The Upstage Club

Last updated

The Upstage Club
080171-upstage-advert-snc.jpg
A June 1969 flyer promoting an appearance of Steven Van Zandt at The Upstage Club
The Upstage Club
Location700 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park, New Jersey, U.S.
OwnerTom and Margaret Potter
Type Music venue, Coffeehouse, Afterhours club
Genre(s) Blues, blues rock, rhythm and blues, singer-songwriters, rock, folk, heavy metal
Opened1968
Closed1971

The Upstage Club was a legendary coffee shop, music venue, and afterhours club in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The club is featured in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. [1] Influential musicians such as Bruce Springsteen, Bill Chinnock, Southside Johnny (John Lyon), David Sancious, Little Steven Van Zandt, Garry Tallent, Vini Lopez, and Danny Federici first honed their live performance skills at the club. [2] [3] It was where the Asbury Jukes, [1] Steel Mill, and the Blackberry Blues Band were formed. [4]

Contents

History

A performance and the audience at The Upstage Club Upstage-smf1v2.jpg
A performance and the audience at The Upstage Club

Although Asbury Park, New Jersey, is currently associated with the sounds of rock and roll from the 1960s and 1970s, its music history did not begin or end there. Since the turn of the century, its music community has included John Philip Sousa, Artie Shaw, and various Broadway theater lyricists and contemporary artists. In its heyday, there were at least 10 elegant supper clubs and jazz joints lining Springwood Avenue. [5]

The Upstage Club was opened by Tom and Margaret Potter in 1968 at Cookman Avenue & Bond Street, Asbury Park, New Jersey, above a Thom McAn shoe store. The venue predated longstanding music venues such as The Stone Pony and The Saint. [6] When it opened, the Green Mermaid Café (a coffee shop) was on the second floor and a music room was on the third floor. Potter insisted that the bands played original music, not cover songs. The music room was decked out with fluorescent paintings and black lighting. The club was alcohol-free, and musicians would jam there all night until around 5 am. [6] [1]

In his 2006 book about the Asbury Park music scene, Beyond the Palace, Gary Wien wrote, "This is where it all began...Musicians gathered each night at a club on the corner of Cookman Avenue and Bond Street that was set on top of a Thom McAn shoe store. The Upstage brought the sights of San Francisco psychedelia and the sounds of Greenwich Village together in an endless array of all night jam sessions, which attracted the best young musicians in the area." [7] [8]

In 1970, shortly after the Club opened, riots tore through Asbury Park, damaging the musically rich Springwood Avenue area, and drug use increased. According to Don Stine, president of the Asbury Park Historical Society, there was an integration of races, cultures, and musical styles at the Upstage. [6] Up to that point in Asbury's history, Black bands did not play the boardwalk clubs, and it was rare for white musicians to perform in the African-American music scene of Springwood Avenue on the West Side. Garry Tallent, future E Street Band bassist, was an exception. In 1969, Clarence Clemons joined Norman Seldin's Joyful Noyze, and eventually, musicians of all colors were jamming at the Upstage. [6] The Upstage was a refuge from the chaos. A sign on the door read, "Leave your anger and hate outside with your booze and drugs." [1]

The Upstage Club has been said to have helped develop the Jersey Shore sound or "Asbury Sound," [3] though musicians and others closely involved with the regional music scene object to the concept and see each band as having a personality and style of their own. [9] According to Richie "La Bamba" Rosenberg, "If the sound that developed at the Shore in the 70s was unique, it was because you could play traditional blues and rock-and-roll. At the same time, audiences were open to experimentation. We mingled everybody's' styles." [10] [9] [11]

The musicians frequenting the Upstage Club formed several influential bands. In the late 1960s, Bruce Springsteen played at the Upstage Club with John Lyon, Van Zandt, Garry Tallent, Danny Federici, David Sancious, and Vini Lopez. [1] The Asbury Jukes', the E Street Band's, and the Hubcap's roots extend to The Upstage Club. Richie "La Bamba" Rosenberg said "When we started, it was usually me convincing a club owner we had a band that played pop tunes...He'd hire us, and then I'd run to the Upstage club in Asbury Park and whoever was there at the time became the band. We used to call it 'the band of the week." Rosenberg said that the Hubcaps consisted mostly of Jukes who were not busy when he was recruiting for the Hubcaps. [10] Van Zandt Garry Tallent, Danny Federici, Vini Lopez and David Sancious, all later joined Springsteen in the E Street Band. [12] [10]

The Upstage Club closed in 1971. In 2014, the site of the former Upstage Club was listed for sale for $1.8 million, which included a $750,000 New Jersey liquor license. [1]

