Bruce Springsteen Live: brucespringsteen.net
"Manhattan is a narrow island off the coast of New Jersey devoted to the pursuit of lunch." Raymond Sokolov
Yes, it's true. Deal with it. The Boss is a Boomer. Just turned 60. And is still a Force Of Nature. Many of us believe it's because he's from New Jersey. I'll show you why.
To most Philly and Jersey natives New Jersey is less a state than a state of mind -- especially in the summer or at a Springsteen concert. For many of us, Jersey is part of our daily lives, and a window to our past.
There are a host of Facts and Firsts about New Jersey that might surprise you. But the section You Know You're From Jersey When will resonate, especially if you're from Philly --or New York-- because we consider New Jersey sort of our 'stepstate.'
Natives of New Jersey, New York and Philly will relate, smile, remember, cheer. Those who live anywhere else will find this enlightening.
You might even feel a little, you know ... jealous.
New Jersey Facts
The entire state of New Jersey is a peninsula.
Newark's Liberty International airport is the nation's third busiest, following O'Hare and JFK.
The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are in fact located in New Jersey.
New Jersey has more race horses than Kentucky.
New Jersey has the densest system of highways and railroads in the US.
New Jersey has the highest cost of living, the highest cost of auto insurance and the highest property taxes in the nation. (So where are the Housewives of New Jersey?)
North Jersey has the most shopping malls in one area in the world, with seven major malls in a 25 square mile radius.
New Jersey has the most diners in the world and is sometimes referred to as the "Diner Capital of the World."
Atlantic City has the longest boardwalk in the world. Not to mention salt water taffy.
New Jersey is the largest chemical producing state in the nation, when including pharmaceuticals. (Only Jersey would be proud of this).
New Jersey has the largest petroleum containment area outside of the Middle East.
New Jersey has the most stringent testing for water quality control along its coastline than any seaboard state in the country.
New Jersey is the world leader in blueberry and cranberry production (and you thought Massachusetts?)
Jersey tomatoes and corn are the best you can buy. Period.
Ahem
New Jersey is home to both NEW YORK pro football teams!
New Jersey Firsts
The first brewery in America opened in Hoboken, NJ in 1642. (Hey, what's more important than that?)
The light bulb, phonograph and motion picture projector were invented by Thomas Edison in Menlo Park, NJ, the first town ever lit by incandescent bulbs.
The first phonograph records (aka "vinal") were made in Camden, NJ.
Les Paul invented the first solid body electric guitar in Mahwah, NJ.
The first AM radio station was in Paterson, NJ. The first FM radio broadcast was made from Alpine, NJ.
The first airmail --to Chicago-- was started from Keyport, NJ.
New Jersey created and hosted the Miss America Pageant, held in Atlantic City for 85 years ... "Show us your shoes!" (moved to Las Vegas in 2005 ... "Show us your tits" just isn't the same).
The international game Monopoly features streets named for actual streets in Atlantic City.
Jersey City had the nation's first medical center.
New Jersey built the first underwater tunnel -- the Holland Tunnel, under the Hudson River. (Wonder how many Wise Guys are buried there...)
The first baseball game was played in Hoboken, NJ -- also the birthplace of Frank Sinatra.
The first intercollegiate football game was played in New Brunswick in 1889 (Rutgers College Vs. Princeton).
The first drive-in movie theater was opened in Camden, NJ.
The first Indian reservation was in New Jersey's Watchung Mountains.
Okay, now to the real nitty gritty:
You Know You're From New Jersey When. . .
At least three generations in your family love Bruce Springsteen, and you know Jon Bon Jovi's hometown.
You don't think of fruit when people mention "The Oranges."
You refer to Great Adventure, not Six Flags.
You've never had a car without sand in the trunk.
You know there aren't 'beaches' in New Jersey -- there's the shore. And you don't go to the shore, you go down the shore.
Wherever you park, there's a Camaro within three spots of you.
A good, quick breakfast is a hard roll with butter.
You've known the way to Seaside Heights since you were seven.
In the 80's you wore your hair REALLY high.
You've eaten at a diner when you were stoned or drunk at 3 A.M.
You know what a "jug handle" is.
You know that WaWa is a convenience store.
You've seen The Boss on the street or in a bar in Asbury Park. (I've talked to him over a beer. He's a regular guy. But, well, still hawt).
You know how to properly negotiate a circle. (Which you also know has to do with traffic.)
You know that Jersey is the only "New" state that doesn't require "New" to identify it (try . . . Mexico . . . York . . . Hampshire -- doesn't work, does it?)
You know that a "White Castle" is the name of BOTH a fast food chain AND a fast food sandwich.
You consider putting mayo on a corned beef sandwich a sacrilege.
You don't think "What exit do you live near?" is funny.
The Jets-Giants game has started fights at your school or local bar.
You live within 20 minutes of at least three different malls.
You refer to all highways and interstates by their numbers.
Every year you've had at least one kid in your class named Tony.
You know the location of every clip shown in the Sopranos opening credits.
You've gotten on the wrong highway trying to get out of the mall.
