Southside Johnny Lyon, legendary frontman of Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, has announced his immediate retirement from touring following ongoing health issues.
On Dec. 14, he left the stage midway through the Asbury Jukes’ show at the Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia. The show was completed without Johnny, who did not return. The 76-year-old was “exhausted” when he left the stage, said a representative.
Known as the “grandfather of the New Jersey sound,” Southside Johnny was scheduled to perform at the Count Basie Center in Red Bank, New Jersey, on New Year’s Eve, as well as several other dates in 2025. However, those performances have now been canceled.
Asbury Jukes lead guitarist Glenn Alexander wrote on his Facebook page:
I do hope that Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes will do something, some final show or shows down the road, but it does seem like this could be the final chapter to a iconic, historical, ground-breaking New Jersey rock group. It has indeed been my great honor, privilege and pleasure to have been a member of Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes for the past 15 years. I have gotten to travel all over the world, see so many incredible things and meet so many amazing people – all because of my work with Southside Johnny. It’s been one hell of a ride.
He is a very unique, one-of-a-kind human being and performer of which I hold in the highest regard on all levels. I consider myself so very fortunate to have had this opportunity to be a Juke, to play this music and get to work with Southside and the many talented Juke musicians past and present. Thank you John Lyon!!! I wish nothing but the best for you now and always. Love you!
A tribute from the Basie Center’s Facebook page read, “Johnny Lyon and the Asbury Jukes are an integral part of the Basie Center’s history and the history of music here at the Jersey Shore. While we’re sad we won’t be seeing them this New Year’s Eve, everyone at the Count Basie Center is forever grateful for the hundreds of moments that he and his bandmates have created on our stages. We love you, Johnny!”