Bobby Bandiera

Robert Bandiera
Bandiera performing with Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes, Lake Como, New Jersey, 2008
Background information
Birth name Robert Bandiera
Born (1953-10-19) October 19, 1953
Genres Rock, blues
Occupation(s) Musician
Instruments Vocals, guitar, mandolin, bass guitar, ganjo
Years active 1969–present
Associated acts Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes
Website bobbandiera.com

Robert "Bobby" Bandiera (born October 26, 1953) is an American rock guitarist, singer and songwriter from New Jersey. Bandiera played rhythm guitar for Bon Jovi in live performances from 2005 until 2015[1][2] and was lead guitarist for Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. Bandiera and his band (The Bobby Bandiera Band) have backed Bruce Springsteen at benefit concerts.[2][3][4]

Biography

Bandiera began playing in clubs over 45 years ago at the age of 16.[2] He was originally in a band called Holme from Orange, New Jersey.[5] They debuted in 1970, and were the house band for years at Dodd's in Orange, New Jersey and D'Jais in Belmar, New Jersey, where Bandiera still makes occasional appearances.[5]

Bobby Bandiera playing with Holme at Art Stock's Royal Manor South in Wall, NJ in 1978

In the early 1980s, Bandiera recorded a series of songs with Paul Czekaj and John "Otto" De Gennaro, With Bobby playing lead guitar and singing. His brother, Frank, accompanied them on drums on "Rock and Roll Boy" . The style of guitar he played on these songs relates more toward a country western influence, said to have come from his mother. The songs were not released until 2009, on an album titled "The Saved Recordings" by Paul Czekaj. The listing of the tracks Bandiera was featured on is: "I Want You Back Again," "Rock and Roll Boy," "It Won't Happen Again," and "In The Middle of the Night". "In The Middle of the Night" was written by John "Otto" De Gennaro and Paul Czekaj .

A long-time presence on the Jersey Shore,[6] Bandiera was associated with major acts but major success and commercial breakthrough eluded him. Bandiera was considered for the guitarist position in the E Street Band for the Born in the U.S.A. Tour in 1984 when Steve Van Zandt left the band, but this position went to Nils Lofgren.[7][8] In 1985, Bandiera replaced Billy Rush as guitarist for Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes, but later left the band.[2][3] In the mid-1990s, Bandiera and Southside Johnny made a number of shows as a duo. He has also played with Dave Edmunds,[9] and has his own band, the Bob Bandiera Band, which performs regularly in the New Jersey area when Bobby is not on tour. At an April 2017 show at the Count Basie Theater in Red Bank, Bandiera took repeated shots at a competing concert that night in Asbury Park headlined by Steven Van Zandt: "I wonder what those clowns are singing down the street?" He then wondered what those performers were saying about him, before answering his own question: "Nothing." Bandier has had an active solo career, releasing three solo albums and often playing during Springsteen's Asbury Park holiday shows of the early 2000s.[6] His most famous song is "C'mon Caroline" which he co-wrote with Bob Burger, another very talented Jersey shore musician. He also does studio musician work and has appeared on albums by Cyndi Lauper, Patti Scalfa and others.

In 2003, Bandiera was toured with Bon Jovi during This Left Feels Right Live session. From 2005 until 2015, Bandiera played rhythm guitar in Bon Jovi's live performances.[7] According to Jon Bon Jovi, he is on 'permanent loan' (having not played with the Jukes since 2010) to the band from Southside Johnny.[1][2] Bandiera and his band (The Bobby Bandiera Band) have backed Bruce Springsteen at benefit concerts.[2][3][4]

Bandiera performing in Amsterdam in 2006

Discography

Albums

  • Bandiera · (Released 1991)
  • Dog Loves You · (Released 1995)
  • Is My Father There · (Released 2005)

References

  1. 1 2 Pricci, Jennifer L. (August 30, 2005). "Bobby Bandiera: "Undeniably And Undoubtedly" The Last Man Standing". Chorus and Verse. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 DeMasters, Karen (July 15, 2001). "Playing Lead Guitar for Icons of New Jersey Rock 'n' Roll". New York Times. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 Greene, Andy (May 1, 2007). "E-Street Band Reunion Looks Likely". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
  4. 1 2 Staff (October 23, 2011). "Bruce Springsteen Performs at Stone Pony 25-song set Saturday was a private benefit for Boston College". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
  5. 1 2 Mikle, Jean (August 22, 2011). "Bobby Bandiera to Join Holme Tonight". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
  6. 1 2 Gervino, Tony (December 10, 2001). "Holiday Greetings from Asbury Park. Springsteen gets initiate in New Jersey". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
  7. 1 2 Mikle, Jean (August 5, 2011). "Bobby Bandiera, Back at The Columns". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  8. ↑ Fricke, David (January 21, 2009). "The Band on Bruce: Their Springsteen A candid look at the legend from his "greatest friends" - the E Street Band". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
  9. ↑ Boehm, Mike (October 19, 1994). "A Do-It-Yourself Musician : Studio Wizard Dave Edmunds Prefers to Rock on His Own--at Home". LA Times. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
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