Southside Johnny & Bruce Springsteen The Agora, Cleveland, OH 1978-08-31

[@19darnoc52]

Fantastic watching on this December 22, 2024, two days after Southside announced his retirement. It's been a great 50 years, Johnny! Thanks for the memories!

[@martenhallin6014]

Probably the best film clip on the whole damn internet. Magic in its purest form.

[@velvetbees]

There is something sacred about this performance. I don't mean church sacred. I mean once in a lifetime sacred.

[@Ellellemm22]

When Bruce tells Southside to play the harmonica, the look on both of their faces is pure friendship and joy. Damn I wish I had been there. Thank you for posting this!!!!❤️❤️❤️

[@timoconnor8520]

@@Ellellemm22 Ohh, you and I both, my friend. You and I both! 🤩

[@matteg490]

Johnny meanders through this good song. Just stick with Bruce's formula. Song is destroyed, for me. oh alright now.

[@scottjw0219]

@@matteg490 Johnny doesn't stick to anyone's formula.

[@tomfisher9191]

Arguably the greatest event in Cleveland rock history.

[@paulw.woodring7304]

I'd nominate the WMMS 10th Anniversary concert at the Agora a few days earlier, with Bruce and his entire band, a nearly 3 hour broadcast that many of us wore out our bootleg copies of decades ago.

[@bcask61]

A big part of Bruce’s magic is that no matter how much fun the audience is having, he looks like he’s having just a little bit more. These were great days to be 19yo. Damn I miss it. I grew up a little down the beach, but we made some epic road trips back in the day.

[@mikestevenson576]

"A big part of Bruce’s magic is that no matter how much fun the audience is having, he looks like he’s having just a little bit more." What a great assessment!

[@JeanBakula]

Southside at the Capitol Theater in Passaic. Often the opening act.

[@karenscigliano9787]

Damn, this is so good!! Everyone is so young and skinny ❤

[@inlakesh555]

Necks were longer😊

[@billmcpheeters1888]

Me too!

[@grandpajoe9851]

SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY AND THE ASBURY JUKES!! God the 70s were awesome!!

[@robmills7611]

AMEN to that!!! 👍❤️

[@MLPdiver]

And just like that I’m 18 years old again in Monmouth County, NJ. Thanks for posting.

[@frankgorg7932]

Me too, but in the mean streets of Chicago. What a wonderful era to grow up in.

[@musicismagic3001]

17 for me…at the show! 🎶🎸🎶

[@Bernacide]

​@@musicismagic3001 bet u didn't realize what a legendary show u were witnessing at the time! So jealous! ♥️

[@Bernacide]

What a time it must of been to be young at the shore!!!!

[@diogesesmore9874]

Standing outside the pony wondering where they hell they are! Well down on Cookman, they know La Bamba are In CLEVELAND!!

[@johnbourassa8925]

Bruce was playing at the Richfield Colosseum that night and showed up at the Agora by surprise to support his friend Southside Johnny.

[@jamesstetz9884]

OMG I was at the Richfield Coliseum that night! Bruuuuuuuce….

[@FAMILYREX-um3tb]

This was the greatest night of my life. To be in the midst of all this was truly amazing and believe me I didn't want to go home .

[@kjisnot]

I was there too. I remember it like it was a few nights ago. I got home when the sun was coming up.

[@FAMILYREX-um3tb]

@@kjisnot Well that means we could have actually possibly met? I come from the East Cleveland area. Near the old Euclid Beach in bratenahl. You? So I'm sure you have been in the old Palace Theater, Blossom Music Center,And Nelsons Ledges? When I was a teenager used to hang out at Squires Castle Metropolitan Park. Attended quite a few of the World Series of rocks as well

[@ericblowtorch]

You lead a charmed life.

[@FAMILYREX-um3tb]

@@ericblowtorch I wouldn't go as far to say that I just grew up the rock and roll capital of the world I've seen so many concerts I can't even count. As teenagers that was the thing to do go see concerts. But I was blessed being that Bruce Springsteen and Southside Johnny or two of my favorites. I've seen them both each more than 25 times. Southside Johnny more like 50.

