A Two River Tradition: Southside Johnny Rings in the New Year

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By Mary Ann Bourbeau
RED BANK – For close to three decades, Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes have helped people ring in the new year with a good time, and the party will continue on Dec. 31 at the Count Basie Theatre.
“Everyone really lets loose,” said Southside Johnny Lyon. “Our stage guy likes to get crazy. He has a bubble machine and a cannon that shoots streamers. We throw T-shirts out to the audience and show the ball dropping in Manhattan on the screen behind us. It’s always a fun time.”
The audience can count on the band playing some of their signature songs, such as “Havin’ a Party” and “I Don’t Want To Go Home.” They may throw in a few Bruce Springsteen songs during the evening, and will ring in the New Year with “Auld Lang Syne.” They will also perform a few tunes from their latest CD, “Soultime!,” the band’s first new studio album of original material in five years. Recorded at Lakehouse Recording Studios in Asbury Park, “Soultime!” is a throwback to the soul music of the 1970s.
“When soul music first came in the 60s, it sounded to me like people were alive and really experiencing life,” Southside said. “It was up-tempo stuff that made you feel good. White, black, rich or poor, everyone got into Aretha Franklin and Sam and Dave.”
Southside said he got the inspiration for the album when he was walking through the liquor department of a grocery store in Neptune City, and “Superfly” came on the store’s speaker.
“It had that great bass part and the horns were so powerful,” he said. “People started bopping and singing along. It’s the kind of music that everyone relates to. That was the epiphany that led to this record.”
Southside said when he and keyboardist Jeff Kazee were writing the songs, they knew immediately that they would work on stage.
“I could just hear the band playing it live,” he said.
The show begins at 9 p.m. with opening act The Weeklings, featuring Glen Burtnik, Bob Burger, John Merjave and Dave Anthony. The Weeklings are known for performing classic Beatles songs as well as unrecorded songs written by Lennon and McCartney and some originals written by Burtnik and Burger.
“The songs are great and I think the audience will really like them,” Southside said. “They’re a fun rock and roll band. For New Year’s Eve, that’s what you want.”
As they have done for many years now, Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes will make sure the audience starts the new year off with a rockin’ good time.
“It dawns on me every so often that I was given this great gift,” Southside said. “People sing along and laugh and dance, and I realize my purpose is to give people a good time. I don’t take it lightly. I always try to make it a great night, and start out the new year with a little optimism.”
Tickets are $29 to $99. For more information, visit www.countbasietheatre.org.