The Stone Pony: Fans know your nickname Boccigalupe ("off-centered, a little crazy") was bestowed by Bruce Springsteen and Little Steven. Is there a story about the first time that nickname was used, or a particular event that caused Bruce and Little Steven to decide that you were kind of nuts?

Boccigalupe: Yes. We used to play softball on Sundays with other bands and teams, I forgot the exact reason but it had to do with looking fun to offset the other team, because they were good. So, I showed up at a game dressed in tweed green knickers, a green laddy shirt, red sox, a red hat with blue knee sox. Looking funny as hell. [That], and I guess doing flips over the B-3 organ helped get me that name. The actual meaning is "Kiss the Wolf" or crazy because you would have to be crazy to kiss a wolf.

The Stone Pony: Long-time fans of the Asbury scene, might remember you as part of the legendary band Cahoots. For people that might not be aware of this part of your past, can you share a little about who was involved in Cahoots and a brief history of that grouping?

B: Cahoots - that was John Luraschi, Steve Schreager, Mike Scalifa, Tommy LaBella, George Theiss, John Oser and me. During those years that was the climb of Asbury Park, it was the creation of the "Asbury Sound" which was Bruce, Southside, The Shakes and Cahoots. To this day people are still trying to get that sound.

The Stone Pony: If you wouldn't mind, share one more piece of Asbury history: fans of this scene often hear about the Upstage Coffee House, and the musicians that cut their teeth in that famous venue. Can you describe a little about what it was like to hang around the Upstage in the 1970s and who were some of the people that you got to know around that scene.

B: Upstage was created by Margaret & Tom Potter in an effort to give kids and musicians a place to play their music and meet, it was sort of a YMCA for musicians. You would get to the club, (NO ALCOHOL) and there would be musicians from all over itching to play with each other and meet others and start bands. It was great. Among some of the musicians that formed that special bond were Vini Lopez, Danny Federici, David Sancious, Boom Carter, John Luraschi, John Lyons, Bruce, Steve Van Zandt, Kevin Cavanaugh, Billy Ryan, Sonny Kenn, basically 75% of the shore musicians (i.e. Bloodbrothers). It was a great jam session which hasn't ended yet.

The Stone Pony: You, and most of the Bad Boys, have been staples of the Asbury Park music scene since the 1970s, playing at famous venues, including The Upstage and The Stone Pony. What have your feelings been about the rebirth of the Pony over the past two years, and what do you see as the potential of the scene over the next few years? Have you been impressed with the new music that is being made these days, and are there musicians you feel are doing the best job of living up to the Asbury music tradition?

B: I am very happy with the way it's working out. I feel Mr. Santana is doing a great job of preserving a part of Rock N' Roll history. I am proud of what he has accomplished and proud to joke about it being my home again. I think Mr. Santana is on the right track and it is only gonna get better. As for myself, I support Mr. Santana 100% and the musicians are doing a good job helping to make the Pony grow.

The Stone Pony: You've been quoted as saying there was never really an Asbury sound, but it was "… an energy, a special kind of chemistry." Without asking you to describe something intangible, was that energy brought about by the times, the city, or the fact that this group of people all knew each other and hung out at the same places? Was it coincidence that so many talented people existed at the same place and time, or was there something about their surroundings that caused such an outlet of creative energy?

B: Where are you finding this stuff? Yea, I said that, but it's true. At the time they coined that phrase, I wondered how they came up with the word "sound". It didn't really fit. Southside didn't sound like Bruce, Cahoots didn't sound like Southside, The Shakes didn't sound like Cahoots.  We were all playing different types of music, all R & B based. It was more of an energy, something that I guess we got growing up with each other. Yes, it had a lot to do with the time we were growing up and the social events surrounding the 70's. As Little Steven puts it: Asbury was the Liverpool of America. A coincidence, I don't know, we all just do what we do and I guess it works. We do what we do and not what other people do.  It was like everything works in reverse in Asbury and that's what made it special.

The Stone Pony: Recently, you have started to make your opinions known regarding the plans to redevelop Asbury Park, especially relating to the location of The Stone Pony, and the debate about Asbury Park being a resort town versus a condo community. Can you explain why you have chosen to become involved with this issue, and what point you have been trying to make by speaking out?

