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| The Stanhope House has been a longtime popular venue for acts to perform. It is located in Stanhope. |
We continue our countdown of the artists with a Jersey connection that have affected me over the last 55+ years, with our third installment. Also, artists from the state, aside from dominating the top 2 (well, actually ONE band is dominating the top two), they account for five of the seven debuts this week. Without further adieu, here are the Jersey artists from #60 to #41.
60. Gia Ness
Jersey Connection: Lived in several towns in Morris County
Years Considered: 2020-2021
Blog Hits: "Across the Universe" (with Ariel Walton) (#5, 2021); 'Lovesong" (with Cameron Ness) (#7, 2021)
Gia has been a personal friend of mine since she at one time lived in my apartment building in Budd Lake back in 1987. Originally from the Scranton area of Pennsylvania and currently living in Clintondale New York (near New Paltz), she has spent time living in the Garden State as well. Back then she was a member of such local bands as Mistral and Leather and Lace. While she pretty much gave up the band life to start a successful career for a software/tech company, she never left music completely. A few years back, during a business trip, she discovered a store near the hotel she was staying in, which featured ukuleles. Having played bass back in the day, she picked it up for therapeutic purposes. This led to her website "Tiny Bubbles Ukulele" and her playing at various events and festivals around the New Paltz NY area. In 2020 she recorded an album of covers, Incidental Music, some of them featuring members of her family. Two of these songs, featuring her niece, and son, made my top 10 earlier this year. This past Sunday, we caught her performing at an Open Air Market in New Paltz. A great person to get to know.
59. Billy Spanton Band
Jersey Connection: Sussex County area band plays often in New Jersey, keyboardist Ron Pietranowicz originally from Roselle Park.
Years Considered: 2016-2017
Blog Hits: "Shake Your Soul" (#3, 2016); "Faith (Hands on Me)", (#11, 2017)
Personal Year-End: "Shake Your Soul", #18, 2016; "Faith (Hands on Me)", #65, 2017.
Guitarist Billy Spanton has had a long career in bands and playing venues around the Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey areas. He started out in the early 1990's in a band called Short Circuit, and has opened shows for bands like .38 Special, Marshall Tucker Band, and members of Lynyrd Skynyrd. After forming another band in the late 1990's, Made in the Shade, this evolved into a couple of tribute bands: Tattoo You (Rolling Stones) and Straight Shooter (Bad Company). The latter was a natural as Billy's voice compared to that band's original lead singer Paul Rodgers. He also struck up a friendship with drummer Simon Kirke.
When that wound down, he started writing and performing originals, forming the Billy Spanton Band. Among other things, they opened for Bad Company on a recent tour. Their 2017 album, Matter of Pride picked up airplay at a Scranton radio station. Although the band is technically based in Milford PA, just across the Delaware River from Jersey, they have toured extensively here, including the Stone Pony and other popular Jersey venues. But the real reason they are on this list is because of their keyboardist, Ron Pietranowicz, whom I had known since 4th grade and has had an extensive career playing in many bands. I had seen his band Moving Company back in 2010; one of three bands he had currently been in. Sadly, Ron died of a heart attack in November 2016, just a month or so after I had seen him at a class reunion. He left behind his wife, Kathy Brady, who joined him in heaven last year. Ron will always be remembered as an awesome guy.
58. The Gaslight Anthem
Jersey Connection: Band originated in New Brunswick
Years Considered: 2008-2015
Top Billboard Hits (Alternative): "45" (#11, 2012); "The '59 Sound" (#35, 2008)
Blog Hits: "Get Hurt" (#17, 2014); "45", (#37, 2012); "Boxer" (#68, 2010)
Personal Year-End: "Get Hurt", #108, 2014.
This band's leader, Brian Fallon originally formed a band called This Charming Man, which had many personnel changes and eventually morphed into The Gaslight Anthem. Originating out of New Brunswick, they played many area bars, the first gig being The Only Game in Town, in Somerville. Their music was a mix of heartland, indie and punk, and released their debut in 2007, Sink or Swim which garnered some notice, but it was the follow-up, The '59 Sound that got them airplay and the title track made the alternative charts. The band, which had many style changes, was influenced by everyone from the Rolling Stones and Derek and the Dominoes to Pearl Jam. By 2013, the band started getting frustrated when fans seem to continually request Bruce Springsteen covers, of which critics likened to the band to, although Fallon has said that wasn't intentional. They went on hiatus in 2015, reuniting once in 2018 for a concert at Randall's Island in New York
57. John Travolta
Jersey Connection: Born and raised in Englewood; NJ Hall of Fame Inductee, 2011.
Years Considered: 1976-1978
Top Billboard Hits : "You're the One That I Want" (with Olivia Newton-John); (#1, 1978); "Summer Nights" (with Olivia Newton-John and 'Grease' cast); (#5, 1978); "Let Her In" (#10, 1976).
Personal Year-End: "Let Her In" #32, 1976; "You're the One That I Want", #19, 1978; "Summer Nights" #57, 1978.
