Kevin Kavanaugh was the first "rock star" who ever took the time to talk to me.
You might think the original pianist for Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes was not a "rock star" and you would be right, at least in the traditional sense.
But the fact that he spent 10-15 minutes talking to me before a Jukes show in Mansfield, PA, around 1977 or so made him a rock star in my eyes. We spoke about their first couple of albums, the sounds of Asbury Park and why Beaver Brown could probably not escape the long shadow of Springsteen. We also talked about our favorite bands and what my favorite Jukes song was ("Sweeter than Honey"). And then when he actually recognized me and spoke with me again for a short time a year or so later at the The Stone Pony; well, not only did he play in one of my favorite bands, it proved to me that he really was a nice guy. And genuine to boot.
His melodic work graced some of the Jukes' best songs, including the seminal "Hearts of Stone" album.
Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes never quite made the big time. But for several years, I followed them from the Stone Pony to places like Bucknell, Bloomsburg, Trenton and the afore-mentioned Mansfield State College (now University), among others.
They did more than just fill in the gaps when Springsteen wasn't touring. They were a sweating, rollicking encyclopedia of rhythm and blues and soul, and quite possibly the best bar band of all the bar bands. And by the time of "Hearts of Stone," with a handful of sterling Van Zandt/Springsteen originals, they were one of the top 3-4 bands period in the country.
They were plenty big time to me.
Especially Kevin Kavanaugh, who died last week at the too-young-age of 58.
You might think the original pianist for Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes was not a "rock star" and you would be right, at least in the traditional sense.
But the fact that he spent 10-15 minutes talking to me before a Jukes show in Mansfield, PA, around 1977 or so made him a rock star in my eyes. We spoke about their first couple of albums, the sounds of Asbury Park and why Beaver Brown could probably not escape the long shadow of Springsteen. We also talked about our favorite bands and what my favorite Jukes song was ("Sweeter than Honey"). And then when he actually recognized me and spoke with me again for a short time a year or so later at the The Stone Pony; well, not only did he play in one of my favorite bands, it proved to me that he really was a nice guy. And genuine to boot.
His melodic work graced some of the Jukes' best songs, including the seminal "Hearts of Stone" album.
Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes never quite made the big time. But for several years, I followed them from the Stone Pony to places like Bucknell, Bloomsburg, Trenton and the afore-mentioned Mansfield State College (now University), among others.
They did more than just fill in the gaps when Springsteen wasn't touring. They were a sweating, rollicking encyclopedia of rhythm and blues and soul, and quite possibly the best bar band of all the bar bands. And by the time of "Hearts of Stone," with a handful of sterling Van Zandt/Springsteen originals, they were one of the top 3-4 bands period in the country.
They were plenty big time to me.
Especially Kevin Kavanaugh, who died last week at the too-young-age of 58.
"Love on the Wrong Side of Town"
(THE Jukes lineup; look at those suits......and one of my favorite Asbury Jukes songs, with Kevin Kavanaugh playing piano and singing backup)
(THE Jukes lineup; look at those suits......and one of my favorite Asbury Jukes songs, with Kevin Kavanaugh playing piano and singing backup)
Strictly 100: Number 26 - Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes
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