16 Facts About Southside Johnny

Southside Johnny grew up in a home full of music and with his parents' big record collection of blues and jazz; his father played bass in bands.

Southside Johnny first achieved prominence in the mid-1970s as the second act to emerge from the Jersey Shore music scene and be considered part of the Jersey Shore sound, following Bruce Springsteen.

Southside Johnny acted in one sketch, and the entire band was featured as a plot point in another.

In 1983, Southside Johnny served as a technical advisor on the film Eddie and the Cruisers.

In 1985, Southside Johnny contributed the title track to the film Tuff Turf.

In 1986, Southside Johnny contributed the track "Let Me at 'Em" to the soundtrack for the film Karate Kid II.

In 1988, Southside Johnny released his first solo record Slow Dance containing ballads and love songs like "On the Air", but "Little Calcutta", a rare political song, describing the life of the homeless in New York City.

In 1990, Southside Johnny contributed the songs "Memories of You" and "Written in the Wind" to the film Captain America.

Southside Johnny's recording career was re-launched with the album Better Days, which featured production by Van Zandt, songs by Springsteen, and vocal performances from Van Zandt, Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi.

In 1992, Southside Johnny contributed the song "Shake 'Em Down" to the film The Mighty Ducks.

Southside Johnny eventually relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, taking a break from the music business.

In 1998, Southside Johnny came back into the spotlight with an independent release titled Spittin' Fire, a live record with a semi-acoustic Jukes lineup released in France containing a 20-song set recorded during a series of 10 shows at the Chesterfield Cafe in Paris, France.

Southside Johnny continued to perform, and maintains substantial audience followings as 2002's Live At The Opera House DVD, filmed at a sold-out performance in Newcastle upon Tyne, demonstrated.

In 2007, Southside Johnny appeared in an episode of The Sopranos TV show entitled "Chasing It", where he performed the song "Bossman" with Nancy Sinatra.

In 2008, Southside Johnny collaborated with long-time Asbury Jukes trombone player Richie "La Bamba" Rosenberg, for a break from the classic Asbury Jukes sound to classic Big-Band Jazz.

On May 4,2014, Southside Johnny headlined at the Hoboken Arts and Music Festival with 300 artists and 30 musicians in Hoboken, New Jersey.