While it might seem weird to include this actor on my list, he did have a brief musical career of sorts in the 1970's. Then again, Joe Piscopo is on this list, so anything is possible! After dropping out of high school and moving to New York he started acting and was in the touring edition of the musical Grease, as well as in Over Here! on Broadway. His first movie role was in 1976 in the Sissy Spacek movie Carrie, but he became a teen hearthrob playing Vinnie Barbarino in the sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter. Because of that, he wound up with a recording contract and landed a top 10 hit in the summer of 1976 with "Let Her In", as well as a top 40 hit the following spring. Then came Saturday Night Fever which cemented his movie career, and followed it up with the lead in the movie version of Grease, which yielded two top five hits with singer and co-lead Olivia Newton-John. While his movie career went into a bit of a slump in the late 80's, he returned with a vengeance in Pulp Fiction and has been active to this day. Music wise, in recent years, Travolta duetted with Miley Cyrus in "I Thought I Lost You" from the 2008 Disney animated movie Bolt; then reunited with Grease co-star Olivia Newton-John for a 2012 Christmas album.
56. Big Troubles
Years Considered: 2011-2012
Blog Hits: "Bite Yr Tongue" (#7, 2011); "She Smiles for Pictures" (#22, 2011)
Personal Year-End: "Bite Yr Tongue" #26, 2011
You can thank my friend Craig Young for getting me into this apparently short-lived band, one of three on this list that was a part of the Ridgewood music scene. Formed in 2009, this indie pop, lo-fi band was influenced by the "shoegaze" bands of the early 1990's, and 1980's jangle pop. Their first album Worry was a rather crude, stripped down album, but garnered the band some notice, and it was followed by 2011's Romantic Comedy, a more full indie pop effort. Their blog hit, "Bite Yr Tongue" was notable in that the video featured some well-known places in Northern New Jersey, a concept that would later be expanded by another Jersey artist, Paul Czekaj. Not much is known about the band after 2011.
55. Joe Walsh
Jersey Connection: Spent teen years in Montclair and went to Montclair H.S.
Years Considered: 1973, 1978-1981
Top Billboard Hits: "Life's Been Good" (#12, 1978); "All Night Long" (#19, 1980); "Rocky Mountain Way" (#23, 1973); "A Life of Illusion" (#34, 1981)
Personal Year-End: "Rocky Mountain Way" #58, 1973; "All Night Long", #83, 1980; "A Life of Illusion" #35, 1981.
This artist is on the list due to spending his teen years in Montclair and played oboe in that high school's band, but of course, he is well known for being a part of arguably the most successful band from the West Coast. Born in Wichita, Kansas, Walsh took interest in the guitar after hearing "Walk Don't Run" by The Ventures. He was in a few bands growing up but became a part of two major bands. First up was the James Gang which put out several albums in the late 60's and early 70's and had a sizable hit single with "Funk #49" in which he was the lead singer. After leaving the James Gang, he put together his own band, Barnstorm, and hit paydirt with his 1973 album The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get, and its single "Rocky Mountain Way". After a couple more solo efforts, he joined the Eagles, adding a harder rock edge to the band's normally laid-back country rock. He played on Hotel California and The Long Run before that band split in the early 1980's. He still recorded solo during that tenure, and his most successful album was 1978's So What and biggest single "Life's Been Good". He had another hit with "All Night Long" from the Urban Cowboy soundtrack, in 1980 and the following year, There Goes the Neighborhood was released with "A Life of Illusion" which hit #1 on the then-new mainstream rock chart in Billboard. He cooled off after that, but much of his 1980's output was solid album rock radio fare. In 1992, he released a song "Vote for Me" in that election year, which got airplay on local station WDHA. He also played as part of Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band (he married Ringo's sister-in-law) and still records to this day, his most recent album being 2012's Analog Man and collaborations with Ringo and Sheryl Crow in recent years, and still tours with the Eagles since their reunion in 1994. Walsh has dabbled in politics and even "ran" for President in 1980, Vice-President in 1992 and seriously considered running for congress in 2012.
54. The Outcrops
Jersey Connection: Band is from North Jersey.
Years Considered: 2020-2021
Blog Hits: "Lost Days" (#1, 2020); "Peace of Mind" (#25, 2021)
Personal Year-End: "Lost Days", #5, 2020
This band's name comes from a geological term meaning "outstanding rock formation", and that pretty much sums up this bluesy rock band that's been around since 2016. The band is fronted by Cassidy Rain who has been compared to the likes of Bonnie Raitt and Susan Tedeschi. Lead guitarist Bryan Schroeder's playing echoes that of Duane Allman and Jerry Garcia. I first took notice of the band when they played Hackettstown's "Mayfest" at the Czig Meister brewery's beer garden in 2019. I caught them again the following year in Clinton's Riley and Jake's pub. The band put out an album Peace of Mind in late 2019, which spawned a single and video "Lost Days", which personally had gotten me through the spring 2020 lockdown due to the pandemic. The band regularly plays gigs around north and central Jersey and even the Jersey Shore (Sunday nights at the Parker House in Sea Girt). In addition to the band performances, Cassidy Rain often performs acoustic solo, or as a duo with Bryan Schroeder.