B: As I don't play governmental politics, the redevelopment of Asbury Park is hitting home. I was born at 1513 Summerfield Avenue (didn't quite make the hospital, was in a rush to get out) and grew up in Asbury. I am 100% for redeveloping the town. But my belief is that the Asbury Boardwalk area, including Kingsley Avenue and Ocean Avenue, should be RESTORED not redeveloped. Since the 1900's, Asbury has been a resort and a place for entertainment. The main draw was the hotels, ballrooms, beaches and boardwalk. Growing up in Asbury, I spent every day going on the rides and playing on the beach.  It's what brought people to the town, which brought money in to the town. Then there was The Stone Pony, which became the centerpiece of Asbury in the 70's and to this day still is.  It has become an international monument to the history of Rock N' Roll. There are too many important things that happened in The Stone Pony. When I have toured, I would meet people all over. When I say I'm from Asbury Park, NJ, they ask me about The Pony. So you see, The Stone Pony IS Asbury Park, the boardwalk and beaches are Asbury Park, not some ignorant entertainment center shoved in the corner some place. I feel that the people who are making these plans are very ignorant with their thinking on redevelopment. Give me a break!  "Let's bring in the condos and move people in so they can spend the money in other towns and the hell with the people who work and have business here." That's what's going to happen. The beachfront area needs to be brought back to give people in Asbury jobs and a future in Asbury, not in some other town. Up until two years ago, it looked like the Pony was a thing of the past. But since Mr. Santana reopened it in the fashion that it is famous for, it is inconceivable to relocate the Pony. It is the picture of the building and that one corner that is what people come to Asbury for, not to see the "quirky condos" and the "quirky buildings." People come to see Asbury in all it's grandeur and that is what it is famous for.

The Stone Pony: Your most recent CD, It's My Turn, Now was released in May 2000. You describe its sound as "back to the basics of rock 'n' roll and R&B". What statement were you trying to make with the music on this album, and how do you feel it fits in with the music scene today? It has been written that part of the success of the Asbury music scene in the 1970s was R&B and rock music being played in an era of disco and meaningless arena rock. Do you feel this situation is taking place again, and that "straight ahead" rock could become more popular as a backlash against most of the commercial music on the national scene?

B: As with all music, there is always a home for it. I just wanted to show that good basic rock n' roll and R & B is not dead. Yes, I do feel that the situation is kind of happening again. Music needs to take a step back to solidify itself again, but what do I know, I'm not some "bean counter" at a record company trying to tell people what's good and what's not. The one thing for me, personally, is to sell my musical ideas and creativity. If it works, great, if not, well, I know I have been true to myself.

The Stone Pony: Talk about your equipment a little bit. Are keyboardists as fanatical about their equipment as guitarists and drummers? What equipment do you prefer to use when in the studio or on stage? Are there any special instruments that you leave safe at home and only break out for special occasions?

B: Yes, I guess. Personally speaking, I have tried all kinds of keyboards, I own about 15 different kinds, but found that they can't replace the real thing. I use a Hammond B-3 organ and a real piano in the studio and on stage I use a Hammond C-3, same as a B-3 just a different cabinet, a Korg Sp-100 for piano, it's real close, and a Korg O1/w for effects. The Yamaha CP-80 is a bit heavy and needs to be tuned at every gig, so at times it's not practical to use. Damn thing is heavy too!! My main instrument is the Hammond Organ and nothing can compare to it, not even the new ones they are selling now.

The Stone Pony: With so much experience on the road, what does it take these days for a show to stand out as something special? What kind of crowds do you most enjoy performing for and are there moments that make certain shows and events special and really enjoyable for the band?

B: A tight band is number one, the chemistry between the band members and the chemistry between the band and the crowd and the way the band presents itself. I like all types of crowds. I play in New Rochelle, New York, the club is basically a college club, they act like they aren't paying attention but at the end of the show, they're filled with praise and compliments and want us back soon. Then, you play a normal club and everybody is at the edge of the stage. Every show is special and enjoyable.  We are doing music and people are liking it and that is very special.

The Stone Pony: On December 5th, The Stone Pony will be hosting Boccigalupe's Christmas Ball. Who are the artists that will be performing that evening, and what can fans expect when they come and spend that evening on Ocean Avenue?

B: JoBonanno & The Godsons of Soul and The Danny White Band. They can expect a night of straight ahead Rock n' Roll and R & B. and a hell of a lot of fun.

In the November 2nd issue of the newsletter, we told you about Jim Hickey, who is walking across America to raise awareness about cancer research and to encourage people to donate to the City of Hope in Los Angeles.  Recently, Jim sent the newsletter an update on his progress from the road, in Athens, Ohio.