South Plainfield’s Jem Records has re-released ‘Under The Influence Of Christmas’ by The Grip Weeds with guests Jim Babjek and Pat Dinizio [1955-2017] of The Smithereens as guests. The 11 tracks have psychedelic flair amid sumptuous harmony.

Jessie Wagner asks that musical question, “Are You Scared” in her new single featuring Scott Martin. The back-up Disciple of Soul singer has also sung on stages with Lenny Kravitz, Chic and Duran Duran besides fronting her own Army of the Underdog.

Watch Stevie Van Zandt on ‘60 Minutes’ November 19, 2023

They called him Funky. George Brown started Kool & The Gang in 1964 Jersey City with brothers Ronald and Robert “Kool” Bell and neighborhood friends Spike Mickens, Dee Tee Thomas, Ricky Westfield and Charles Smith, as a jazz-pop-funk-soul collective. By the time of their 1969 self-titled debut album, they were opening shows for Richard Pryor and Bill Cosby. Brown passed away November 16 in Los Angeles at the age of 74.

Bruce Springsteen has been nominated for a Grammy Award for the 51st time. (He’s won 20.) His album ‘Only The Strong Survive’ will compete as “Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album” against ‘Sondheim Unplugged (The NYC Sessions)’ by Various Artists, ‘Holidays Around The World’ by Pentatonix, ‘Bewitched’ by Lauley, ‘Pieces Of Treasure’ by Rickie Lee Jones and ‘To Steve With Love: Liz Calloway Celebrates Sondheim.’

The Grammy people (NARAS) has named one of our own, Jon Bon Jovi, as the 2024 MusiCares Person Of The Year. The gala event—with artists interpreting his songs—takes place at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 2 before the February 4 Grammys.

With the release of Marco Benevento’s ‘Barn Burner: Live At Levon’s’ (on the Royal Potato Family label), the Livingston-born singer-songwriter-keyboardist takes a giant career leap forward. The album won’t be available until March 29 but you can taste some here.

He stands 7’1 and weighs 325 pounds. Born in Newark 51 years ago, he’s known as Diesel and he’ll be headlining the second night of Tahoe Live on December 16 at Palisades Tahoe, located near Lake Tahoe in California. Long known as one of America’s premier ski resorts, the backdrop to this event is the perfect complement to what promises to be a psychedelic-electronic dance party for the ages.

Metal fans of Descendents, Dropkick Murphys, Cannibal Corpse, Bad Religion, The Misfits and others can now buy their pup heavy metal collars (or you might want to get one for yourself).

American treasure Bettye LaVette, who resides in Essex County, has been nominated for the seventh time in her illustrious career for a Grammy Award in honor of her current ‘LaVette!’ masterpiece.

In its 22-year fight against Parkinson’s Disease and related illnesses, the Light of Day Foundation has raised money and awareness into funding research for possible cures, plus improved treatments and support for patients and their families. From its inaugural benefit show in Asbury Park to 70+ shows in 13 countries, almost six million dollars has been raised thus far.

The Bob Woodruff Foundation’s annual “Stand Up For Heroes” benefit usually features Bruce Springsteen but this year, he was to be in Canada with the E Street crew until an ulcer forced him off the road. Yet there he was, on November 6, at David Geffen Hall within Lincoln Center in New York City, onstage solo for acoustic versions of “Dancing In The Dark,” “Working On The Highway,” “The Power Of Prayer” and “Addicted To Romance.”

How could you have a Marianne Faithfull tribute album without Tammy Faye Starlite? The Hoboken hottie, already with a Faithfull alt-cabaret show of her own, duets with Barry Reynolds on “The Ballad Of Lucy Jordan.” ‘The Faithful: A Tribute To Marianne Faithful’ (In The Q Records)—due December 8—is a 19-track 25-artist double-album with Tracy Bonham, Josie Cotton, Cat Power & Iggy Pop, Shirley Manson of Garbage with Peaches, Bush Tetras, Lydia Lunch and others covering songs Faithful recorded between 1964 and 2004.

Dennis P. Laverty—creator of such indie documentaries on Southside Johnny, Clarence Clemons and John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band—has finished a three-hour doc on Bobby Bandiera with concert footage, interviews, photo stills and clips from the ‘Aquarian Weekly’ and other regional newspapers

Bob Dylan’s “Rough and Rowdy Ways” tour will have the 82-year old legend performing at NJ PAC downtown Newark November 20 and 21. If the set list for Chicago last month is any indication, expect plenty of surprises.

Tony Orlando was honored October 29 at NJ PAC in Newark with fellow inductees singer-songwriter Patti Scialfa (Deal) and producer-writer-director David Chase (The Sopranos) of Clifton and North Caldwell, in the entertainment category. New York Giant running back Tiki Barber (Florham Park) and WNBA all-star Sue Wicks, a Rutgers alum, were also inducted, in the sports category.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of ‘The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle,’ Bruce Springsteen took to the podium at the Bruce Springsteen Archive & Center for American Music, housed within Monmouth University in West Long Branch, and looked back on the album. Read here what he said.

Jon Bon Jovi has joined a growing list of artists donating personal artifacts in support of Raven Drum Foundation’s third annual online “12 Drummers Drumming” charity auction. Co-Founded by Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen to benefit veterans, first-responders and trauma survivors, over $120,000 has been raised so far.

‘Mixy’ is the second effort of Paterson singer-songwriter Jalisa Rey (she’s since left her Passaic County home for the glitz of Los Angeles). The seven-tracks—produced by Pagani and JulesTheWulf—are filled with regret, lust and unfiltered emotion.

How many people know that today, Bon Jovi and wife Dorothea operate three non-profit restaurants with no prices on the menu. The JBJ Soul Kitchen Community Restaurants features a pay-what-you-can premise that has been helping people in Red Bank, Toms River and Newark for years.