Little Steven Releases Solo Box Set: ‘RockNRoll Rebel – The Early Work’

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and E Street legend Little Steven’s pioneering solo work is now celebrated in a new box set, RockNRoll Rebel – The Early Work via Wicked Cool/Ume.

The expansive box collects all of Van Zandt’s solo records between 1982 and 1999, as well as the landmark protest album, Sun City, by Artists United Against Apartheid, the supergroup of musicians brought together by Little Steven and record producer Arthur Baker to fight racial injustice in South Africa.

The limited-edition collection includes remastered editions of five long-out-of-print classic albums – Men Without Women (1982), Voice Of America (1983), Sun City (1985), Freedom – No Compromise (1987), Revolution (1989) and the vinyl debut of Born Again Savage (1999) – across seven-coloured vinyl LPs.

Limited to just 1,000 copies, the set also features four CDs of rarities straight from Van Zandt’s personal vault that explores his early solo career with 51 tracks spanning previously unreleased demos, B-sides, rehearsals, outtakes, singles and live performances, all with corresponding liner notes from Van Zandt.

“It’s been a blast going through the archives and finding all these hidden gems,” Van Zandt shared in a statement. “In addition to demos in various stages of completion, there are entire songs I’d completely forgotten about, and we found some really early things pre-Jukes like Southside Johnny and the Kid (the kid being me!). I’m excited to have my stuff back on vinyl for the first time in decades!”

Along with the vinyl reissues, all of albums included in the box are now available digitally as deluxe editions with the same rare and unreleased tracks. That includes a special digital only album dubbed The Early Work, which collects 10 previously unreleased tracks of early rehearsals and live performances with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes spanning 1973-77.

This also marks the first time Sun City has been available digitally. The album has been expanded with four bonus tracks, including the previously unreleased ‘Soweto Nights’. In his liner notes for the track, Van Zandt notes ‘Soweto Nights’ is, “a phenomenal track seemingly composed at the session (as far as I know) by Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams, who we brought in to improvise along with what Miles Davis had laid down (‘The Struggle Continues’)”.

Also featured is the extended ‘Sun City (Last Remix)’ and its B-side ‘Not So Far Away (Dub Mix)’ from the rare UK 12” single.

One of the highlights of the collection is the rare 1985 three-song 12” EP, Let Me See Your ID, that brought together a rare ensembles of artists including Gil Scott-Heron, Miles Davis, Grandmaster Melle Mel, Peter Wolf, Kurtis Blow, Scorpio, The Fat Boys, Sonny Okosuns and Duke Bootee for a song to protest South Africa’s mandatory ID “Pass Laws,” imposed by the apartheid regime.

Van Zandt is donating all artist and publishing royalties from Sun City to the Rock and Roll Forever Foundation for the TeachRock.org music history curriculum.

To coincide with the box, a limited edition standalone 144-page, 12” x 12” companion book is in the works featuring Van Zandt’s in-depth liner notes and memories and stories about the making of each album, lyrics to every song and hundreds of never-before-seen photos. It will be available for pre-order in the near future.

Following the release of RockNRoll Rebel, Van Zandt has been making select videos from his early career available on his official YouTube channel for the first time as well as offering up other visuals from the era.

RockNRoll Rebel – The Early Work can be bought here. View the full tracklisting below.

Little Steven And The Disciples Of Soul: Men Without Women (1982)
1. Lyin’ In A Bed Of Fire
2. Inside Of Me
3. Until The Good Is Gone
4. Men Without Women
5. Under The Gun
6. Save Me
7. Princess Of Little Italy
8. Angel Eyes
9. Forever
10. I’ve Been Waiting

Little Steven And The Disciples Of Soul: Voice Of America (1983)
1. Voice Of America
2. Justice
3. Checkpoint Charlie
4. Solidarity
5. Out Of The Darkness
6. Los Desaparecidos (The Disappeared Ones)
7. Fear
8. I Am A Patriot (And The River Opens For The Righteous)
9. Among The Believers
10. Undefeated (Everybody Goes Home)

Little Steven: Freedom – No Compromise (1987)
1. Freedom
2. Trail Of Broken Treaties
3. Pretoria
4. Bitter Fruit
5. No More Party’s
6. Can’t You Feel The Fire
7. Native American
8. Sanctuary

Little Steven: Revolution (1989)
1. Revolution (Deluxe Edition)
2. Where Do We Go From Here
3. Revolution
4. Education
5. Balance
6. Love and Forgiveness
7. Newspeak
8. Sexy
9. Leonard Peltier
10. Liberation Theology
11. Discipline

