Bobby Bandiera

Bobby Bandiera (born October 26, 1952) is an American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter from New Jersey. Bandiera played rhythm guitar for Bon Jovi in live performances from 2005 until 2015 and was lead guitarist for Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. Bandiera and his band (The Bobby Bandiera Band) have backed Bruce Springsteen at benefit concerts.

Biography

Bandiera began playing in clubs over 45 years ago at the age of 16. He was originally in a band called Holme from Orange, New Jersey. They debuted in 1970, and were the house band for years at Dodd's in Orange, New Jersey and D'Jais in Belmar, New Jersey, where Bandiera still makes occasional appearances.

In the early 1980s, Bandiera recorded a series of songs with Paul Czekaj and John "Otto" De Gennaro, With Bobby playing lead guitar and singing. His brother, Frank, accompanied them on drums on "Rock and Roll Boy" . The style of guitar he played on these songs relates more toward a country western influence, said to have come from his mother. The songs were not released until 2009, on an album titled "The Saved Recordings" by Paul Czekaj. The listing of the tracks Bandiera was featured on is: "I Want You Back Again," "Rock and Roll Boy," "It Won't Happen Again," and "In The Middle of the Night". "In The Middle of the Night" was written by John "Otto" De Gennaro and Paul Czekaj .