[@327JohnnySS]

I love reading the stories of the comments. Good stuff. 👍

[@edwardambrose8704]

Jukes, Best Bar Band in the Whole wide world ! Love all the Shore Music, Bruce Thanks, 14th . 2nd Ave. NYC .

[@princesscarla2089]

I was at the concert at the Richfield Coliseum this very night I was 17 years old I’ll never forget it Bruce is the boss!!!!

[@jeannenigro9674]

I was there too -august 30,78 and I was 17 too! Will never forget it best concert ever!!

[@DougLivezey]

this may be the night i first saw bruce live, at the coliseum. maybe it wasn't until the new year's eve show. time fades...

[@princesscarla2089]

@@DougLivezey I was at both those concerts one year they did New Year’s Eve and New Year’s night. One year they did like 23 December. I was at all of them. They were awesome and then there was one night my boyfriend and I went to the agora where is southside Johnny was there showed up my boyfriend, knew he was gonna be there. Unforgettable night I didn’t get home till they break.

[@jamesstetz9884]

I was there too…had just turned 18. #clevelandrocks

[@benjaminnewberry363]

I was and I am still a Roadie... Started as a Roadie for the Jukes on The Mike Douglas Show 7/7/77, became the Roadie for Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul 1982 while Miami Steve was recording "Men Without Women"... I am currently on The Bruce Springsteen World Tour!!! I remember this night vividly because Clarence was standing next to me during "Fever" so he could sing the Low Part on Kevin Kavanagh's vocal mic...

[@musicalchairs777]

Blessed life!

[@DanEvans-yb6wk]

so why wasn't the Big Man playing his sax?

[@shaycostello888]

Touché Ben - what stories and life experience you must have chalked up 🎉 Brill

[@benjaminnewberry363]

@@shaycostello888 Still chalking'em up!!!

[@shaycostello888]

@@benjaminnewberry363 Caught x2 Copenhagen and x1 Belfast for this run. Great to hear that - unmatched longevity and loyalty - NJ Rock n Roll - So legendary. Regards

[@Letsrock44]

YOU SOLD ME. ROCK ON !

[@lucibjlb]

I was there. It was pure magic. And BTW, the Agora was the best venue for music.

[@amherst88]

What a service to humanity you have performed by posting this 🌎🌈

[@karencarpenter1809]

Musical heaven on earth!

[@riverbluevert7814]

The Glory Days of the Jersey Sound!

[@sarak.5348]

Omg this is absolutely incredible!

[@stunod1479]

August 1978 in Cleveland Ohio was magical

[@jamesstetz9884]

TRUTH

[@bassmangotdbluz3547]

I saw Southside Johnny with Ronnie Spector, Sugar Miami Steve VanZant aka Little Stephen & The Tower of Power Horns in DC at the Warner Theatre in 77 or 78. The opening act was my favorite local band, The Nighthawks. It was one of the most spectacular musical nights 🌙 of rockin' rhythm and blues of my life. Those were magical times.

[@rogerpagotto8391]

This is brilliant. Music at its best.

[@ΠαναγιώτηςΠαπαγεωργίου_66]

How I miss having a good night out , with good friends and good music !

[@drychaf]

Ah, back in the days when the professionals would take care of the filming while we would be free to lose ourselves in the event. We Were PART of the event. This is special, thanks for uploading it - and I love the info too.

[@velvetbees]

That was first song was soulful and amazingly beautiful.

[@jeffreybrown7470]

Grew up in Cleveland. This warms my heart! ❤

[@327JohnnySS]

There is always one moment in time where it was happening at that moment in time. This is a perfect example of one of them. Long live Rock n Roll.☮

[@randyhochstein8455]

I was at this show. I love Southside Johnny so I decided to travel to Ohio to The Agoura Club to see them having recently been introduced to them live. The show being delayed for a couple of hours was not what I expected, but as it turned out, it was well worth the wait. It was my second time seeing Southside, and Bruce also. I saw both in separate shows in Johnstown Pennsylvania. It was the last time I saw Johnny, but I saw Bruce an additional five times. ♥️✌🏼😎

[@ericblowtorch]

Non-stop goosebumps. So great to hear Bruce singing harmony.