Little Steven Van Zandt: Born Again Savage (1999) – 2 x LP
1. Born Again Savage
2. Camouflage of Righteousness
3. Guns, Drugs, And Gasoline
4. Face of God
5. Saint Francis
6. Salvation
7. Organize
8. Flesheater
9. Lust for Enlightenment
10. Tongues of Angels

Artists United Against Apartheid: Sun City (1985)
1. Sun City
2. No More Apartheid
3. Revolutionary Situation
4. Sun City (Version II) (Edit)
5. Let Me See Your I.D.
6. The Struggle Continues
7. Silver And Gold
BONUS TRACKS (4 CD):

Disc 1: Men Without Women (And Before)
1. RockNRoll Rebel (Previously Unreleased – Studio Track – 1983) – Little Steven
2. Who Told You? (Previously Unreleased – Gulliver’s Pub – Red Bank, NJ – June 15, 1973) – Southside Johnny and The Kid
3. That’s How It Feels (Previously Unreleased – Stone Pony – Asbury Park, NJ – May 30, 1976) – Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes
4. When You Dance (Previously Unreleased – Rehearsal – Mono – 1976) – Asbury Jukes
5. Little Darlin’ (Previously Unreleased – Stone Pony Rehearsal – Mono – 1977) – Asbury Jukes
6. Ain’t No Lady (Previously Unreleased – Stone Pony Rehearsal – Mono – 1977) – Asbury Jukes
7. Love On The Wrong Side of Town (Previously Unreleased – Stone Pony Rehearsal – Mono – 1977) – Asbury Jukes
8. Little Girl So Fine (Previously Unreleased – Rehearsal – Mono – 1976) – Asbury Jukes
9. Some Things Just Don’t Change (Previously Unreleased – Stone Pony Rehearsal – Mono – 1977) – Asbury Jukes
10. She Got Me Where She Wants Me (Previously Unreleased – Stone Pony Rehearsal – Mono – 1977) – Asbury Jukes
11. Men Without Women Radio Spot (1982)
12. Angel Eyes (Previously Unreleased – Britt Row Version – 1982) – Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul
13. Forever (Previously Unreleased – Britt Row Version – 1982) – Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul
14. Until The Good Is Gone (Previously Unreleased – Britt Row Version – 1982) – Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul
15. I’ve Been Waiting (Previously Unreleased – Early Version – 1982) – Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul with Southside Johnny
16. Caravan (7” single – 1982) – Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul
17. Save Me (Previously Unreleased – Peppermint Lounge – New York, NY – July 18, 1982) – Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul
18. Time (Previously Unreleased – Studio Track – 1982) – Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul

Disc 2: Voice Of America
1. This Time It’s For Real (Previously Unreleased – Marquee Club – London, UK – October 18, 1982/Peppermint Lounge – New York, NY – July 18, 1982) – Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul
2. It’s Possible (Previously Unreleased – Studio Track – Mono – Date Unknown) – Little Steven
3. Vote! (That Mutha Out) (12” single – 1984) – Little Steven
4. Vote! Part II (Previously Unreleased – Rap Version – 1984) – Little Steven
5. Vote! Part III (After World War III) (Rap Version – 12” single – 1984) – Little Steven
6. Vote! Part IV (Instrumental) (12” single – 1984) – Little Steven
7. Vote! Part V (Previously Unreleased – Rap Version – 1984)
8. Caravan (Previously Unreleased – Marquee Club – London, UK – October 18, 1982) – Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul
9. I Don’t Want To Go Home (Previously Unreleased – Marquee Club – London, UK – October 18, 1982) – Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul
10. US Festival Radio Spot (1983)
11. Alive For The First Time (Previously Unreleased – Writing Session, The Birth of a Song – 1983)- Little Steven
12. Voice of America Radio Spot (1984)
13. Out Of The Darkness (12” single – 1984) – Little Steven
14. Inside Of Me (Previously Unreleased – French TV – 1983) – Little Steven

Disc 3: Sun City
1. Let Me See Your I.D. (Extended Mix – 12” single – 1985) – Artists United Against Apartheid
2. Let Me See Your I.D. (Extended Street Mix – 12” single – 1985) – Artists United Against Apartheid
3. Let Me See Your I.D. (Beat And Scratch Mix – 12” single – 1985) – Artists United Against Apartheid
4. Not So Far Away (Dub Mix – UK 12” single – 1985) – Artists United Against Apartheid
5. Sun City (Last Remix – UK 12” single – 1985) – Artists United Against Apartheid
6. Soweto Nights (Previously Unreleased – 1985) – Artists United Against Apartheid
7. The Struggle Continues (Previously Unreleased – Extra Miles Davis Version – 1985) – Artists United Against Apartheid
* All songs on DISC 3: SUN CITY published by Amandla Music (A Non-Profit Company)

