La Bamba’s Holiday Hurrah Is Returning To the Stone Pony
La Bamba brings his 4th annual Holiday Hurrah to the Stone Pony in Asbury Park on Saturday, December 9.
Richie “La Bamba” Rosenberg has been a part of the New Jersey music scene since first joining Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes in time for the recording of their second album, This Time It’s For Real.
In addition to his work with the Jukes, Richie has toured and recorded with Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, Bruce Springsteen, Diana Ross. He was also part of the Max Weinberg 7 which was the house band for various Conan O’Brien television shows.
Interview Excerpts
JIM MONAGHAN – This coming Saturday night at the Stone Pony. It’s the return of La Bamba’s Holiday Hurrah. This is the fourth annual and my guest this morning here on DHA and all mixed up is Richie La Bamba Rosenberg. Good morning, my friend. It’s been a long time.
RICHIE “LA BAMBA” ROSENBERG -Hello, Jim. It sure has.
JM – I know you have a bunch of special guests lined up for this year’s extravaganza. Tell us who’s coming.
RR – Glen Burtnik, Willie Nile, Bobby Bandiera, Joe Vadala, and a 20-piece band. That’s all you could get, 20. Maybe a little bit, a little more. But my daughter Jade will be singing, and my son Reed, he’ll be up there helping us out.
JM – I was just down at the Stone Pony this past Friday night. My band opened up for the Smithereens, Richie and I hadn’t been there in a while. I couldn’t get over how much it’s changed. It was really cool to be back there.
RR – Oh, yeah. They did a lot of work in there. Right?
JM – When you look at all of the photographs and there are a ton of photographs of you guys, whether it’s you with La Bamba and the Hubcaps or some of the holiday shows or back with Southside and the Jukes, there are pictures of you all over the place. You ought to charge them.
RR – Good idea. I can use a little extra income.
The nickname La Bamba
JM – You know, in all the years that we’ve known each other, I’ve never asked you this, and I’m sure it’s out there somewhere. Where does a Jewish kid from South Philadelphia get the nickname LaBamba? How does that happen?
RR – Well, Northeast Philadelphia. It was at the Pony. As you know, everybody had a nickname, was given one, either by Bruce or the guys that were around or whatnot. So I auditioned for the Jukes, and “We got to come up with a nickname for this guy!” So remember Gary Anderson? He was a roadie for the Jukes. The back of the Stone Pony is packed. Bruce is there. And Gary goes, okay, we got to come up with… He looks Mexican. He’s got really dark tan. He’s got the Fu Man Shu and the beard he’s thinking about. And Bruce jumps up on the bar. Give me an L, give me an A. Give me a more like this. Give me an L, give me an A.
JM – For listeners who are not watching on video, Richie is imitating Bruce’s jaw setting. Let’s just say that.
The Super Bowl Wardrobe Malfunction That Was Planned
JM – Hey, speaking of Bruce, what was it like playing the Super Bowl?
RR – Wow. I have a really funny story tied to that. About a month before the Super Bowl, I was in a car accident with my daughter, and I was walking around eventually on a cane, and he calls and says, we’re going to do the Super Bowl. Can you make this rehearsal? And (Mark) Pender and I go down there, and we walk into the room and he sees, oh, no, what is happening? I got such plans! We’re going to do a Janet Jackson type of routine here. What happened with the…what do they call it?
JM – The wardrobe malfunction, I believe, was the technical term they used.
RR – Thank you, Jim. Yes. What are you talking going to we’re going to put you in straps from your garter, straps from your socks to your boxers. We’re going to give you a boxer with hearts on them and a white guinea tee. And Mark Pender is going to come behind you on “Glory Days” and rip off your tear away suit. And he was serious. I’m sure he was. It never happened because NFL wouldn’t allow it.
In addition to the show this Saturday at the Stone Pony, it’s also part of the Asbury Park Toy Drive. You’re asked to bring a new unwrapped gift, if you can, and drop it off at the front door collection box. For people who want tickets and information, you go to stoneponyonline.com.
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