(RED BANK, NJ) -- Sad news for the Jersey Music Community. Southside Johnny announced he has retired from touring immediately, leading to the cancellation of this year's annual New Year's Eve performance at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank.
Southside Johnny Lyon had a health scare while performing at The Stone Pony on February 17th of this year. He left the stage and was taken to the hospital where he was treated for dehydration.
In a message on the Basie website, Southside says, "After a hugely successful 50-year run with his band Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, touring non-stop throughout the U.S and overseas, 'Southside Johnny' Lyon has made the decision to retire from touring in order to manage ongoing health issues.”
The Basie will offer ticket refunds via attendee's point of purchase.
"Johnny Lyon and the Asbury Jukes are an integral part of the Basie Center’s history and the history of music here at the Jersey Shore," the venue's website stated. "While we’re sad we won’t be seeing them this New Year’s Eve, everyone at the Count Basie Center is forever grateful for the hundreds of moments that he and his bandmates have created on our stages. We love you, Johnny!"
Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes were one of the most popular bands in New Jersey in the mid 1970s. They went from being the house band at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park to a national act with the release of “I Don’t Want to Go Home” in 1976. Since then, they have taken their signature blend of rock ’n’ roll with rhythm & blues – always featuring a stellar horn section – around the world.
And from the very beginning, the band has owned New Year’s Eve in the Garden State. They’ve played NYE shows at venues from the old Capitol Theatre in Passaic to the State Theatre in New Brunswick to the Count Basie Theatre, which has been their NYE home for most of the last two decades.
In a 2016 interview with Jersey Arts, Johnny recalled how New Year's Eve was always a good night for bands to play. As the shows took place year after year, it became a Jersey tradition.
“It meant I didn’t have to sweat where I was going to be on New Year’s Eve!” explained Southside. “I knew where I was going to be and I knew what I was going to be doing. For a musician, it’s such an iffy business to know whether you were going to be popular or not or be booked anywhere. When – way back in the 70s – we started getting these regular gigs, there’s a certain comfort level that comes with it."
“The one day off I think I’ve had in the last 40 years of New Years is the year Stevie Van Zandt decided to marry Maureen in New York on New Year’s Eve,” recalled Southside. “I had to go to New York City on New Year’s Eve instead of sitting home with my wife by the fireplace, probably asleep by 10:30 p.m. So, I figure I might as well work the night!”
In 2023, the band started their New Year's Eve show early (6:00pm start) and that was the plan for this year as well.
Johnny Lyon was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in the Class of 2018. He has been a part of Jersey Shore rock and roll history since the 1960s. For an interview about the early days, click here.
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