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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


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MORE NEWS

(PRINCETON, NJ) — The Princeton Folk Music Society presents Kate Taylor on Friday, November 20, 2026 in an evening of upbeat and bubbling song filled with enthusiasm and love. The concert takes place at Christ Congregation Church in Princeton. Showtime is 8:00pm. A livestream option is available as well.


State Theatre New Jersey and Relix present Joe Russo's Almost Dead




The Cutting Room hosts Tripi: Close to Fire - A Grief Support Benefit Concert on Friday




Founder of The Jersey Pops Orchestra releases Christmas Album




Roy's Hall to Host Peter Karp Record Release Show on November 6th








 

UPCOMING SHOWS


State Theatre New Jersey presents Get the Led Out on October 30th

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Get The Led Out on Friday, October 30, 2026 at 8:00pm. From bombastic and epic to the folky and mystical, Get The Led Out (GTLO) have captured the essence of the recorded music of Led Zeppelin and brought it to the concert stage. The Philadelphia-based group consists of six veteran musicians intent on delivering.


The Lizzie Rose Halloween Spectacular takes place October 30th




Songwriters in the Pines Returns to Albert Music Hall on Friday




Outpost in the Burbs presents Suzanne Vega on Friday