A closer look at rock'n'roll history reveals that New Jersey, one of the smallest states in the country, has had an enormous influence on the global development of music.

It really is the mecca of outstanding musical talent. It's hard to choose Jersey's most important musical groups in music history, but I have a short list that fits my criteria.

I have lived briefly in Chicago, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, and Boston. I have traveled to Nashville, Memphis, Austin (TX), Dallas, Houston, the Carolinas, the Keys, and Las Vegas.

As an avid music fan, not only of the rock'n'roll genre, but also jazz, country and blues, I have searched for and visited places in each city that were recommended as the “best” places to hear the “best music”.

I had a great time at these venues and the music was very entertaining, but there was something missing that the Jersey artists brought to every song. There is a soulful, visceral commitment to the material and a connection to the audience that only the best groups in the world experience.

Here in New Jersey, you can feel it, enjoy it, and mostly live it. This general feeling is rare elsewhere in the country.

With that being said, and I know some of you will disagree with me, here are my top music acts that influenced the best in music history, in no particular order:

Bruce Springsteen – Freehold, NJ

It has been said many times: nobody does a rock'n'roll show like Bruce Springsteen.

His influence is profound, from his 4 a.m. performances at the Upstage Club on Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park in 1970 to multiple sold-out shows at MetLife Stadium. He is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, has been producing albums since 1971, and his career spans 6 decades. That's incredible, and so is he.

Frank Sinatra – Hoboken, NJ

In the 1940s and 1950s, there was no more popular entertainer worldwide than Frank Sinatra. He sold over 150 million albums and is one of the most successful music artists in music history. His musical genres included traditional pop, jazz, big band and swing.

He excelled in every genre. His first debut album came out in 1946 and he recorded his last album in the 1990s. Fans bought his tour tickets in record time and his 1992 tour sold out in seventeen countries. There was a reason he was called the “Chairman of the Board” because when it came to music, that's what he was.

Bon Jovi – Sayreville, NJ

There's a reason the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has criteria that states that 25 years must have passed since the release of their first album before an artist is considered for induction into the Hall of Fame. Bon Jovi met that criteria and more.

They were known as the first “hair band” that rocked the MTV world and every stadium they played in. This also led to copycat bands trying to imitate Bon Jovi's success. Many groups failed because they weren't Bon Jovi.

Forty years later, since they released their first album in 1983, they are still filling arenas and stadiums all over the world. This year, Bon Jovi released a great new single: Legendary from their 16th album Forever.

The new album and single are another great effort from a band that continues to work hard and write great music. They had a huge impact on rock and roll and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

The Four Seasons – Newark, NJ

Known for their sharp harmonies and pop hits, the Four Seasons became an icon at a time when the British Invasion, including the Beatles, was poised to take over the music scene here in the United States.

From 1962 to 1964, the Beach Boys were the only band to match the Four Seasons' success. The Four Seasons were the first musicians to land at number one on the Billboard charts three times in a row.

The Four Seasons, led by Frankie Valli, were a vocal group that made a major transition from doo-wop to pop to rock and roll. Usually a group loses fans along the way to these genres, but not the Four Seasons. They became more popular and grew their fan base around the world.

Frankie Valli started out in the 50s as The Four Lovers and is selling out stadiums this year. Even though he's celebrating his 90th birthday this year, he's still churning out hits. Unbelievable. It's that work ethic and Jersey success that has kept Frankie going all these years.

Blondie – Monmouth County, NJ

Blondie was one of the first female rock and roll groups to stand out and achieve tremendous success. Janice Joplin may have been an icon, but she lacked the universal appeal of the rock and roll fan base. Blondie has sold over forty million albums, been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for their smash hit Heart of Glass, and been nominated for and won other awards.

When you talk to Debbie Harry, it's not about the awards, but about the music and the appeal to her large fan base.

Blondie was formed in New York City in 1974 in clubs like the Bitter End. Later, they became part of the Monmouth County community and, among other things, made a commercial, in which I also appeared, to save Monmouth County's parks and plaza.

She continues to play to sold-out crowds and maintains the brave spirit that brings out the best in rock'n'roll.

Whitney Houston – Newark, NJ

Simply known as “The Voice”, she will go down in music history as one of the most awarded entertainers.

Whitney Houston has sold an incredible 225 million albums and her music continues to be popular on music streaming services.

Whitney died far too young at the age of 48 and music executives say that she could have sold another 100-150 million records if she hadn't died. A macabre but striking theory. What a pity that fame, lifestyle and pressure took her life.

Her powerful power and melodic voice that she sang in every song made her so popular. She was compared to Streisand, Judy Garland and other successful entertainers with strong voices, but was more successful than them. She had the voice and she had the looks.

Her family roots were also rooted in the music business, which helped her recognize her talent and accept her meteoric success a little easier.

Queen Latifah – East Orange/Newark, NJ

Queen Latifah is an impressive entertainer who has made it big and has found success in every area of ​​the entertainment industry. Queen Latifah, whose real name is Dana Owens, is a singer, songwriter, actress, producer, and more. The Queen started out by beatboxing for the group Ladies Fresh.

She caught the attention of other rappers and began rapping about the issues facing black women in the late 1990s. She released her first album, All Hail the Queen, in 1998, when she was just nineteen. This album catapulted the talented Queen to stardom in the rap world and eventually on television, stage and in the movies.

The Kennedy Center honored Queen Latifah, the first black rapper to receive this honor. She was also nominated for an Oscar in 2003. She is on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and has won a Grammy and a BET Lifetime Achievement Award.

She was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2011, has won a Screen Actors Guild Award, received an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Rutgers University, has been awarded the NAACP Image Award, and has been honored with the WEB DuBois Medal from Harvard University, among other awards and honors.

Her dedication to music and everything she undertakes is a testament to the spirit and strength of the City of Jersey, which continues to be remarkable.

These are just a few who have made music history and influenced the entertainment industry and fans around the world. They all hail from New Jersey and we are proud to have them represent the Great Garden State.

The above post reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 weekend host Big Joe Henry. All opinions expressed are Big Joe's own.

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