[@LMillerStudio]

Wow, that brings it all right back like it was yesterday. Saw Southside so many times back in those days, but never lucky enough to catch him together with Bruce. Thank you thank you thank you for posting this.... made me cry (once I got done singing).

[@paulamartin9998]

This is fantastic!! I remember those days! ❤️😍🤩

[@chuckhohenstein2137]

I’m gobsmacked by this it is amazing!!!!

[@billmcpheeters1888]

Where the hell can I go see music like this today????

[@robmills7611]

It's gone man! I wanna go back in time and back to the clubs when I was young!! I used to live for gigs like this back in the seventies and early eighties! Sucks getting old especially since all the great full tilt R and B and RocknRoll bands are gone

[@timferguson1593]

I'm afraid those days have left the building! Is so cool. Incredible!

[@BeigeKryptonite]

Bruce’s faux-shocked expression @18:11 when Southside says “take it up” always cracks me up.

[@davidcurtis7547]

What a fucking show . Thanks for sharing . Miami Steve was worth waiting for , I love his guitar on this video

[@RCOldeman]

I saw Southside some month ago in Utrecht (the Netherlands) Still a great singer with a great show.

[@antispinsulation1]

This has 0 down votes because this is beyond incredible. Southside and Bruce are peanut butter and jelly.

[@capt.bart.roberts4975]

They were so good!

[@katdoherty8426]

Thank You 😊 The BOSS 🙏🕊️✌️☮️

[@cathyanndee9984]

Thank you for the energy uplift

[@gordeauxd]

The finest of Asbury Park, New Jersey...

[@JimWhipple-kc4nz]

Two great NJ guys

[@fourangelsmomma]

THANK YOU for sharing this! It is absolutely amazing and quite a treasure!

[@rsoto4156]

Sneak peek of Clarence 5:35 in 1978. amazing footage

[@davidreigelman3492]

This is so special ! Saw Southside a few times, most memorable was at John Carroll University with Nils Lofgren opening! Saw Bruce numerous times, Richfield Coliseum, Cleveland Stadium, never a bad show.

[@rickvia8435]

A moment when the world seems right - SS Johnny, Steve, Bruce, some E-Streeters and most of the original Jukes. Three weeks before my 19th Bday.

[@327JohnnySS]

I agree, those times seem long ago and far away compared to these days. Yet during the pandemic we were "Trapped again ".

[@stutombs5294]

This is incredible.

[@randypeeples9870]

Randy Peeples please keep respecting the history of this music and simply amazing tunes they all tell the amazing story of this old man's life!!

[@simonk.7528]

amazing archive film to find after c 40+years; thank you. Bruce has clearly weathered the intervening years rather better than Southside from watching the Blinded by the Light show clips from a couple of years agohkwever this film does show what a great showman and band leader SSJ was back in the day. Thank you for this reminder of the old golden days of bar room bands like the Jukes and the music they made back on those early albums assisted by Bruce & Miami Steve.

[@dsoule4902]

SS still has it. Came out of the nosedive. Delightful performances again. God bless him.

[@larrybuxton4614]

Love me some La Bamba! Billy and Steve in them slick white shoes. Bruce and the Big Man, SSJ tearing’ it up … GREAT MUSIC!

[@garrykeith9188]

Fantastic. So in need of this at the moment, thank you ☺

[@kegbot1]

A moment in time when all the planets and stars aligned in Cleveland's legendary Agora Ballroom to bring together two great, great acts. . I wish I could have been there, hell, I didn't even know this happened until now. I was a high school sophomore at the time and already a big fan of both bands. What a find this is!

[@RoyalEnterprisesllc]

FYI... They weren't brought in together. Bruce played that night at the old Coliseum and Southside was playing at agora. When Springsteen wrapped up, he and Steven hopped in a limo and came down to Agora to jam with Southside until 4am....Those were the great times....

[@fernandorosas1430]

Total.

[@mredgrrr]

If only Michael Stanley could have ever shared the stage with them.