53. Looking Glass
Jersey Connection: Band formed at Rutgers University
Years Considered: 1972-1973
Top Billboard Hits: "Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)" (#1, 1972); "Jimmy Loves Mary Anne" (#33, 1973)
Personal Year-End: "Brandy", #10, 1972; "Jimmy Loves Mary-Anne", #5, 1973.
This band was formed in 1969 on the New Brunswick campus of Rutgers University. After a couple of personnel changes, the band signed with Epic Records in 1972. The band's first single was "Don't It Make You Feel Good" which featured singer and actress Tasha Thomas, known at the time for her performance with the Broadway version of The Wiz. However, the song was flipped to the B-side, and that summer, "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" became a huge hit, landing at #1 on the Hot 100. While the band is often considered a "one-hit wonder", they did have a minor hit the following year with "Jimmy Loves Mary Anne". Both songs reached the top 10 on my year-end lists for those respective years. The band released two albums, before lead singer Elliott Lurie left the band and went solo. The remainder of the band, with a couple more changes in members went in a more harder direction, eventually evolving into the hard rock band Starz, which scored a top 40 hit in 1977 with "Cherry Baby" (Starz missed my Jersey countdown, landing at #115).
In 2003, Lurie reformed the band with new members and are reportedly still active today. Meanwhile latter-day Looking Glass and Starz members, including Richie Ranno (who joined in 1975 well after the band's success) still perform local gigs, including one at Roselle Park's Climax Brewing Co in 2019.
52. Franke and the Knockouts
Jersey Connection: Band formed in New Brunswick
Years Considered: 1981-1984
Top Billboard Hits: "Sweetheart" (#10, 1981); "You're My Girl" (#27, 1981); "Without You (Not Another Lonely Night) (#24, 1982)
Personal Year-End: "Sweetheart", #27, 1981; "Without You", #81, 1982.
Yet another band out of New Brunswick (the third in this segment), Franke Previte formed this five-piece band in 1980. Signed to Millennium Records, the band hit pay dirt the first time out with "Sweetheart" hitting the top 10. The band scored two more hits and two albums, before a few personnel changes. One of these changes was the addition of Tico Torres on drums, but the band's third album in 1984 with a harder edged sound failed to make an impact (in spite of a good single "Outrageous"), and band soon split. Torres would then join Bon Jovi and become a major mainstay of that band.
Meanwhile, Previte embarked on a solo career, but struck gold twice as two of his songs, "Hungry Eyes" and "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" were included in the soundtrack to the movie Dirty Dancing, and were big hits for Eric Carmen, and Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes, respectively, and Previte would win an Oscar for Best Original Song
These days, Previte is involved in raising money for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, a disease which claimed the life of his friend (and Dirty Dancing star) Patrick Swayze.
51. Sarah Jean
Years Considered: 2011-2016
Blog Hits: "Hometown" (#3, 2011); "At Last" (#12, 2012); "River" (#17, 2015).
Personal Year-End: "Hometown", #38, 2011; "At Last", #81, 2012.
Also known as Sarah Teti, this singer-songwriter came to my attention as the sometimes member of studio outfit The Hounds of Winter. In fact, it was under the auspices of that contingent that Sarah had recorded her two albums, Sarah Jean and the Hounds of Winter, and Girl Will Run. It was the latter album that spawned two songs that hit the upper regions of my blog chart. In addition, she has also performed on several of the Hounds' Christmas albums, most notably on Joni Mitchell's "River". Sarah still performs live, local gigs. In July of this year, she played at the Martinsville Tavern in Martinsville, as well as at The Parlor in her current town of Metuchen on August 8. All we need now is a new album, long overdue!
50. Crystal Waters
Jersey Connection: Born in Deptford
Years Considered: 1991, 1994
Top Billboard Hits: "Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)" (#8, 1991); "100% Pure Love" (#11, 1994). Also 11 #1's on the Dance Chart between 1991-2019
Personal Year-End: "Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)", #10, 1991; "100% Pure Love", #94, 1994.
This singer had music in her blood as her father was jazz musician Junior Waters, and her great-aunt, Ethel Waters was one of the first African-American singers to be featured in a mainstream Hollywood musical. Crystal learned to write poetry at a young age; at age 14 she was accepted into the Poetry Society of America. Although she studied business and computer technology, and worked as a probation officer, her music career soon took over. Her forte was dance music, specifically the house and electronic sub-genres with a touch of jazz. When she started performing, she took to writing as well. Her first release, "Gypsy Woman" landed her in the top 10. While she had only one more pop hit, "100% Pure Love", she continued to be a force in dance music. Though she hasn't released an album since 1997, she still records, often on compilations for causes or on various remix albums. Her latest single was 2020's "Party People", which got to #19 on the Dance chart.
