Southside Johnny is home and doing 'fine' after Stone Pony health scare Saturday night
Southside Johnny is doing fine after leaving Stone Pony stage
Asbury Park Press
Jersey Shore music legend Southside Johnny Lyon is home in Ocean Grove and “fine” after a health scare at the Stone Pony on Saturday, Feb. 17.
Lyon, 75, exited the stage an hour into the show and didn't return. He was taken to the hospital and treated for dehydration, said band spokesman James Sliman the morning after the show.
“He's now resting at home, but is fine,” said Sliman via email.
The show, the second of back-to-back concerts, was part of the Stone Pony's 50th anniversary celebration. The landmark Asbury Park club opened on Feb. 8, 1974, and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes were the Pony's first house band.
During the show, Lyon turned to his right and walked off, knocking a microphone to the ground after he and the Asbury Jukes performed “You Mean So Much to Me.”
“I'm not feeling so good,” said Lyon, after the powerful song rendition. “I'm doing the best I can, but ...”
Band members said that Lyon was OK at the close of the show.
More:Not feeling so well, Southside Johnny leaves Stone Pony stage and goes to hospital
“Southside's OK — he's feeling under the weather,” said Jukes keyboardist Jeff Kazee from the stage. “He didn't want to leave.”
Guest guitarist Bobby Bandiera, a former Jukes member, and Kazee, a current Jukes member, handled most of the vocal duties after Lyon left.
Bandiera had come on stage unannounced while Lyon was still on stage.
Fans were concerned after the show.
“Praying for Johnny!!!” commented a fan on the Facebook group Jukebox: Southside Johnny Fanzine.
“Let him know we are all praying for him and with him in Spirit! (heart emoji),” commented another.
Upcoming shows include March 1 and 2 at City Winery in New York City, and June 29 on the beach in Seaside Heights with the Rascals.
Visit www.southsidejohnny.com for more information.
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