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Rock and Roll High School: Southside Johnny and Joe D'Urso in Concert
"I realize we're in New York, but just barely. Maybe if you're lucky we'll invade and claim it for New Jersey," Southside Johnny told the packed house at the Tappan Zee High School Theater on May 7, 2004 after performing the Jukes opening number of 'Unchain My Heart.'
 The Asbury Jukes came north to invade, and rock, Rockland County! The presence of the legendary Jersey-shore band in the Rockland County region after an absence of more than a decade unchained and unleashed the enthusiasm of the crowd in attendance as well. The Jukes continued with 'Love on the Wrong Side of Town' and 'Talk to Me' and by the time the first three songs were complete the gap between the theater's front row and the stage had been turned into a raucous five-row deep standing-room-only pit of energized Jukes fans. The people seated in the first five rows who paid $75.00 a seat for the prime real estate and privilege of seeing Southside Johnny up-close and personal couldn't have been too happy but most weren't complaining because they and the band were there to support a good cause that raised funds for the Rockland County PBA Widows and Orphans Fund and The Tappan Zee High School C.O.V.E. Program.
 Southside Johnny and Bobby Bandiera onstage at The Tappan Zee High School Theater! Lately, Southside Johnny and The Jukes have been displaying their rejuvenated brand of R&B and soul with a professionalism and playfulness that is still very much as captivating as it was when the band peaked commercially back in the early 1980's. A comeback concert slash homecoming show at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park in the summer of 2003 was one of the most talked about events of the season on the Jersey shore last year. It's not that the Jukes have gone away. The band has kept up a relentless touring schedule with frequent jaunts overseas to play for their European fan base but the prevailing sense is that the Jukes have returned to form with their consistently outstanding concert performances of late. The show at Tappan Zee showcased a band that was loose and tight at the same time. Bandleader Johnny Lyon seemed to be in a fine mood, enjoying the moment, displaying his quick-wit with many hilarious one-liners to the pleasure of the over 800-hundred fans in attendance.
 Southside Johnny, La Bamba and the Jukes! Also on display was the playfully caustic relationship that Johnny seems to have with his guitar player, Bobby Bandiera. At one point in the show Johnny brought the band down with Bobby slowly keeping the driving rhythm going until Southside halted the song completely keeping the band in a moment of suspended animation. "Look at him there he's all coiled up and ready to spring..." Johnny said about the anticipatory look his guitar player was giving him, ready to restart the song, before delivering the put-down punch line, "like a pubic hair!" Before playing the next song Johnny introduced it as being Bobby's theme-song before leading the band through 'Without Love'. Highlighting the evening was Southside's signature horn section that featured the impressive work of Mark Pender and an interlude that showcased Richie "La Bamba" Rosenberg's falsetto/baritone primal screams. All in all Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes delivered a strong two-hour show that featured many hits and rarities including 'Paris', 'I Played the Fool', 'Without Love', 'Why Is Love Such A Sacrifice', 'Fever', 'Trapped Again', 'It Ain't The Meat', 'Living With the Blues', 'All Night Long', and 'I Don't Want To Go Home'. After wowing the crowd Southside Johnny took the opportunity to dramatically exit stage-side through the theater's open fire door before returning for a run of encores to the delight of his fans. Opening the show was Rockland County's own Joe D'Urso and his solid backing band, Stone Caravan. At the start of his set Joe explained how over the years himself and the band have supported Southside Johnny on many tours in various cities, states and countries throughout the world but never in his home region and he was happy to have finally made it happen on this night for a good cause. Joe and the Stone Caravan quartet (Sam LaMonica - drums; Greg Lykins - electric guitar; and Lou DeMartino - bass) emerged onstage promptly at 8:00 p.m. and tore into 'So Tired', an animated jamming rocker from the band's most recent Both Sides of Life record. Featuring a strong beat and dueling acoustic and electric guitars the song set the tone and pace for JD&SC's 45-minute set.
 Joe D'Urso and Stone Caravan are the spirit of rock and roll! More songs followed including 'Freezing Dreams', 'Numb', 'Let It Go', 'Rock and Roll Call', and 'Noisy Guitars'. The band, playing their high-energy brand of American-style music that embodies "the spirit of rock and roll" was clearly on and visibly enjoying their time onstage. When the time came to turn the show over to Southside it was obvious that they had won many new fans in their hometown. Reports following the show on message boards throughout the Internet were praising the energy of cohesiveness of Stone Caravan and the quality and strength of D'Urso's songs. While Joe and his band have developed a strong following in Europe over the past decade, regularly selling out shows on their club and theater tours, finding success locally in the shadow of New York City has been more challenging. According to Joe, more high-profile shows like this in the region are in the planning stages and they look like a good vehicle to set Stone Caravan on a roll in Rockland County and the surrounding area. Thanks to the professional performances and quality musicianship delivered by both bands all the fans in attendance should have left with a pleasurable education in the legendary Jersey shore sound thanks to Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes and an immersion into the curriculum of American rock stylings courtesy of Joe D'Urso and Stone Caravan. Best of all – there were no tests to take!
 Joe D'Urso and guitarist Greg Lykins rockin' for the home crowd!
Related Links: For more information on Southside Johnny and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- Southside Johnny | Joe D'Urso & SC
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