49. Jonas Brothers
Jersey Connection: The brothers were born in Wyckoff, grew up in Little Falls.
Years Considered: 2008, 2019-2021
Top Billboard Hits: "Sucker" (#1, 2019); "Burnin' Up" (#5, 2008); "Tonight" (#8, 2008)
Blog Hits: "Sucker" (#3, 2019); "Like Its Christmas" (#13, 2019); "Only Human" (#27, 2019)
Personal Year-End: "Sucker", #21, 2019
These three siblings started out as Disney Channel stars, and in 2005 wrote songs for their first album. They starred in various series and movies on that channel and in the span of four years, released four albums, and won Best Breakthrough Artist at the 2009 American Music Awards. After a two year hiatus, the group broke up and each pursued a solo career, most notably Joe Jonas, who formed DNCE. The brothers finally got together again and re-formed in 2019, and promptly debuted at #1 with "Sucker", which was also their biggest blog hit. They have performed and released music since. Nick Jonas has spent two seasons as a coach on the competition series The Voice. The brothers are active in charities, contributing to the Change for the Children Foundation.
48. Sharon Van Etten
Jersey Connection: Born in Belleville, also lived in Nutley and Clinton and went to North Hunterdon H.S.
Years Considered: 2011-2012, 2018-2021
Top Billboard Hits (Triple-A): "Comeback Kid" (#20, 2018); "Seventeen" (#9, 2019); "Like I Used To" (with Angel Olsen) (#27, 2021); "Impossible Weight" (with Deep Sea Diver) (#29, 2021)
Blog Hits: "Comeback Kid" (#3, 2018): "Impossible Weight" (with Deep Sea Diver) (#6, 2021); "Serpents" (#8, 2011); "Seventeen" (#16, 2019); "Like I Used To" (with Angel Olsen) (#22, 2021)
Personal Year-End: "Serpents", #37, 2012; "Comeback Kid", #99, 2019; "Seventeen"; #94, 2019
This artist grew up in a number of Jersey towns and in high school she participated in the chorus and stage musicals. After college she worked in a coffee shop and music venue in Tennessee, and began writing and performing. She got into an abusive relationship with a man who discouraged her from music, and after five years left. She resumed performing in the 2000's, making CD's that she distributed at her gigs. In 2009, she made her official debut with Because I Was in Love; a second set epic was released the following year. In 2012, her third album, Tramp was issued, in which garnered her some buzz; "Serpents", the first single, hit my blog Top 10. By 2019's Remind Me Tomorrow, in which she started infusing electronic sounds into her recordings, she garnered airplay on Triple-A stations and has been a fixture since. In 2020, she got together with the surviving members of Fountains of Wayne in a tribute to that band's leader Adam Schlesinger, who had died from COVID-19. A key influence of Sharon's is Ani DiFranco.
47. The Doughboys
Jersey Connection: Band is from Plainfield
Years Considered: 2016-2018
Blog Hits: "Sink or Swim" (#14, 2018); "For Your Love" (#19, 2016): "Yo Yo" (#26, 2017); "Manic Reaction" (#26, 2017)
Personal Year-End: "For Your Love", #71, 2016); "Sink or Swim" #97, 2018;
This band, another from Union County in the seemingly hotbed of Plainfield, has an unusual history stretching more than half a century. They were a fledging 1960's pop band that appeared on local music shows such as The Clay Cole Show on Channel 11, and, most notably, John Zacherle's Disc-O-Teen show on Channel 47. Originally known as the Ascots, they landed a contract with Bell Records by winning a season-long "battle of the bands" competition on Zacherle's show. At that time, they changed their name to The Doughboys, and were one of Central Jersey's most popular bands in the mid-1960's, and toured with other area bands such as Long Island's The Hassles which had a lead singer named Billy Joel. The band released two singles, "Rhoda Mendelbaum", and "Everybody Knows My Name", the latter written by Bob Gaudio of The Four Seasons. The band also performed weekend shows sponsored by Top 40 radio station WMCA, along with acts like Neil Diamond, Syndicate of Sound ("Little Girl"), Music Explosion ("Little Bit O Soul") and others. They also opened a show for The Beach Boys and The Buckinghams in which singer Myke Scavone, during a performance got into an on-stage fight with Dennis Wilson over a floor tom.
The band continued until 1968 changing their style to more drawn out rock instrumentals, in changing with the times, but after lack of success, they split around 1969. Scavone did some solo work, then was a member of the band Ram Jam which had a 1977 hit, "Black Betty". Member Gar Francis did session work for various artists, including Billy Idol.
The band remained apart until 2000 when member Richard X. Heyman's wife organized a reunion after 30 years, as a surprise. Things went so well, that the band stayed together and played clubs in the Central Jersey area and the Shore, including the Stone Pony (opening for bands such as The Pretenders). The band finally released their debut full-length album in 2007, Is It Now, and four others since, including a live set and 2015's Hot Beat Stew. The band was featured on Sirius XM's Underground Garage channel. In 2016, I caught the band at Knowlton's WNTI Summer Stage, and subsequently started adding songs to my blog playlist.