You know that people from North Jersey go to Seaside Heights, people from Central Jersey go to Belmar, people from South Jersey go to Wildwood and people from Philly go to Ocean City or Cape May (and the rich go to Ventnor/Margate/Longport).
You weren't raised in "New Jersey" -- you were raised in either North Jersey, Central Jersey or South Jersey.
You don't consider Newark or Camden to really be part of the state.
You remember the stores Korvette's, Two Guys, Rickel's, Channel, Bamberger's and Orbach's.
You also remember Palisades Amusement Park.
You've had a boardwalk cheesesteak and vinegar fries. And funnel cake.
You start planning for Memorial Day weekend in February.
And you've NEVER, EVER pumped your own gas.
New Jersey Natives
Nick Adams, Jason Alexander, Budd Abbott, Robert Blake, Judy Blume, Jon Bon Jovi, Aaron Burr, Grover Cleveland, James Fennimore Cooper, Richard Conti, Lou Costello, Tom Cruise, Sandra Dee, Danny DeVito, John Forsythe, Connie Francis, Alan Ginsberg, Admiral Wm. Halsey, Jr., Alexander Hamilton, Jerry Herman, Lauryn Hill, Whitney Houston.
Ice-T, Joyce Kilmer, Ernie Kovacs, Nathan Lane, Queen Latifah, Jerry Lewis, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Ray Liotta, Norman Mailer, Marilynn McCoo, Gorden McCrae, Linda McElroy, Eddie Money, Jack Nicholson, Shaqille O'Neal, Joe Pesci, Zebulon Pike, Joe Piscopo.
Kelly Ripa, Paul Robeson, Caesar Romero, Eva Marie Saint, Susan Sarandon, Elisabeth Shue, Paul Simon, Frank Sinatra, Kevin Spacey, Bruce Springsteen, Meryl Streep, Loretta Swit, John Travolta, Dave Thomas (Wendy's), Sarah Vaughn, Dionne Warwick, Walt Whitman, Bruce Willis, Flip Wilson, Woodrow Wilson, William Carlos Williams, Robert Wuhl.
Okay, not all winners. But, yo, that's Jersey for you.
Happy Birthday, Bruce!
The Boss at 60 and still rockin the house for all generations. No question, it's the Jersey genes.
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Comments
I guess it's time to make a phone call, eh?
thats pretty friggin' old, yet he still
has that vibe going on and knows how
to still rock!
go bruce.
i really like his song growing up...
and my favorite cd of his is
the rising...
Never been to Jersey. I'm not much of a city boy, but I'd like to meet THE BOSS and Tony Soprano. I have some friends from Jersey and they are really cool. If everyone from Jersey is like that, it sounds like a good enough place for me.
I remember Korvette's!
The Boss is one of my favs along with Jon Bon Jovi. I just watched a PBS special about Wanda Jackson and she played at Asbury Lane's and Bruce was in the tiny bowling alley digging the show crammed in with all the common folk. I thought that was really cool. Just a regular Joe.
One correction- the Rutgers-Princeton game was played in 1869, not 1889. Rutgers won 6 to 4. If you are thinking that 6 to 4 seems like an odd score for a football game, you would be correct. That first game was very different. They had based the game on an English rugby football rule book, and had misunderstood them. Touchdowns (not yet called touchdowns) counted for as many points as fieldgoals (not yet called FGs, either); with no clock they played 10 "ends," as they were called, an end being over whenever someone scored. It was neck-and-neck until the Scarlet Knights scored the 10th end, securing the victory for dear old Rutgers (whose alumni include Paul Robeson and Mr. Magoo).
Rutgers is also the only major state university NOT named after the state. Its full official corporate name is "Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey." There is no U of NJ, nor an NJSU. There is a system of second tier state schools with a similar naming protocol - "William Paterson University of New Jersey." The only one that comes close - about 15 years, Trenton State College changes its name to become "The College of New Jersey."
But who gives a crap about a mere college?
My husband grew up in NJ. I love it there.
I remember "down the shore" very well.
Also, you left out traffic circles.
This brings back so many memories.
Rated.
Ah, geez - you HAD to bring up Korvette's, didn't you?
Now I'm homesick.
OK, not really. :-D
Thumbed for sheer Bossiness.
1. For the first time in my more than twenty years here, I'm considering not voting for governor in November's election
2. My taxes on my condo with nice collective areas but only 1/11 of an acre I can call my own are twice the taxes paid in North Carolina by my friend with the four-bedroom house on two acres
3. No public transportation across the state
4. My health insurance pays a portion of what it deduces a reasonable rate. Unfortunately, the doctors around here usually charge MUCH more than the "reasonable" rate
5. We won't get into the culture of corruption
6. The rate of attrition is growing and while that might give those of us remaining more room, it won't lower the cost of living
And as I always say, those who make fun of New Jersey don't know New Jersey with its numerous and diverse cuisines, languages, and cultures, its colonial history and Revolutionary War battle sites, its incredible natural diversity from the Atlantic shore to the salt marshes to wetlands to the "Pine Barrens" to mountains, not to mention being a flyway for 450 species of migratory birds. But hey! Those of you who think Jersey is a the "armpit" of the USA, you just go on thinking that and stay the hell away...and particularly stay away from "our" shore!!