Media

A documentary about the club called "Just Before the Dawn" that tells the story of The Upstage Club was released on April 21, 2017, during the Asbury Park Music & Film Festival. [2] The film was originally going to focus solely on the Upstage Club but its scope was later expanded to include the societal context in which the club was created, and how the music community helped Asbury Park survive. [6] The film was directed by Tom Jones. It reflects on Asbury Park during the 1970s, the impact of race riots, and the emergence of its unique sound. The film features interviews with musicians who played during the era of the Upstage. In the film, Southside Johnny says, "I learned almost everything I know about performing and singing from those three years, two and a half years, at the Upstage because it was like our college." [3] [2] There is also a book about The Upstage Club by Carrie Potter-Devening entitled, "For Music's Sake. Asbury Park's Upstage Club and Green Mermaid Cafe. The Untold Stories", whilst Albee Tellone's "Upstage, Springsteen and Me" gives substantial insights into life in the club. [8] [4] [13]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.</i> 1973 studio album by Bruce Springsteen

Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. is the debut studio album by the American singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen. It was produced from June through October 1972 by Mike Appel and Jim Cretecos at the budget-priced 914 Sound Studios. The album was released January 5, 1973, by Columbia Records to average sales but a positive critical reception.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danny Federici</span> American musician (1950–2008)

Daniel Paul Federici was an American musician, best known as a founding member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, where he was its organist, accordionist and glockenspiel player. Federici appeared on ten of Springsteen's studio albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garry Tallent</span> Musical artist

Garry Wayne Tallent, sometimes billed as Garry W. Tallent, is an American musician and record producer, best known for being bass player and founding member of the E Street Band, Bruce Springsteen's primary backing band since 1972. As of 2023, Tallent is the only remaining original member of the E Street Band besides Springsteen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southside Johnny</span> Musical artist

John Lyon, known professionally as Southside Johnny, is an American singer-songwriter who usually fronts his band Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.

Vincent Lopez, nicknamed Mad Dog, is an American drummer. Between 1968 and 1974 Lopez backed Bruce Springsteen in several bands, including Steel Mill and the E Street Band. He also played on Springsteen's first two albums, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. and The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle. Both during and after his time with the E Street Band, Lopez played drums with numerous Jersey Shore bands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">E Street Band</span> Bruce Springsteens backing band

The E Street Band is an American rock band that has been the primary backing band for rock musician Bruce Springsteen since 1972. In 2014, the E Street Band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. For the bulk of Springsteen's recording and performing career, the band included guitarists Steven Van Zandt, Nils Lofgren, and Patti Scialfa, keyboardists Danny Federici and Roy Bittan, bassist Garry Tallent, drummer Max Weinberg, and saxophonist Clarence Clemons.

David Sancious is an American musician. He was an early member of Bruce Springsteen's backing group, the E Street Band, and contributed to the first three Springsteen albums, and again on Human Touch (1992), Tracks (1998), and Western Stars (2019). Sancious is a multi-instrumentalist but is best known as a keyboard player and guitarist. He left the E Street Band in 1974 to form his own band, Tone, and released several albums. He subsequently became a popular session and touring musician, most notably for Stanley Clarke, Narada Michael Walden, Zucchero Fornaciari, Eric Clapton, Peter Gabriel, Jack Bruce, and Sting among many others. In 2014, Sancious was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the E Street Band.

The Miami Horns are an American horn section best known for touring and recording with Southside Johnny, Bruce Springsteen, Little Steven and The Max Weinberg 7. They have also toured, performed or recorded with, among others, Diana Ross, Gary U.S. Bonds, Robert Cray, Bon Jovi, Cissy Houston, Joe Cocker, Dave Edmunds, Darlene Love, The Allman Brothers Band, Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow and Ricky Martin. As individuals, the various members have also worked with the likes of Aerosmith, David Bowie, Duran Duran, Power Station, Graham Parker, and They Might Be Giants.

Ernest Carter is an American drummer. He has toured and recorded with, among others, Bruce Springsteen, David Sancious, Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes and Paul Butterfield. During his time with Springsteen, he played the drums on the song "Born to Run".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes</span> American musical group

Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes are an American musical group from the Jersey Shore led by Southside Johnny. They have been recording albums since 1976 and are closely associated with Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band. They have recorded or performed several Springsteen songs, including "The Fever" (1973) and "Fade Away" (1980). Springsteen has also performed with the band on several occasions. In 1991, Springsteen and the E Street band appeared on Southside Johnny's Better Days album.

Delores Holmes was an American soul singer. She was best known for her years as backup singer for the Bruce Springsteen Band during 1969 to 1972, the last grouping before the E Street Band. The Bruce Springsteen Band included David Sancious, Vini Lopez, Garry Tallent and Steven Van Zandt, among others.