46. Naughty By Nature
Jersey Connection: Hip-hop trio is from East Orange.
Years Considered: 1991-1993
Top Billboard Hits: "O.P.P." (#6, 1991): "Hip Hop Hooray" (#8, 1993); "Jamboree" (featuring Zhane) (#10, 1999)
Personal Year-End: "O.P.P." ,#18, 1991; "Hip Hop Hooray" #15, 1993.
I guess if I had to name my five favorite hip-hop acts, this group would be right up there. Originating from East Orange in 1986 and originally called The New Style and releasing their debut Independent Style in 1989, at which time they connected with fellow Jerseyan Queen Latifah who started mentoring them. They changed their name to Naughty by Nature and their first album under that name was a success, with a top ten single, "O.P.P." Two years later, with the release of Nineteen Naughty III, they had another hit with "Hip Hop Hooray". This was a favorite of mine and was a sort of a Belmar shore house anthem in the summer of 1993. They continued having pop, R&B and rap hits into the 2000's. In 2011, they became the first hip-hop group to perform at Boston's Fenway Park, but split shortly thereafter, due to personal differences. They reconciled, but a reunion didn't come until 2019 on Cincinnati's "Mixtape Tour".
45. Whitney Houston
Jersey Connection: Singer born in Newark, grew up in East Orange, went to school in Caldwell (Mt. Saint Dominick Academy).
Years Considered: 1985-1992
Top Billboard Hits: 11 #1 songs, including "Saving All My Love For You" (1985); "How Will I Know" (1985); "Greatest Love of All" (1986); "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" (1987); "I'm Your Baby Tonight" (1990); "I Will Always Love You" (1992); "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)", (1995).
Personal Year-End: "One Moment in Time", #85, 1988; "The Star Spangled Banner", #93, 1992.
When you think of 1980's superstars, invariable these three artists come to mind: Michael Jackson, Prince and Madonna. But arguably as big, if not bigger is this singer from Newark. In fact, she holds many records on the charts. From her family and friends, you had to know that she would be very successful. Her mother was Cissy Houston, a singer for the renowned gospel group, The Sweet Inspirations. Her cousin was Dionne Warwick, whom we've yet to hear from in this countdown. Adding to that, her godmother was Darlene Love and Aretha Franklin (whom she later duetted with) was her honorary aunt. After the 1967 Newark riots, her family moved to nearby East Orange. She sang in a local gospel choir growing up. By the late 70s, she was getting experience in singing, backing up the likes of Chaka Khan and Lou Rawls.
But it was the decade of the 80's that she exploded into a superstar. Her debut solo single, "You Give Good Love", hit #3 in 1985, but then followed it with SEVEN straight #1's, which broke the record of 6, shared by The Beatles and Bee Gees. She was the top-selling R&B act of that decade. In the 90's, she expanded her horizons. Her 1992 Super Bowl performance of the National Anthem was a big hit, and that same year scored as an actress with The Bodyguard, and its hit song, a cover of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You", which was #1 for 14 weeks, another record at the time. More films and hits followed. Her songs became more uptempo, but on the other hand, she started getting in trouble and dealing with drug-related issues , some people blaming it on her relationship (and marriage) to former New Edition member Bobby Brown. She separated from him in 2006, but her struggles continued. Finally, on February 11, 2012 she was found unconscious and drowned in her bathtub. This was the night before the Grammys, which would impromptu be turned into a tribute to Whitney.
Ms. Houston was buried in Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, the same place as both my father and uncle. There is a big memorial at her gravesite there.
44. Dr. Hook
Jersey Connection: Band based in Union City.
Years Considered: 1972-1982
Top Billboard Hits: "Sylvia's Mother" (#5, 1972); "Sexy Eyes" (#5, 1980); "The Cover of Rolling Stone" (#6, 1973); "Only Sixteen" (#6, 1976); "Sharing the Night Together" (#6, 1978); "When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman" (#6, 1979).
Personal Year-End: "Only Sixteen" #74, 1976; "When You're in Love With a Beautiful Woman", #30, 1979; "Better Love Next Time" #94, 1980.
While the band originated in Union City, some of the members were from other parts of the country and played in other bands before moving east. The band centered around Ray Sawyer (who wore an eyepatch due to an accident), and Dennis Lacorriere, The band played for a few years in the Garden State and were originally called Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show. In 1970, the band hooked up with lyricist and renowned poet Shel Silverstein who wrote songs for them. The group attracted notice with songs for the movie Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me. This led to a recording contract, with Silverstein providing them with songs for their first two albums. They included the big hits, "Sylvia's Mother" and "The Cover of Rolling Stone". But after an unsuccessful third album, their fortunes went south. However, they rebounded in 1976, writing their own songs and covering others, and also shortened their name. Sam Cooke's "Only Sixteen" put them back in the top 10, and over the next four years came up with many big hits.
