I have been a Jukes follower since before there were Jukes! I grew up in Navesink, New Jersey. On Sunday nights in 1973-74 we used to wander down to Sea Bright to take-in the Blackberry Blues Band. I don't quite remember the name of the bar, but it was a short crawl from Millie's. Miami Steve was playing guitar and "other friends" would stop by to visit and play. With the drinking age at 18 and driver's licenses without pictures, we could get in most of the time.

When the Jukes were born, the opportunities to follow the band were numerous, from weeknights at the Driftwood Beach Club in Sea Bright to the more glorious nights at the Pony....also mixing in some Cats and Shakes.

One of the best Jukes memories was at the Carlton Theater. Southside had taken ill after several nights at the Bottom Line. Never fear, the show must go on. With Southside on the sidelines, the Jukes, joined by Ronnie Spector, Gary U.S. Bonds, Miami Steve and this "Bruce guy" (in a Hawaiian shirt) rocked the house as "The Asbury Park Allstars." It is and was amazing the friendship these folks all shared in their music. It really showed and was appreciated.

Long story short, I saw the Jukes too many times to count through my college and post-college days. They were the best bar band I have ever seen and in my opinion held their own with anyone; from the opening act for the Kinks at the Capital to headliners (they were to me anyway) at the big outdoor show at Freehold Raceway.

Well almost 30 years later (I moved to Florida in 1985) I am getting a chance to "go back in time." I missed the show last year at Jannus Landing in St. Petersburg, but I have had this year's show on the calendar since March. Can't wait to give my new girlfriend a Jukes evening!

"Don't it Make You Wanna Go Home!!!"
John Alonso