Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes

Born out of the vibrant New Jersey blues-rock scene of the 1970s, Southside Johnny And The Asbury Jukes' stomping bar-room boogies and good time R&B has made them an institution within the state and one of the great white soul bands. Led by the gravelly vocals of John Lyon (aka Southside Johnny), the group's friendship and association with Bruce Springsteen helped them release debut album I Don't Want To Go Home (1976), produced by The E Street Band guitarist Steve Van Zandt and featuring guest appearances from Ronnie Spector and Lee Dorsey. Springsteen contributed three songs to their follow-up This Time It's For Real (1977), regarded by many as their finest moment, and the band went on to feature in the film Between The Lines and earn a reputation as a thrilling live act. Though superstardom never called, the band drew critical acclaim for the albums Heart Of Stone (1978), Better Days (1991) and Pills And Ammo (2010), inspired the likes of Bon Jovi, Gaslight Anthem and The John Spencer Blues Explosion and remain a much loved, living/breathing embodiment of soulful rock'n'roll.