The band broke up in 1985, with Lacorriere having a solo career, some of his compositions making the country charts. He still tours sometimes as "Dr. Hook". Ray Sawyer died in 2018.
43. Christina Alessi (and the Toll Collectors)
Years Considered: 2016-2021
Blog Hits: "The Truth's Upon Us" (#6, 2019); "So In Love With You" (#12, 2020); "Where the River Flows" (with the Toll Collectors); (#12, 2020); "Leave the Light On" (#48, 2016)/
Personal Year-End: "The Truth's Upon Us", #48, 2020); "So In Love With You", #59, 2020; "Whatever Gets You Through" #94, 2020.
A Jersey girl through and through, Christina has performed with bands and solo for a good part of the last ten years or so. While I was unable to find a bio, I did discover her back around 2010, as her brother Phil, a co-worker of mine had a band as well, Dark Sacrament. It was then I was aware of his sister's band at the time, Hey Tiger which played the pubs and bars in North Jersey, and we saw her play an acoustic set at that time in a Boonton pub. Her current band, The Toll Collectors have been around since about 2014 and have continued playing the key bars, festivals and clubs, including that in Hoboken. Ms. Alessi released a standalone single in 2015, "Boundaries", and "Leave the Light On" the following year which became her debut blog hit. Her first solo, self titled EP yielded two blog hits, "The Truth's Upon Us" and "So In Love With You". Her first with the Toll Collectors was released in late 2020, Raindrops and Watercolors, includes "Where the River Flows", "Whatever Gets You Through" (both blog top 20 songs), and her prior single "Leave the Light On". Christina and her band continue active in the summer of 2021, fresh off a gig at the Walpack Inn, their first since before the pandemic hit, and more, no doubt will be planned.
42. Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes
Years Considered: 1976-1978; 1983-1986
Top Billboard Hits: "I Don't Want to Go Home" (#105, 1976); "I'm So Anxious" (#71, 1979); "Walk Away Renee" (#98, 1986)
Personal Year-End: "I Don't Want to Go Home", #87, 1976; "Trash It Up", #60, 1983; "Get Your Body on the Job", #52, 1984; "New Romeo"; #64, 1984; "Walk Away Renee"; #81, 1986.
I don't think you can name a band that embodies what this state's sound is all about more than Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes. While "Southside" Johnny Lyon has been the only constant over the decades, the roster of all those who played behind him reads like a "who's who" of Jersey musicians. While Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band had greater success, many of that band's members played with the Jukes at one time or another. Johnny met "Miami" Steve Van Zandt (also known as Little Steven) back in the early 1970's at a club in Asbury Park and started playing together, in various short-lived bands; Bruce Springsteen was often included in some of these lineups. Some of the future E-Street band members were included as well. By 1974, Johnny and Steve were playing in other bands when they decided to come back together and form the Jukes. The following year, Springsteen released Born to Run, in which Steve played in; he would join the E-Streeters but was still considered a Juke. Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes would sign with Epic records (sister label to Columbia in which Springsteen was on), and Steve would produce and write many songs for the group (including a couple co-authored with Bruce). "I Don't Want to Go Home" bubbled under the Billboard Hot 100 and garnered the band some notice. Unlike Springsteen, however, the band was unable to fully transcend their success outside the state, aside from places like Cleveland.
In 1979, the band was dropped by Columbia and signed with Mercury and released several more albums with middling success. Miami Steve's affiliation had ended and member Billy Rush produced these albums. The band, always affluent in the soul aspect of the Jersey Sound, continued with many personnel changes. At one time, they were produced by legendary producer Nile Rodgers, for the Trash It Up album. Among the musicians playing with the Jukes at one time or another were E-Streeters Patti Scalfia and Garry Tallant, plus the likes of Bobby Bandiera, Richie "La Bamba" Rosenberg, Jon Bon Jovi, and many others, several fronting their own bands as well that played the Shore circuit.
I have caught Southside Johnny playing many times, from Great Adventure in the 1970's to various Shore venues in the 2000's. The band would, towards the end of every summer, play Martell's Tiki Bar in Point Pleasant Beach, and Lake Como's Bar A, which they would do a benefit show for sports radio station WFAN. The band's most recent album, Soultime, was released in 2015.
41. Ron Guerriere
Jersey Connection: Lives in Hackettstown
Years Considered: 1989-1991
Personal Year-End: "State of the Union", #27, 1989; "The Truth", #12, 1990; "Just Like a Dream", #67, 1991.
Ron was a personal friend of mine for a few years, as he was a co-worker at Prudential in Roseland where he worked in the computer room as an operator and supervisor. We became friends around 1984 or so as we relied on him to provide computer outputs that would be used to computer produce insurance policy forms. It was then that he told me he was into music. He had been in and out of several bands but wanted to do the solo thing, as well as to be a strictly a studio musician as he had no desire to play live. In early 1989, he recorded an original song, "State of the Union", which became the "home grown spotlight" for a week on radio station WDHA. The following year, he cut a record on a Texas independent label, MFN Records, "The Truth" and "Just Like a Dream". The record had made a chart of "up-and-coming" songs in the UK. After a move to Snydersville PA, I pretty much fell out of touch with Ron. Since that time, he has had a career in construction and as an engineering consultant at various companies throughout North Jersey, and has moved back to Hackettstown. It is not known if he is still into music.
