. Drinks and some food and the first musicians hit the stage. Jeff Kazee
(keyboardist extradinaire) and his band, Professor Crewcut, performed. Fellow-Juke Chris
Anderson helped out on trumpet. It was a great funky set that included tunes from James
Brown to Sly and the Family Stone to name a few. Southside got up and did a couple of
tunes in the middle of the set to the enjoyment of everyone there. A really great set that
lasted some 2 hours...Since this was the first band on at JUKESTOCK, they were kiddingly
comparing themselves to Richie Havens who was the 1st performer at Woodstock. Jeff's 2
daughters were there to help Dad with some fine dancing and singing. Jeff told me they
took after her mom and he wasn't kidding...They were two beautiful little girls...You're a
lucky pop, Jeff!!! Then Bobby Bandiera performed with his band with Eddie Manion and Joey
Stann helping out on the horns. It was a hell of a rocking set that included C'mon
Caroline, Monkey in the Middle to name a few..Bobby played his butt off for over 2
hours......
What a great first night to start the weekend......
There were many exhibits to walk through as well. There was a room that was set-up with
some wonderful memorabilia from Hood, Southside's stage manager. It was a throwback in
time to see SSJ and the band over the years...There was also some photos for sale if you
wanted to expand your collection.... Saturday was meet Southside Johnny and the
Band...Meeting everyone was such a joy!!!! It seemed to me that Southside and the band
were having as much fun as the fans were during this time. Well, maybe not but at least
they put on a good front.... They are truly some of the most accessible, nutty and kooky
people and a hell of a lot of fun...Just like their fans..... It really was great meeting
everyone in the band and talking about past experiences... Mark "the Love Man"
Pender and his band played on Saturday afternoon...Fellow Jukes Eddie Manion, LaBamba and
Stan (sorry, don't remember his last name) from the Jukes of old were playing on the
horns. He also had a great rhythm section that played their asses off. Forget about
it.......The love was exploding from the room... Mark did his patented "how long can
I hold this note" for what seemed to be an eternity. Then the horn section did a jump
into the audience and out the door of the ballroom as the rest of the band played on
stage. The horns continued into the hotel coming upon a mom and her 2 year old daughter.
It seemed like the child loved the attention as they serenaded her with some great brass,
sounds.... (I hope someone got that on Video, it was precious). Then the moment we all
were waiting for had come. I will let the others give you the set lists. All I can say is
that I had never seen Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes play any better than they did
that night..They simply blew the roof off the joint. Southside seemed to be truly happy
about the entire event and it really showed that night. A fellow from Australia was
honored to introduce the band that night having won the prize from the raffle. The set
lasted 3 hours. Southside and the band was exhausted and the audience could never be
happier...At least I couldn't... Some of the highlights for me were Paris, On The Beach,
Gladly Go Blind (Incredible), Rhumba And Coke and Gin Soaked Boy. Damn, I really do wish I
had the set-list because just about everything you wanted to hear was played. Better yet,
I hope we get a boot of the evening....
Unfortunately, a family commitment came up and we had to miss LaBamba and the Hubcaps on
Sunday. I hope someone writes about their set. I am sure it was fabulous!!!!
A big thanks has to go to Debbie May, Jane McCreery and Maggie Powell for organizing
JUKESTOCK. They came up with a great idea and they pulled it off!!!! Thanks........
Also, to the people that worked the event...Always friendly and helpful. Met a lot of
great people from all over the globe...What I found was that we all had a common bond in
the music that has shaped our lives and will continue to do so. A lot of fun with some
great friends that I know I'll meet down the road...
And finally the boys in the band...A very diverse group. Each in their own right different
from the next but as my wife said, "Mix them all together in a pot and they make one
hell of a chicken soup". They are a great band!!!! And we're blessed to have seen
them over the years and even more blessed to have seen them this past weekend...They seem
like family to me...
There is much more to discuss about this past weekend... and I'm sure it will be but all I
can say is thanks for a great one for the books........... Matt |
