Happy New Year, everyone. Please allow me to take a moment to comment on the recent news of Southside Johnny Lyon retirement from touring. I apologize in advance, this is long.
I want to thank John for all the cities played, miles travelled, songs sung, stories told, laughs laughed, and most of all, the enormous amount of music that we performed together since 1998. Even all our fighting and cussing don't seem so bad, now.
50+ years leading a band around the world. A contrarian from New Jersey without a plan. Jawdroppingly awesome.
South gave me a place to hang my hat immediately after I joined the band—his encouragement to be myself, and to "set a fire" under him was affirmation to me that someone wanted me around for a reason other than to just fill a seat. I was doing better than okay as a NYC sideman, making a living and playing with cool people, but man, I really wanted to be in a band. His commitment to the performative, put-it-in-their face, for-the-people, unscripted presentation of old school Rock & Roll meets Soul was gold to my eyes, and instantly drew me in. Never a dull moment, no pretentiousness, and no intentional showbiz phoniness allowed. Let the chips fall where they may—in real time, in front of real people. It was rare for a band then and it's rare now.
Thank god, he always had the songs. Great songs. Every show, Southside would sing absolute masterpieces written by the likes of Asbury Jukes co-founder Steven Van Zandt, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, Leiber & Stoller, Holland/Dozier/Holland and so many more. And, South didn't just sing those creations, he lived inside them, interpreting the lyrics and melodies as he saw fit, in real time. Feeling each line of heartache and personalizing each phrase of hope and exaltation. Add in his natural "It" factor—few people can walk onstage like him, usually dressed like a high school guidance counselor on a bender, and immediately elicit such strong reactions by the audience—and well, the stage was his to own, to destroy or often, both. A performer unlike any other, period.
Alas, as the Frontman retires from touring, so does his band. The Asbury Jukes will be remembered as an entity that supported their leader with muscle, nuance, accuracy, looseness, virtuosity, encyclopedic musical knowledge and the power to turn on a dime when their enigmatic singer changed gears and courses—sometimes mid-song. The band was like a freight train, almost impossible to knock us off the tracks. The Jukes played with pride and purpose on every stage—be it in clubs, arenas, parking lots, boats, knockdown joints, stadiums or zoos (not kidding). A band for The People.
Too many great Jukes to mention, but I must call out my longest—tenured bandmate (he's got me by a couple of months), trumpeter/horn arranger, Chris Anderson. He and I were on the bridge that linked the classic earlier lineups with the present generation that we know today. We were given instructions by Johnny to help him go forward, and we accepted.
Thank you to our Manager, Harvey Leeds, for saying Yes more than No, and then figuring out how to afford Yes.
About fifteen years ago, South made me the bandleader. John and I had become songwriting and producing partners, and our infamously (let's call it dynamic) active friendship was a natural fit onstage, as well. I appreciate the agency that he gave me. It was like walking a tightrope every night, but hey—I always loved the circus. Following in the footsteps of former iconic leaders like Bobby Bandiera, Billy Rush and Little Steven, I was well aware of the legacy and weight Johnny was bestowing to me as his musical consigliere. I took it seriously in every spectrum of our band—performances, arranging, writing/producing material, studio work, art and business opinions. I'll always be grateful to have been given those keys.
A few things I'll miss:
—my many travels and talks with the invaluable Joe Prinzo, our Front of House mixer, Road Manager, and oh-so much more. Many, many days off in faraway places, drinking coffee, buying stuff, eating excellent dinners, talking about our families and scheming for the next cool thing for the band.
—our dear friend and lifelong roadie, Hood, who we lost in April of 2020. He joined the Jukes as a kid and worked for Johnny until his passing. For me, the band was never really quite the same after he left. His passion for the Jukes and knowledge of Rock and Roll was epic. A good man.
—the time spent on and offstage with my bandmates and crew. I love them all. We experienced life together in busses, airplanes, Econoline Vans and countless backstage greenrooms. Together, we watched each other's families grow, lost loved ones, felt the high and lows of the path we'd chosen, and a ton of bullshit talk about Chuck Berry, The Godfather, Coltrane, Pete Rose, politics, The Yankees and the Mets, and everything else. Much respect each of these talented, soulful and wayfaring warriors. Champions, all.
—writing dozens of songs with Southside, in the "Southside Johnny Suite" in my Queens, NY basement (just a couch to sleep on), surrounded by my kids's plastic toys and dolls, countless keyboards, and tons of yellow legal pads, napkins, hotel stationary—any piece of paper that held a lyrical nugget. Opening up each other, emotionally and philosophically—anyway we could to get a true line written. One learns a lot about each other in those situations. We wrote some stuff we're both proud of. Then, the dinners upstairs, cooked by my wife Constance, and the chaos of my daughters and a slightly fueled up Uncle Southside talking god-knows-what at the table. It was loud.
—I'll miss the incredible fans that followed and supported Southside and the boys for over 50 years. I've received so many emails, messages and posts from you, detailing your love for John and the band. So kind and warm to my heart, Thank YOU, for giving me purpose and such a rewarding career. It was an honor.
I'm not sure how it plays out for Johnny in regards to the "what now" part of his life. That's his tale to tell. As his friend, former employee and fan, I hope he finds some time to create more stuff and sing a bit now and then. It's my opinion that he has more to give, and I'll always support him in any endeavor. A friend, until the end.
Folks. Please let it be known that I'm not retiring from anything, but merely stoking the fire again for the next stage of my artistic life. I hope that you will find some time to catch me at a show or check out my music, new and old. I've always had an active musical life outside of the Jukes, and now that part of my journey is ramping up to something new and special.
All good things come to an end. Damn. What a ride.
God Bless Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes
Love, Jeff Kazee
Images below, 1) group portrait by Danny Clinch 2) South & me by Mark Kraynak 3) group bow at The Paradiso in Amsterdam by unknown.
