Performers

Vini "Maddog" Lopez

Vini was born January 22, 1949 in Neptune, New Jersey. He got into music at the age of six, when he heard Elvis. He played the valve bugle in the Shoreliners Drum and Bugle Corps in Neptune, NJ.

While in 8th grade, Vini became interested in the drums. In 1964 Vini met Buzzy Lubinski, who showed Vini how to play drums. Soon afterwards, Vini was introduced to Sonny Kenn and Vini joined Sonny and the Starfires in 1965. Soon after this, Vini was in The Moment of Truth with Garry Tallent in 1966. Also, in '67, Vini played in The Downtown Tangiers Rockin' Rhythm and Blues Band with Bill Chinnock and Danny Federici.

When he met Bruce Springsteen in 1968, Danny Federici and Vini asked Bruce to form a band, which they did. Vini introduced Bruce to Carl "Tinker" West when they decided to make this band. It was called Child at first, then they had to change the name to Steel Mill. After Steel Mill was no longer, the band became The Bruce Springsteen Band and then it became E Street Band, with Bruce Springsteen, Clarence Clemons, Danny Federici, Garry Tallent and Vini Lopez. The rest became history.

On April 10, 2014, The E Street Band is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. "Myself and all of the fellas are very proud of this...!"

Vini has played with all of the musicians from the shore area and is one of the driving forces of the music at the Jersey Shore and a true legend of his times.

He has played countless charity shows and will always be there if someone asks.

Also, Vini is a caddie for Mark McCormick, a pro from New Jersey. They have been together for almost 30 years. Mark, with Vini on his bag, played in the U.S. Open in San Francisco in 2012.

Vini now plays regular shows all over the Jersey Shore with Dawg Whistler. "Only cool people can hear them." The band is Paul Whistler, Jon Sebastion Brice, John Mulrenan and Vini "Maddog" Lopez. They do original songs written by Paul Whistler. Currently recording a new CD with the band at Acorn Studios in Howell, NJ.