<P> The band gets its start at a Somers Point , New Jersey club called Tony Mart 's . Not adept at writing lyrics , Eddie hires Frank Ridgeway ( Tom Berenger ) aka `` Wordman '' to be the band 's keyboard player and lyricist , over the protests of band manager Doc Robbins ( Joe Pantoliano ) and bassist Sal Amato ( Matthew Laurance ) . Rounding out the Cruisers are saxophonist Wendell Newton ( Michael `` Tunes '' Antunes ) , background singer and Eddie 's girlfriend Joann Carlino ( Helen Schneider ) , and drummer Kenny Hopkins ( David Wilson ) . </P>
who played the music for eddie and the cruisers
Frank Ridgeway Sal Amato Wendell Newton Joann Carlino Kenny Hopkins