Havin’ A Party when Southside Johnny takes the Ridgefield Playhouse stage on April 8

Catch the band that counts Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi as fans, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, when they return to The Ridgefield Playhouse on April 8

The Godfather of the New Jersey sound, Southside Johnny, has been a staple in the Garden State music scene since 1976 when he first brought the Asbury Jukes together. With catchy rock songs like “Havin’ A Party,” “I Don’t Want to Go Home” and “Love on the Wrong Side of Town” and a rotating group of members that has included Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, and Steve Van Zandt, it’s no wonder that they’ve influenced a generation of Jersey rockers, including Bon Jovi who credits Southside Johnny as his reason for singing. See Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes tear it up live when they return to The Ridgefield Playhouse on Sunday, April 8 at 8pm, part of Pepsi Rock Series Powered by Xfinity. Make it a great night out with dinner and a show, visit Ancient Mariner (451 Main Street ~ Ridgefield) for dinner the night of the show and enjoy a complimentary glass of house wine or draft beer with the purchase of an entree with your ticket! Media partner for this performance is 95.9 The Fox, Classic Rock.

Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes are the quintessential Jersey Shore band, who count fellow Jersey rockers like Springsteen and Bon Jovi among their biggest fans. Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes have recorded and performed on several Springsteen songs, including "The Fever" and "Fade Away." And, The Boss returned the favor, performing with the band on numerous occasions and guesting on their 1991 album, Better Days. During the band's formative years Steve Van Zandt acted as the band's co-leader, guitarist, songwriter, arranger and producer while other E Streeters, including Clarence Clemons, Max Weinberg, Garry Tallent, Ernest Carter, Patti Scialfa and Soozie Tyrell have all performed, toured and/or recorded with the Jukes. The band's horn section – the Miami Horns – has also toured and recorded with Springsteen.

More than one hundred musicians can claim to have been members of the Asbury Jukes, including Jon Bon Jovi who toured with the band as a special guest in 1990. In addition to Southside Johnny, the current eight-man, line-up of the band includes Glenn Alexander (guitar), Chris Anderson (trumpet), John Conte (bass), John Isley (saxophone), Jeff Kazee (piano), Neal Pawley (trombone) and Tom Seguso (drums).

For tickets ($50), call or visit the box office, 203-438-5795 or go online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org.  The Ridgefield Playhouse is a non-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.