“Grandfather of the New Jersey Sound” Abruptly Retires: Southside Johnny Cancels Annual NYE Show, Cites “Ongoing Health Issues”

While Southside Johnny didn’t step into the spotlight until the 1970s, he grew up in a home surrounded by music. With both his mother and father fans of blues and jazz, that love eventually transferred to Johnny. And in the late 1970s, the singer released his debut album with I Don’t Want To Go Home. Over the following decades, Johnny released several albums and gained praise from stars like Jon Bon Jovi. While performing for over five decades, Johnny recently announced he was retiring from touring. 

Videos by American Songwriter

For fans of Johnny, the news of his retirement came as a shock as the singer was scheduled to perform several times in 2025. He was even slated to perform on New Year’s Eve at the Count Basie Center in New Jersey. Releasing a statement on Facebook, the singer wrote, “After a hugely successful 50-year run with his band Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, touring non-stop throughout the U.S and overseas, ‘Southside Johnny’ Lyon has made the decision to retire from touring in order to manage ongoing health issues.”

[RELATED: Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes: The Fever/The Remastered Epic Recordings]

Fans Take A Moment To Thank Southside Johnny

Releasing their own statement, the Count Basie Center wrote, “Our show on New Year’s Eve at the Count Basie Center will unfortunately be canceled. Tickets will be refunded via original points of purchase. 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!”

As for the fans, many took a moment to thank Johnny for his years of entertainment and unique sound. “Johnny, thank you for the 500 shows from watching it from the audience to the side of stage/on stage. Lessons learned and songs that will always, always reverberate. Take good care of your health.” Another person added, “What an absolutely f**king wonderful run it was! Take care of yourself! We’ll see you on a stage whenever the mood strikes you! To a wonderful 50 years!”

(Photo by Bobby Bank/Getty Images)