Back in the 70's, I worked for Epic Records as a secretary. There was ALWAYS music playing out of everyone's office, but on this one particular day, the song that was blasting from down the hall had me running into my boss's office. I don't even remember which song it was, but all I knew was that I wanted to hear it over and over! "YOU HAVE TO SIGN THOSE GUYS UP!" I told him. Laughing, he told me, "We just did!"

That same night, I drove down to Asbury Park with a couple of my bosses and my friend and co-worker Doreen, where we met and had dinner with Southside and the Jukes at a small Italian restaurant before heading on to the Stone Pony, where we would see the band live for the very first time. All I can say is, that night began a period in my life that I will never forget! I not only fell in love with the Jukes' music, but I was fortunate enough to become friends with the band. A friendship that lasted for a very long time! For years I kept track of whatever airplay the Jukes would receive around the country, and would always make sure the band had whatever they needed as far as extra singles or albums.

One day, just before their second album was to be released, my boss approached me and said, "hey, we need liner notes for the back of the Jukes LP, and since you are the biggest Jukes fan that I know, would you like to write them?" WOULD I?!! It took me all of five minutes to have those liner notes in his hand. All I did was to sit down at my typewriter, and write exactly what it was like to be at a Jukes concert! Not only did my liner notes appear on the back of the album cover, but CBS Records actually paid me $125 to write them!!

Back in those days, Miami Steve Van Zandt not only acted as their manager but would also play in the band. I traveled down to the Stone Pony just about every Thursday and Sunday night to hear the Jukes. Also in the band back then was Alan and 'Popeye', and I quickly became friends with Alan's wife, Marianne, and Johnny's wife Betty (they have been divorced a long time now, however). Every now and then I would spend the weekend down the shore at Alan and Marianne's house. There was one weekend that I will never forget. We were all at Johnny's house, and I was sitting in the kitchen drinking coffee with the wives, when all of a sudden I heard Johnny playing the harmonica down in the basement. It was a slow, soulful song and I remember thinking to myself, "Oh my GOD! I'm actually sitting in Johnny's kitchen listening to him playing!"

There are so many wonderful memories of those days that it's hard to remember them all. I spent every single New Year's with the band backstage at the Capital Theatre in Passaic. The band's secretary was a girl named Obie (who was mentioned in every "We're Having A Party".... 'Obie's doing the twist now'... :) It was another New Year's Eve, and the band had just released "Hearts of Stone." I was sitting backstage after the show when Obie approached me. Suddenly it got really quiet in the room as she handed me a small gift wrapped box and told me that it was a gift from the entire band. Inside was a black onyx heart, surrounded in gold with a small diamond on it. I just stood there and cried, because I felt that with all the joy the Jukes had given me over the years, that they had already given me the gift of their music, and their friendship. I still have that 'heart of stone' in my jewelry box, and I will keep it forever as a reminder of those wonderful years!

I wish I had a tally of just how many Jukes concerts I've been to over the years, because back then I never missed one show! I remember sitting backstage and talking to Ronnie Spector, and how Miami Steve used to make us laugh when he would come into the Stone Pony all mad that someone had ripped off yet another one of his license plates off his big convertible (we would always tell him to get a regular plate, because 'MIAMI' was just too tempting to his fans!) In those days, I drove a new black Firebird with t-tops. And MY license plate read.... JUKES 1. Still have those too. :)

One New Year's Eve, Robert Gordon was on the bill with the Jukes. After the show, Johnny wanted to go into NYC to a different club, but didn't have a ride. I don't quite remember how it happened, but I wound up driving into NYC with Johnny's wife and Robert Gordon in my backseat, with Johnny sitting next to me in the front seat. Johnny and Robert Gordon sang all the way into the city! I remember feeling like the luckiest person alive at that moment! What could be better then to be serenaded by two of my favorite artists, right in my car!!!

Back then, I would drive Johnny crazy with my requests. Before each show I would ask him if a certain song was on the play list for that concert. He knew what my favorites were and would always tell me "nope, don't have room for that one tonight! Maybe next time!" Then he would laugh and get on stage, and in the middle of the show I would hear "this one is for SHEILA out there!" and he would play the song he knew I wanted to hear! Those were some of the happiest days of my entire life!

It's been almost 10 years since I've seen or heard the Jukes play in person. I got married, had kids, quit my job, went into a different field altogether, and my entire life changed. One thing that never changed, however, is that I am still a huge Jukes fan! Not too long ago, I saw advertised that they were playing at the St. Ann's feast in Hoboken on Saturday night, and I knew I couldn't miss it!

I brought my 11 year old daughter with me, because she's heard so much about the Jukes but never heard them in person. The band was in the rectory hanging out before the show, and so we went in to say hello. It was so great seeing Johnny and the guys again!! Before they went onstage Johnny came over and took a picture with my daughter and then with me, and then he got on stage and ROCKED HOBOKEN TO IT'S CORE! I stood there with tears in my eyes, because every song they played brought me back to a time in my life that I will never forget! I don't intend on waiting another 10 years to see the Jukes again!! I already have their schedule printed and written on my calendar at work! And who knows? Maybe one day soon I'll get to ask Johnny again, "hey, are you gonna play "This Time Baby's Gone For Good?" :)

Thank you Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. You have made such an impact in my life. I will always be your number 1 fan!

Sheila Cain
Bayonne, NJ