[@geraldmacneil6458]

Apparently the Big Man was in the limo too.....🙄

[@davidcurtis7547]

Isn't KZbin a wonderful thing . We were too young to be there , but we got this beautiful replay . Priceless

[@kindnessfirst9670]

Bruce and the E Street Band had played a 3 hour show of their own in the same venue just 3 weeks earlier. 375 tickets to which were given away free by mail.

[@EagleArrow]

👍✌True Muscians....miss those days. 🎶🎵 When bands could just jam and not be on a schedule of in and out.

[@H-mv2jp]

It’s more like a jam session between the two friends rather than a concert. One thing is certain - Bruce had a great time.❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@kornysinclair9145]

Love how lil stevie keeping eye out..Thanks stevie

[@andrewtaylor7484]

Thanks for posting this.

[@sarak.5348]

this IS GOLD! ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@billbbobby2889]

*Thank You for putting this great video up for All. Real Music, taking Great Musical Effort and Work, and producing Great Vibes. Great Music and Great Time growing up in America. Thank You Great Lord Above for filling The Air with Harmony. Yes, sometimes all the money in the world can't give you these great excellent performances. As always, you just think it will last forever.*

[@fabiobriasco5127]

Southside era un animale da palco, anche nei primi anni 90 quando lo vidi al Rolling Stone non si risparmio’…. Grazie a Bruce e Johnny per averci dato tanta voglia di cantare e ballare!!

[@vickyandrews124]

WOW!

[@wjb8855]

Wow!!! Anything from the old agora concerts is amazing.....South Side Johnny was king before little Bruce knew how to hold a guitar....

[@davidcurtis7547]

The first Boss Southside Johnny

[@mikemcf33]

not really true. but always great together

[@sheepdawg8179]

Johnny was truly a badass! Many don't know that Bruce wrote alot of Southside's songs and that's Bruce sustained. The Boss's song writing to this day is Hall of Fame!! I'd go back to those times in a nanosecond.

[@dsoule4902]

Yeah. Roxy Theater Los Angeles October 1976. Went to see Southside open for Elvin Bishop.

[@carmenabraham5725]

Play play the bible

[@kindnessfirst9670]

Hard to believe Bruce waited 26 years before finally releasing a recording of this song that he wrote in 1973. The best version is Bruce's live performance from 1978 in San Fransisco. A show his parents were listening to live on the radio.

[@kenton6098]

Bruce was KILLER in 1078!

[@martinobrien7110]

Clarence on a night off . Quite happy to take a back seat for once .

[@juanfrances6756]

Beautifull red trousers!.

[@darrellmcdonald9957]

Thanks for sharing. Great show...

[@richardconstant5821]

MESMERIZING!!

[@charlesnolan7602]

Uncle South and the Boss!

[@Bluzslam]

Spectacular. This is what it was like in the summer of '76, too. The Jukes first record had come out. From North Jersey we used to go down to the Stone Pony in Asbury Park to see them on weekends. Bruce Springsteen would be hanging out (a beautiful woman usually with him). Then he'd hop up on stage and do the encores with the Jukes and Steven. It was like being at the center of the rock universe.

[@dougphillips7194]

Yep I was there to after the other show in town that night 🎸 remember Cleveland?? 🎼

[@dougphillips7194]

Thanks

[@ChuckinOhio]

Cleveland and The Agora have both of these guys their breaks into the music industry. Never forget that.

[@richardconstant5821]

Scottie - beam me (back) to 8/31/78, I'd give anything to have seen this gig!

[@djangiebaby]

wow what a voice .. love them 💝

[@fernandorosas1430]

A veces no puedo creer tanta belleza.

[@windywindmill98]

THE KINGS!

[@anelladambrosio2513]

Ma quanto erano giovani ? Bruce e Johnny!!fantastici!!🙋😍😍😘🎸🎶♥️💯

[@waltereaton4420]

Simply put. Thanks!

[@DukeStreetKingsOfficial]

Best club show EVVA!

[@thebossman60]

Awesome

[@mattsilver2237]

Put it in a time capsule, label it "Cleveland Rocks: What fun was like in the 1970s..."