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LOOKING TO THE CURRENT PLAYLIST, it's more records for ScreenAge, as "Questions" unseats the band's "Looking Back" to take the top spot on this week's SNS 100 playlist. It's the second time the Central Jersey band has succeeded itself at the top spot; on May 23, the band's "Think Again" knocked out their "North Star" out of the top spot. All four songs are from the band's second album DNR. With its four number ones, that album equals the eponymous third album by Fitz and the Tantrums for second most #1 songs from an album, exceed only by the Tantrums' previous album, More Than Just a Dream, which had five chart-toppers. As these songs follow last year's stand-alone single "Blue Eyed Addiction" which was #1 for four weeks (and for all of 2020), that gives the band five consecutive #1 songs. That is one short of the record of six straight chart toppers, by the aforementioned Fitz and the Tantrums. Actually if you count lead singer Emily MacMahon's #1 solo song "Only Us", she actually has six in a row! As "Questions" is the fifth #1 for ScreenAge, that breaks a big logjam of artists with four number ones; only Fitz and the Tantrums (12) and The Black Keys (6) have more.
With the band doing gigs around the state now, there are not current plans on releasing another single or video as of yet, but down the road, I may add "Like Fine Wine". The ascension of "Questions" makes 13 straight weeks that a female-led act has been #1; 11 of them have been from ScreenAge. Female or female-led acts also have 10 of the top 13 this week, with only Modest Mouse's "We Are Between" (7-4), which is currently #2 on Alternative and recently had a six week run at #1 on Triple-A; Cold War Kids' "What You Say" (13-9); and Ian Roberts' Hound of Winter-assisted "So Fine Summertime" (12-10) intruding on the female blitz.
While the top 20 has loosened up a bit from the last several weeks, enabling some songs to finally move up, it's now positions 20 to 40 that are in a logjam, with many bulleted songs event dropping a notch or two; as almost the top half of the chart is very competitive.
JERSEY SWING: As mentioned above, five of the six debuts are from Jersey acts, as the research I have done for my Jersey countdown has revealed new music either just released, or that fell through the cracks recently. A case of the latter are the Vivian Girls, who I had found out reformed back in 2019. I wasn't sure which of their singles from that year's reunion album, Memory to add, so I added both "Something to Do" and "Sick". Both songs are similar, but a change of pace from their 2014 blog #1 "Take it As It Comes". While that song echoes the "girl group" sound of the early 1960's, these two songs seemed to be inspired from the post-grunge genre of the mid and late 1990's. A nice welcome change of pace from a band that should have gotten more notice back in the day. While I'm two years late on these songs, I was three years late on "Take it As It Comes", but with the band back together (sans one member), it'll be interesting what the girls come up with down the road.
Speaking of bands originating from Ridgewood, Real Estate is back with both an EP and single, both entitled "Half A Human". This is a more laid-back effort, along the lines of say, Kurt Vile. Nice, easy and melodic that deserves a lot of airplay. So far, no significant radio airplay as was the case with their last few singles, but no doubt, this will be a top 10 blog hit.
The Haddonfield (South Jersey) based Smash Palace is back with their album 21, and the new single, "Then She Disappeared". The band harkens back to the 1980's and had their song "Living on the Borderline" played on MTV. After years of inactivity, they have been recording and touring the last ten years or so, and garnered blog hits, including the #1 "My Mistake" from 2016. Like their recent stuff, the harmonies a la Crosby Stills Nash & Young are featured prominently. Should do well with repeated listens.
Eddie Testa (or more specifically, the Eddie Testa Band) has been a Jersey Shore fixturer for years, and has that Springsteen/Southside Johnny "Jersey Sound" down really well, but he makes his blog debut with "Livin Lovin Life" which features Super Blue. My friend Elise Farnsworth (and husband John) had caught, and in some cases, performed with Testa recently at venues and festivals in Monmouth County. The Eddie Testa Band released a self-titled album in 2019 and now this single, has Southside Johnny-style horns mixed with a bit of calypso. Just listening to this song (which references the Jersey Shore experience) takes you to Jenks or Martell's Tiki Bar in Point Pleasant. In a summer loaded with songs referencing the season, this comes along a little late, but with the subject matter squarely focusing that region, this should climb the playlist quickly.
There are two non-Jersey acts debuting, one coming off a number one song, the other making their debut. Middle Kids "Questions" has been the only #1 song this summer by an artist not named ScreenAge, and they follow it with "Stacking Chairs". A little more of a chugging beat than their last one, it's still heartfelt, emotional and soulful with a more "wall of sound" than "Questions". Definitely a worthwhile follow-up which should put them back at the top. Melbourne, Australia quintet The Murlocs debut with "Francesca". The band has been around since 2011. The song is harmonica-introed, up-tempo romp, with lead singer Ambrose Kenny-Smith's understated vocals blending in. May click with several listens.
Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist
August 8, 2021
|
This Week |
Last
Week |
ARTIST-Title |
Weeks
on List |
|
1 |
2 |
NUMBER ONE:  Album: DNR |
10 |
|
2 |
1 |
10 |
|
|
3 |
6 |
10 |
|
|
4 |
7 |
11 |
|
|
5 |
3 |
12 |
|
|
6 |
4 |
10 |
|
|
7 |
5 |
15 |
|
|
8 |
11 |
11 |
|
|
9 |
13 |
7 |
|
|
10 |
12 |
11 |
|
|
11 |
15 |
9 |
|
|
12 |
10 |
9 |
|
|
13 |
16 |
10 |
|
|
14 |
9 |
13 |
|
|
15 |
8 |
14 |
|
|
16 |
14 |
13 |
|
|
17 |
18 |
7 |
|
|
18 |
20 |
TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK:  (Single Only) |
5 |
|
19 |
17 |
10 |
|
|
20 |
19 |
8 |
|
|
21 |
21 |
6 |
|
|
22 |
25 |
4 |
|
|
23 |
30 |
MOVER OF THE WEEK:  Album: Promenade Blue |
3 |
|
24 |
24 |
7 |
|
|
25 |
33 |
4 |
|
|
26 |
27 |
6 |
|
|
27 |
23 |
10 |
|
|
28 |
26 |
12 |
|
|
29 |
22 |
8 |
|
|
30 |
28 |
10 |
|
|
31 |
29 |
6 |
|
|
32 |
34 |
9 |
|
|
33 |
35 |
4 |
|
|
34 |
37 |
7 |
|
|
35 |
41 |
6 |
|
|
36 |
45 |
4 |
|
|
37 |
39 |
9 |
|
|
38 |
44 |
5 |
|
|
39 |
51 |
3 |
|
|
40 |
43 |
8 |
|
|
41 |
31 |
12 |
|
|
42 |
53 |
5 |
|
|
43 |
50 |
6 |
|
|
44 |
61 |
4 |
|
|
45 |
32 |
14 |
|
|
46 |
62 |
4 |
|
|
47 |
36 |
11 |
|
|
48 |
67 |
4 |
|
|
49 |
55 |
5 |
|
|
50 |
58 |
5 |
|
|
51 |
54 |
8 |
|
|
52 |
64 |
6 |
|
|
53 |
69 |
3 |
|
|
54 |
47 |
8 |
|
|
55 |
82 |
2 |
|
|
56 |
--- |
TOP DEBUT:  Album: Memory |
1 |
|
57 |
71 |
5 |
|
|
58 |
38 |
19 |
|
|
59 |
40 |
12 |
|
|
60 |
48 |
23 |
|
|
61 |
57 |
7 |
|
|
62 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
63 |
59 |
26 |
|
|
64 |
68 |
13 |
|
|
65 |
72 |
3 |
|
|
66 |
60 |
22 |
|
|
67 |
46 |
13 |
|
|
68 |
52 |
15 |
|
|
69 |
42 |
15 |
|
|
70 |
85 |
5 |
|
|
71 |
94 |
Christina Alessi and the Toll Collectors - Stone Meets the Sea |
2 |
|
72 |
49 |
16 |
|
|
73 |
73 |
6 |
|
|
74 |
76 |
7 |
|
|
75 |
80 |
5 |
|
|
76 |
70 |
15 |
|
|
77 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
78 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
79 |
63 |
17 |
|
|
80 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
81 |
86 |
4 |
|
|
82 |
90 |
3 |
|
|
83 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
84 |
56 |
18 |
|
|
85 |
65 |
13 |
|
|
86 |
88 |
Elle King and Miranda Lambert - Drunk (And I Don'tWant to Go
Home) |
19 |
|
87 |
89 |
6 |
|
|
88 |
91 |
8 |
|
|
89 |
--- |
1 |
|
|
90 |
96 |
2 |
|
|
91 |
92 |
2 |
|
|
92 |
83 |
8 |
|
|
93 |
78 |
Rave Republic X Kevin Krissen and Fablers ft Matt Weiss - Can I
Be the One |
8 |
|
94 |
79 |
Black Coffee ft. Maxine Ashley and Sun El Musician - You Need Me |
26 |
|
95 |
84 |
26 |
|
|
96 |
66 |
14 |
|
|
97 |
98 |
2 |
|
|
98 |
74 |
19 |
|
|
99 |
75 |
21 |
|
|
100 |
100 |
2 |
Tremors:
101. Billie Eilish, "NDA"
|
|
Songs with the greatest increase in
favorite points over the prior week. ●
Songs with
25 or more plays on iTunes/iPods ▲ Songs with 50 or more plays.
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