A classic fixture of the '70s, Southside Johnny looks ahead

For Southside Johnny, having a party has been the priority for more than 30 years.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Emerging second out of the New Jersey gate behind some guy named Bruce Springsteen, John "Southside Johnny" Lyon carved a healthy career out of his bar band style of rock and R & amp;B. Despite his Garden State home, Lyon to this day holds a special place in his heart for Northeast Ohio.
"Cleveland is really where we broke out," said Lyon, calling from Ocean Grove, N.J. "I played for years and years in New Jersey and I crossed into New York and Philadelphia.
But Cleveland was the first big city we played out of New Jersey after we made an album and the reception was just unbelievable. It was full. People were crazy and it made me feel as though perhaps I could be a legitimate recording person or anyway semi-legitimate."
During the mid-to-late '70s, baby boomers gravitated toward such Southside Johnny & amp; The Asbury Jukes' tracks as his trademark tune "I Don't Want to Go Home," "The Fever" and, of course, a cover of Sam Cooke's "Having a Party." While today he's fallen into the classic rock niche, where new albums from older artists are rarely listened to by old fans, Lyon remains focused on tomorrow.
Looking ahead
Having just released his latest album "Into the Harbour" last year, the 57-year-old singer is already thinking about his next album, which is anything but a resting-on-his-laurels project.
"I'm working on a big-band project with like an 18-piece orchestra," Lyon said. "It's all Tom Waits songs and we're going to do those Count Basie style with big pumping stuff. And there's some brass choir. It's all different things.
"There are so many strange avenues you can go down because there are so many different ways of having a lot of horns. It's been very eye-opening."
Lyon's friendship with Waits goes back decades, including a cover of the singer's "New Coat of Paint" for the 1984 Southside Johnny & amp; The Asbury Jukes album "In the Heat."
As for the big-band project, which is tentatively scheduled for a 2007 release date, the song list includes recorded Waits material ("Shiver me Timbers"), as well obscure and unreleased tracks.
"My nightmare is that it will become somewhat popular and I'll have to go on tour with 15 horns," laughed Lyon. "Be careful of what you wish for."
What he wishes for
In conversation, Lyon is careful to point out that he's achieved everything he could have wished for and more. Sure, he's living off his past, but who doesn't -- especially after three decades? So what's missing from the career?
"I'm always trying to find that golden moment whether on stage or in the studio, where you lose yourself in the song and it becomes just music and there's no ego or no other consideration than the emotion of the song," Lyon said.
"But I've got a mortgage so that'll keep you motivated. And I like doing it."
Coming to the region
Right now doing it means performing for fans. You can see Southside Johnny & amp; The Asbury Jukes on Friday at The Cellar in Struthers and Saturday at the 15th Annual Tops Great American Rib Cook-Off and Music Festival in Cleveland. Not only does he promise a good time, Lyon goes on the record with the following:
"I personally guarantee the best weather of all year at the Rib Cook-Off," Lyon said.
"And as for Youngstown, what can I say that will really create problems? We'll be giving away hundred-dollar bills during the show. And if anybody asks, I'll just deny it."