Disc 4: Freedom – No Compromise, Revolution (And Later)
1. Bitter Fruit (With Rubén Blades – Cana No Mas Dub Mix – UK 12” single – 1987) – Little Steven
2. Bitter Fruit (With Rubén Blades – No Pasaran Mix – UK 12” single – 1987) – Little Steven
3. Bitter Fruit (With Rubén Blades – Platano Quemado Mix with Steel Drums – UK 12” single – 1987) – Little Steven
4. Fruta Amarga (With Rubén Blades – Spanish 12” single – 1987) – Little Steven
5. No More Partys (For Those About To Party…) (Rock Mix – 12” single – 1987) – Little Steven
6. No More Partys (Funky Party Edit) (R&B Mix – UK 7” single – 1987) – Little Steven
7. Vote Jesse In (Previously Unreleased – Jesse Jackson Campaign Song – 1988) – Little Steven
8. Revolution (Naked City Mix – UK 12”single – 1989) – Little Steven
9. Revolution (Naked City Mix Part 2 – Maceo’s Thang – UK 12” single- 1989) – Little Steven
10. I Wish It Would Rain (Previously Unreleased – Vin Scelsa Hungerthon – 1995) – Little Steven, Southside Johnny, Rusty Cloud, Bobby Bandiera, David Hayes
11. Princess Of Little Italy (Previously Unreleased – Vin Scelsa Hungerthon – 1995) – Little Steven, Rusty Cloud, Bobby Bandiera, David Hayes
12. It’s Been A Long Time (Previously Unreleased – Solo Acoustic – 2019) – Little Steven

* * * * *

Digital Deluxe Edition Releases

Little Steven And The Disciples Of Soul: Men Without Women (1982)

1. Lyin’ In A Bed Of Fire
2. Inside Of Me
3. Until The Good Is Gone
4. Men Without Women
5. Under The Gun
6. Save Me
7. Princess Of Little Italy
8. Angel Eyes
9. Forever
10. I’ve Been Waiting
11. Men Without Women Radio Spot (1982)
12. Angel Eyes (Previously Unreleased – Britt Row Version – 1982)
13. Forever (Previously Unreleased – Britt Row Version – 1982)
14. Until The Good Is Gone (Previously Unreleased – Britt Row Version – 1982)
15. I’ve Been Waiting (Previously Unreleased – Early Version – 1982) – Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul with Southside Johnny
16. Caravan (7” single – 1982)
17. Save Me (Previously Unreleased – Peppermint Lounge – New York, NY – July 18, 1982)
18. Time (Previously Unreleased – Studio Track – 1982)
19. Princess Of Little Italy (Previously Unreleased – Vin Scelsa Hungerthon – 1995)
20. This Time It’s For Real (Previously Unreleased – Marquee Club – London, UK – October 18, 1982/Peppermint Lounge – New York, NY – July 18, 1982)

Little Steven And The Disciples Of Soul: Voice Of America (1983)
1. Voice Of America
2. Justice
3. Checkpoint Charlie
4. Solidarity
5. Out Of The Darkness
6. Los Desaparecidos (The Disappeared Ones)
7. Fear
8. I Am A Patriot (And The River Opens For The Righteous)
9. Among The Believers
10. Undefeated (Everybody Goes Home)
11. Voice of America Radio Spot (1984)
12. RockNRoll Rebel (Previously Unreleased – Studio Track – 1983) – Little Steven
13. Caravan (Previously Unreleased – Marquee Club – London, UK – October 18, 1982)
14. I Don’t Want To Go Home (Previously Unreleased – Marquee Club – London, UK – October 18, 1982)
15. Alive For The First Time (Previously Unreleased – Writing Session, The Birth of a Song – 1983)- Little Steven
16. Out Of The Darkness (12” single – 1984) – Little Steven
17. Inside Of Me (Previously Unreleased – French TV – 1983) – Little Steven
18. US Festival Radio Spot (1983)
19. It’s Possible (Previously Unreleased – Studio Track – Mono – Date Unknown) – Little Steven
20. Vote! (That Mutha Out) (12” single – 1984) – Little Steven

+ Vote! (1984 Digital Single EP)
1. Vote! (That Mutha Out) (12” single – 1984) – Little Steven
2. Vote! Part II (Previously Unreleased – Rap Version – 1984) – Little Steven
3. Vote! Part III (After World War III) (Rap Version – 12” single – 1984) – Little Steven
4. Vote! Part IV (Instrumental) (12” single – 1984) – Little Steven
5. Vote! Part V (Previously Unreleased – Rap Version – 1984) – Little Steven