Jamie, call your sister and tell her Yo for me.
umwhatever, there are many people 60 years old who don't think it's so friggin old... it's more about experience and seasoning.
Michael, of course you have to start a contest over who's peninsula is bigger... heh. Trust me, everybody from Jersey is cool (except the politicians).
Charles, you are now officially Mr. Jersey. I'll take your word I got the Rutgers-Princeton game year wrong. And thanks for all the extra info.. fascinating. So why didn't you write this? ;)
Bob, old rock is the best.
Jeanette, tell your hubby Yo for me too.
Blackflon, you skimmed, ahem. Traffic circles are there. Glad I took you back.
Bill, I guess Korvette's was the first Big Box store, eh. Now I'm not so homesick either.
Nikki, I hear ya on the governor thing. Disgraceful choices. Just one thing: does your friend in NC have hurricaine insurance? :)
Lea, as always, you get right to the meat. So to speak.
spotted, it's hard to find malt vinegar because... it's made in Jersey!
Paul, you pointed out something interesting which I hadn't thought of before... Jersey, Philly and Chicago folks are very similar. Not sure your pols are more corrupt.. they just get caught more often.
Amy, you're right, how could I forget Martha Stewart? Thanks for the added Jersey facts. But how did I not know you're from Philly?
Oh Jersey!
I'm so sorry for the delay but work swept me up this week. Did you see my latest Jersey mottos? I had fun with them. But before I cut and paste them, this stuck out the most for me, because its so effin' TRUE:
"New Jersey has the highest cost of living, the highest cost of auto insurance and the highest property taxes in the nation. (So where are the Housewives of New Jersey?)"
OUCH! Sick of that. Feel the expense of this mediocre state everyday!
Anyway, here's my mottoes:
Jersey - Only the Strong Survive
Jersey - Only the Good Die Young
Jersey - The Capital of Nothingness
Jersey - It Just got a Little Weirder
Jersey - Badabing!
Jersey - Where the Body was Dumped
Jersey - Just Keep Driving
Jersey - Nobody says "Joisey" and Don't Ask What Exit because it's just not Funny at this Point State
Jersey - Where the Bland meets the Bleached Blondes
Jersey - Hey! You looking at me?
Jersey - Home of the First Meth Lab
Jersey - Giving Toxic a Whole New Meaning
Jersey - The Black Hole State
Jersey - Where Dreams Come to Wither and Fade at your Feet
Jersey - The Garden of Evil State
Jersey - At Least we have Great Tomatoes!
Jersey - Bruce Slept Here!
Jersey - Where Sweet Caroline is Still Sung Loudly and Proudly
@Sally: my friend lives in Raleigh/Durham - doesn't need hurricane insurance but bet he could afford it!
But yes, sixty is definitely the new, er sixty...
Jersey: What, we can't have at least ONE first-class state school? (sorry Rutgers, you ain't no UNC)
New Jersey is my home and I love it.
And I loved this post.
Nikki, you too, you little dickens.
Duane, Hot Dog Johnny's! I am an idiot. And what about Stewart's Root Beer Drive Ins?
Blackflon, keep em coming. I should have added: BETH MANN.
The Boss is 60? So he's been getting AARP magazine for ten years? I feel better now.
New Jersey has the largest petroleum containment area outside of the Middle East.
New Jersey has the most stringent testing for water quality control along its coastline than any seaboard state in the country.
Do you see a cause and effect (or is that affect, damn) reaction here?
"Sally." In my NJ world, that used to be a guy's name---A guy you didn't really want to mess with.
As I always tell people: "I dated Bruce Springsteen. In one form or another."
Destinesa, I'm sorry you feel offended, but please don't put racist words in my mouth. These are meant to be lighthearted generalizations, some old, some new, all in fun, none political.
Maddie, you're right, Sal or Sally is a guy's name in Jersey.
But the demographics of the shore are a little more complicated. Lots of working class folks at the north end of Ventor; lots of South Philly goes down to Wildwood; and there are some pretty rich people in Ocean City--after all Grace Kelly's family went there.
And don't forget the rest stops named after famous people on the Jersey Turnpike. My favorite: Joyce Kilmer--"I think that I will never see a place so lovely to take a pee."
Anthony Bourdain, Zack Braff,William J. Brennan, Joyce Carol Oates, Mary Higgins Clark, Grover Cleveland, James Fenimore Cooper, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, David Copperfield, Stephen Crane, Tom Cruise, Michael Douglas, Kirsten Dunst, Linda Fiorentino, Calista Flockhart, Steve Forbes, James Gandolfini (of course),
Dizzy Gillespie, and my favorite - Yogi Berra
libertarius, you're right about the demographics, I was over-generalizing, which I should Never do among this crowd. ;) And though OC is supposed to be a Catholic enclave, we lived there for years instead of the more "Jewish" areas in V/M/L.
Mary, I think Bruce has been inspiring at all ages. He's the real deal.
Nikki, keep em coming. I left out a lot.
Roger, you're right, you should see the foliage along the GS Pkwy now, beautiful!