Southside Johnny back for Light of Day
It’s going to be a Light of Day return trip for New Jersey legend Southside Johnny.
One of the pivotal artists of the ‘Jersey Sound’ will headline all four Light of Day Canada benefit shows in Ontario, including the Seneca Queen Theatre in Niagara Falls April 15. Southside Johnny and backing band The Asbury Jukes last headlined in 2012.
For Light of Day Canada president David Rotella, who started the Canadian shows 11 years ago in Niagara Falls, it’s a thrill getting one of his childhood icons back on stage.
“I remember going backstage and meeting Southside at Light of Day Niagara 6 and being starstruck,” he says. “Having been a fan since I was 12, it was a surreal experience having one of my musical heroes play our shows.
“Having him back a second time and doing all four cities is quite an honour for all of us, and we know that our LOD Canada faithful are in for a great time.”
The Niagara Falls show will be the last off our Light of Day Canada shows which include Stages Nightclub in Kingston April 12, Norma Jean’s in London April 13 and Adelaide Hall in Toronto April 14.
Southside Johnny, real name John Lyon, emerged from the Jersey Shore scene shortly after Bruce Springsteen in the mid ’70s, recording a trio of classic albums capped by 1978’s Hearts of Stone. He has released 15 albums since, and though he didn’t follow Springsteen’s route to superstardom, his stature has grown over decades.
He’ll be joined by Light of Day regulars Joe D’Urso, Joe Grushecky and Miss Emily – with former Tragically Hip members Rob Baker and Gord Sinclair – for the Niagara Falls show.
For Rotella, the owner of Danima Creative Group in Niagara Falls, simply getting any Light of Day concert this past year has been a chore. He was forced to cancel the annual fundraiser for Parkinson’s research in November when a headliner couldn’t be found in time. He figured moving it to April — Parkinson’s Awareness Month — would be easier, but it was still a tough go.
“I don’t know if people understand what goes into trying to find a headliner, especially since we’ve kind of raised the bar over the last three or four years,” he says. “It’s not easy dealing with agents, their touring schedules, recording schedules.
“We probably had probably five acts we thought we had, and at the last minute something changed and we were back to the drawing board.”
Blue Rodeo and Steve Earle have headlined the past two shows in 2015 and 2016. Other performers have included John Cafferty and Gary U.S. Bonds.
The show mirrors the annual Light of Day fundraising event in New Jersey. Bruce Springsteen played the first one in 2000 and has made numerous appearances since. The shows have raised more than $4.5 million for Parkinson’s research.
Rotella, a huge Springsteen fan and supporter of the cause, started the Canadian version in 2007, eventually expanding it to include other Ontario cities. The 2016 shows with Steve Earle raised more than $75,000.
Tickets for the Niagara Falls show ($50 to $75) go on sale Feb. 6 at www.lightofdaycanada.com