[@roxiroxi4181]

Fantastico...Bruce southside steve and all the guys rules the universe

[@tlynch1218]

Southside Johnny...i don't want to go home... no neither did I.

[@travislong5656]

Time travel. I need time travel

[@do8717]

Big Man was a BIG MAN in 1978.

[@xxcelr8rs]

Fever, best song he ever wrote. Gypsy Biker a close second.

[@williamhilinsky1327]

Timeless

[@stevewindisch7400]

It happened twice within about a year I think.. Pretty sure I was here at this one, remember seeing cameras. If not then it was the second one Bruce showed. I do remember that even the MC was surprised and laughing that this was happening lol. At the old Agora by Cleveland State.

[@nathanhighley7551]

Southside Johnny released a live album of the band at the Agora. I am so sad it was not this show :/

[@walttinkercombee6876]

South side was schedule to play The Jazz Festival in New Orleans this May

[@sladjanaristic6405]

Brus velika rok legenda. Veliki Boss. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋.

[@hobbyofmine1]

I was only 10 at this time but if I had a time machine this would be the first place I would want to go back to.

[@phill.2924]

Professor rocks at 17:00!

[@Sandy-fo5rr]

It's going to be alright now!!

[@Onemore59]

This was on LIVE TV in Cleveland DUMMIES. I saw it the first time too. Johnny's show started late cuz he was waiting for Miami Steve to finish the Bruce gig. Cuz, he formed the Asbury Jukes with Johnny. SHEESH.

[@clete3977]

16:49 The Professor! Class is now in session.

[@greu52]

A question: was Johnny a bigger presence versus Bruce??

[@MannBrothersFilms]

The Boss!+

[@TheMrSuge]

Was this the night that Bruce played the Richfield Coliseum, finished his show, then drove downtown and crashed Southside Johnny's set at the Cleveland Agora ?

[@chriscampbell3817]

Yes

[@billluke8965]

I was at the coliseum that night,didnt realize this took place

[@Extrasinn]

And Steve played both shows? Didn't they lap timewise?

[@temporarystranger95]

Criminal that Springsteen and the E Street Band played the Agora earlier that month (August 9, 1978) and they did not run the in-house video system. Would have been the greatest captured show in Rock history.

[@thisistheworldtoday]

Eventually Bruce became a rock idol but back then Southside’s blew him away... in spite of his drunken performance

[@antispinsulation1]

I agree. Southside fucks.

[@TheMrSuge]

Bruce is holding back his performance here. He knows it's SS's show, and he's just crashing it. So he's being respectful and letting Johnny take the lead. In reality, well, there's a reason they call Bruce The Boss.

[@howards8535]

Bruce is definitely holding his own. Blew SSJ away on vocal range.

[@1014glenn]

Born to Run came out in 75 he was already an idol

[@puckpaul810]

South was really really great and fun back then, saw him 20-30 times live, but he is no Bruce…and was dependent on Bruce and Little Steven for his best songs.

[@kennethterrell7409]

I aw Southside and Bruce many times. Southside is a better performer, Won't say which gives a better concert: it's impossible to disect perfection.

[@FAMILYREX-um3tb]

I have to respectfully disagree I think Bruce is a better performer but Southside make sure you got up and danced The Night Away . I know I've seen Bruce well over 25 times and I would say Southside Johnny three times as much. Met him several times back stages , in all different cities. I would say my two favorite times I seen him we're both in Cleveland once he played at Kids Leo's wedding , he was the WMMS 101 radio disc jockey then. The other time he backed up the Jay geils Band at the Cleveland Coliseum that was a tremendous show the entire evening I believe Max t'bear opened up but I didn't see him. That was his hearts of stone tour

[@mikebigbeard3156]

I don't agree that Southside is better but its close for sure. I think in the long run Bruce had better songs and albums. It wasn't until The River I'd say that Bruce really pulled ahead and then Born in the USA sealed the gap in terms of success

[@Harry_PP030]

Springsteen has the songs, Southside Johnny has the voice.

[@anelladambrosio2513]

@@Harry_PP030 ma per favore.. Parliamo di voce? 🤔🙁😁😍😘❤️💋

[@tonysandrich315]

Bah! Bruce all the way.