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1983-present

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Bill Chinnock
"Livin' In The Promised Land"

Released in 2003

Bill Chinnock was a bluesy rock artist from New Jersey who had soulful vocals.  He became a legend in Maine where he lived for decades until his death from Lyme Disease.  He was one of the musicians who honed his craft at the old Upstage Club in Asbury Park.

In the 1960s, Bill had bands with several musicians who would later be part of the E Street Band.  One was The Storytellers which included Danny Federici and Vini Lopez. Those two also played with Bill in The Downtown Tangiers Band.

This was Bill Chinnock's first album in over a decade and sadly would be his final release. It's soulful and bluesy and reaches some very high highs. Even though the New Jersey native had long since become a Maine legend by the time this was released, it's a record that should be in every Jersey music fan collection.

My favorites include "When You Love Somebody", "Kings of the Highway", "How Great the Fire", "Still Dreamin of You", and "Blues Fallin Down Like Rain".

Sadly, I could not find any tracks online.

I interviewed Bill after the release of "Livin In The Promised Land" in 2003 for the first issue of Upstage Magazine. That feature is available here.







 

COLUMNS


Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Home in Your Heart" by Gary Shaffer

The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Home in Your Heart," the latest single from veteran Jersey Shore singer-songwriter Gary Shaffer.




Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 09/10/2026




This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from September 9-15, 2026




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Long Live the Low" by Sean Kiely








 

MORE NEWS

(EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Orchard Park by David Burke presents some high-quality original blues when respected New Jersey-based bluesman James 'JB' Barnes and his BBD Rhythm & Blues Band perform there in concert on Friday, September 25, 2026. Showtime is 7:00pm. Admission is free.


MPAC presents Cheap Trick: All Washed Up Tour on September 19th




Broadway star Jessica Vosk kicks off MPAC's 32nd Season on September 18th




Strand Theater presents RAEL - The Music of Genesis and Peter Gabriel on Saturday




Scottish Rite Auditorium presents Celtic Thunder on Sunday








 

UPCOMING SHOWS


Ocean Casino Resort presents John Fogerty and Steve Winwood on Friday

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) --   Ocean Casino Resort presents John Fogerty and Steve Winwood on Friday, September 11, 2026 at 8:00pm in Ovation Hall. The pair of Rock and Roll Hall of Famers bring their Legacy tour to Atlantic City.


Music Box at the Borgata presents Justin Hayward on Friday




The Williams Center hosts Spirit of 76 Expo on Saturday




Strand Theater presents RAEL - The Music of Genesis and Peter Gabriel on Saturday