In 1976 many music fans were starved for more music like that of the new-found musical hero of that time, Bruce Springsteen.  Springsteen took the musical world by storm in 1975 with the release of his seminal Born To Run album and live shows.  Unfortunately his subsequent recordings would be put on hold until 1978 because of legal wranglings between Springsteen and his former manager.  So in ’76 the aficionados were desperate for more sounds from the Jersey Shore.  Fortunately, Springsteen’s pal Southside Johnny (& the Asbury Jukes) were there to help fill the void.  E-Street Band member Miami Steve Van Zandt produced and Springsteen contributed a couple songs to Southside’s first album, I Don’t Want To Go Home.  While Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes weren’t going to match the artistry of Springsteen, I Don’t Want To Go Home was a thoroughly enjoyable album, and one cut on it stood out in particular:  Springsteen’s The Fever.  While Springsteen had used this great song as a promotional demo and played it live, he did not release his own version formally until 1999.  Regardless, we prefer the Southside Johnny version, which you can listen to below.  The arrangement and playing are fantastic, and when Southside sings “you’re my sun in the morning and my moon at night” you truly FEEL it.

Afterwards, check out a live performance of the song captured in 1978 at a Cleveland club featuring Southside, Springsteen, Miami Steve Van Zandt and other E Street Band members.  It’s a thrilling performance. But wait for the 7:15 mark when Springsteen, in a singing dual with Southside, let’s loose with some vivid, otherworldly vocals.  Simply wailing.