Little Steven: The Early Work (2019)
1. Who Told You? (Previously Unreleased – Gulliver’s Pub – Red Bank, NJ – June 15, 1973) – Southside Johnny and The Kid
2. That’s How It Feels (Previously Unreleased – Stone Pony – Asbury Park, NJ – May 30, 1976) – Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes
3. When You Dance (Previously Unreleased – Rehearsal – Mono – 1976) – Asbury Jukes
4. Little Darlin’ (Previously Unreleased – Stone Pony Rehearsal – Mono – 1977) – Asbury Jukes
5. Ain’t No Lady (Previously Unreleased – Stone Pony Rehearsal – Mono – 1977) – Asbury Jukes
6. Love On The Wrong Side of Town (Previously Unreleased – Stone Pony Rehearsal – Mono – 1977) – Asbury Jukes
7. Little Girl So Fine (Previously Unreleased – Rehearsal – Mono – 1976) – Asbury Jukes
8. Some Things Just Don’t Change (Previously Unreleased – Stone Pony Rehearsal – Mono – 1977) – Asbury Jukes
9. She Got Me Where She Wants Me (Previously Unreleased – Stone Pony Rehearsal – Mono – 1977) – Asbury Jukes
10. I Wish It Would Rain (Previously Unreleased – Vin Scelsa Hungerthon – 1995) – Little Steven, Southside Johnny, Rusty Cloud, Bobby Bandiera, David Hayes

Little Steven: Revolution (1989)
1. Revolution (Deluxe Edition)
2. Where Do We Go From Here
3. Revolution
4. Education
5. Balance
6. Love and Forgiveness
7. Newspeak
8. Sexy
9. Leonard Peltier
10. Liberation Theology
11. Discipline
12. Revolution (Naked City Mix – UK 12”single – 1989)
13. Revolution (Naked City Mix Part 2 – Maceo’s Thang – UK 12” single- 1989)

Little Steven Van Zandt: Born Again Savage (1999)
1. Born Again Savage
2. Camouflage of Righteousness
3. Guns, Drugs, And Gasoline
4. Face of God
5. Saint Francis
6. Salvation
7. Organize
8. Flesheater
9. Lust for Enlightenment
10. Tongues of Angels
11. It’s Been A Long Time (Previously Unreleased – Solo Acoustic – 2019)

Little Steven: Freedom – No Compromise (1987)
1. Freedom
2. Trail Of Broken Treaties
3. Pretoria
4. Bitter Fruit
5. No More Party’s
6. Can’t You Feel The Fire
7. Native American
8. Sanctuary
9. Bitter Fruit (With Rubén Blades – Cana No Mas Dub Mix – UK 12” single – 1987)
10. Fruta Amarga (With Rubén Blades – Spanish 12” single – 1987)
11. No More Partys (For Those About To Party…) (Rock Mix – 12” single – 1987)
12. No More Partys (Funky Party Edit) (R&B Mix – UK 7” single – 1987)
13. Vote Jesse In (Previously Unreleased – Jesse Jackson Campaign Song – 1988)

+ Bitter Fruit (1987 Digital Single EP)
1. Bitter Fruit (With Rubén Blades – Cana No Mas Dub Mix – UK 12” single – 1987)
2. Bitter Fruit (With Rubén Blades – No Pasaran Mix – UK 12” single – 1987)
3. Bitter Fruit (With Rubén Blades – Platano Quemado Mix with Steel Drums – UK 12” single – 1987)
4. No More Partys (For Those About To Party…) (Rock Mix – 12” single – 1987)
5. No More Partys (Funky Party Edit) (R&B Mix – UK 7” single – 1987)

Artists United Against Apartheid: Sun City (1985)
1. Sun City
2. No More Apartheid
3. Revolutionary Situation
4. Sun City (Version II) (Edit)
5. Let Me See Your I.D.
6. The Struggle Continues
7. Silver And Gold
8. Soweto Nights (Previously Unreleased – 1985)
9. The Struggle Continues (Previously Unreleased – Extra Miles Davis Version – 1985)
10. Not So Far Away (Dub Mix – UK 12” single – 1985)
11. Sun City (Last Remix – UK 12” single – 1985)

+ Let Me See Your ID (1985 Digital Single EP)
1. Let Me See Your ID (Extended Mix – 12” Single – 1985)
2. Let Me See Your ID (Extended Street Mix – 12” Single – 1985)
3. Let Me See Your ID (Beat And Scratch Mix – 12” Single – 1985)

* All songs on Sun City published by Amandla Music (A Non-Profit Company)

Format: UK English