Steel Mill was an early Bruce Springsteen band. Other members of the band included three future members of the E Street Band, Vini Lopez, Danny Federici, and Steve Van Zandt. As well as playing on the Jersey Shore, Steel Mill also played regularly in Richmond, Virginia and played gigs in California and a festival in Nashville, Tennessee. They opened for acts such as Chicago, Boz Scaggs, Grand Funk Railroad, Roy Orbison, Ike & Tina Turner, and Black Sabbath. Since 2004 Vini Lopez has led Steel Mill Retro which has performed and recorded original Springsteen songs from the Steel Mill era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vinnie Roslin</span> Musical artist

Vinnie Roslin (1946-2012) was an American bassist who was an original member of Steel Mill, an early Bruce Springsteen band. Other members of band included three future members of the E Street Band - Vini Lopez, Danny Federici and Steve Van Zandt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Fever (Bruce Springsteen song)</span> 1973 song performed by Bruce Springsteen

"The Fever" is a song written and recorded by Bruce Springsteen in 1973. The song would not see formal release until the 1999 compilation 18 Tracks.

William Chinnock, also referred to as Bill Chinnock or Billy Chinnock, was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. Born in Newark, New Jersey, Chinnock grew up in the nearby Essex County communities of East Orange and Millburn. He was a prominent member of the Jersey Shore music scene during the late 1960s, leading bands that included future members of the E Street Band.

"It's Hard to Be a Saint in the City" is a song written and performed by Bruce Springsteen on his debut album Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. in 1973. The song talks about a young man growing up on the streets of a city trying to stay good and do what he believes is right. It has been covered by David Bowie. John Sayles included this song in a high school lunchroom scene of his movie Baby It's You.

"Lost in the Flood" is a song by Bruce Springsteen. It was released on his debut album, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. in 1973.

"For You" is a song written and recorded by Bruce Springsteen in 1972 for his debut album Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J., released in 1973. It was later included on the compilation album The Essential Bruce Springsteen. The song has been covered by Manfred Mann's Earth Band, The Format, and Greg Kihn.

<i>Dedication</i> (Gary U.S. Bonds album) 1981 studio album by Gary U.S. Bonds

Dedication is a 1981 album by American singer Gary U.S. Bonds.

<i>Chapter and Verse</i> (Bruce Springsteen album) 2016 compilation album by Bruce Springsteen

Chapter and Verse is a compilation album by Bruce Springsteen that was released on September 23, 2016. The album is a companion piece to Springsteen's 500-plus-page autobiography, Born to Run, which was released four days later. The career-spanning album features eighteen songs handpicked by Springsteen, five of which were previously unreleased. The album contains Springsteen's earliest recording from 1966 and late '60s/early '70s songs from his tenure in the Castiles, Steel Mill, and the Bruce Springsteen Band, along with his first 1972 demos for Columbia Records and songs from his studio albums from 1973 until 2012.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 De Poto, T. (January 26, 2014). "Springsteen's proving grounds in Asbury Park, the Upstage Club, is for sale for 1.8 million. The Star-Ledger. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 Staff (March 16, 2017). "Just Before the Dawn" Documentary Tells The Story of The Upstage Club. New Jersey Stage Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 Jordan, C. (March 22, 2017). "How music saved Asbury Park: Major film to debut at #APMFF." USA Today. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  4. 1 2 Potter-Devening, C. (2011). For Music's Sake. Asbury Park's Upstage Club and Green Mermaid Cafe. New York: Authorhouse.
  5. ↑ DeMasters, K. (August 19, 2001). A Revival, Musically at Least, Sparks Asbury Park.. New York Times. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Jordan, C. (May 1, 2005). "Springsteen legacy: APMFF Upstage film explores 1970 Asbury Park." Asbury Park Press. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  7. ↑ Rothenberg, D. & G. Wien (2006). Beyond the Palace. Bloomington, IN: Trafford Publishing.
  8. 1 2 Angermiller, M. A. (April 22, 2017). "Watch Bruce Springsteen Perform at Asbury Park Music Festival in New Jersey." Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  9. 1 2 Wien, G. (nd). "Stone Pony and the Asbury Sound." New Jersey Stage . Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  10. 1 2 3 Demasters, K. (May 30, 1999). "The Jersey Shore Sound Pays a Visit to the City." New York Times. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  11. ↑ Jeffreys, A. (July 18, 1976). "Asbury park and the New Rock Music." New York Times. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  12. ↑ Cahillaine, K. (May 1, 2005). "Two Guys Left Behind in the E Street Shuffle." New York Times. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  13. ↑ Tellone, Albee. Upstage, Springsteen and Me. Kindle Edition. 2012

40°12′56″N74°00′44″W / 40.215516°N 74.012357°W / 40.215516; -74.012357

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.