🌴 The Birth of

The 1970s AM Radio Show by Jungle Habitat

After returning to the stage in 2022, Joe Gills noticed something about his audiences: while they loved the 80s anthems, they lit up when the band played late-70s songs. It hit him — no one was celebrating the real AM radio hits, the music everyone grew up singing in the back seat of a station wagon.

Joe envisioned a show built around that feel-good nostalgia and named it after Jungle Habitat, the legendary defunct New Jersey safari park once infamous for its wild stories — and its escaped baboons near Joe’s own neighborhood.

When Joe pitched the idea to Chris Krempa, his Action Park bass player, Chris joked, “You mean like Zeppelin or The Who?” Joe laughed: “No — like Shaun Cassidy and the Bay City Rollers.”

And that spark became The 1970s AM Radio Show by Jungle Habitat — where every song feels like 1978s summer on the dial.

Introducing: The Jungle Habitat ’70s Band

Joe Gills – Showman, Guitar, Co-Creator
“The Man of a Thousand Costumes and a Hundred Voices — Mr. Entertainment Himself, Joe Gills.” – Jon Weisgal, Action Park

Joe Gills has been performing since his teens, when his band The Jersey Cruisers played nearly 300 shows across NJ, NY, and CT — from bars and backyard parties to school dances. Influenced by The Stray Cats, Springsteen, and Bryan Adams, he later formed Slap 5s, a country-punk act that even hit stages like CBGB.

After years away focusing on family and business, Joe returned in 2019 as The King of Smule, gaining thousands of fans online with his theatrical performances and wild costumes. In 2022, he rejoined the stage in his father’s 1950s Rock & Roll Show and soon after created the Action Park ’80s Band. Now, with bassist Chris Krempa, Joe brings audiences The Jungle Habitat ’70s Band — a lively, nostalgic celebration of the music that defined a generation.

Chris Krempa – Bass, Vocals, Band Leader, Co-Creator
A fixture in the NJ music scene since the ’80s, Chris has performed with Backtalk, Group Therapy, That’s What She Said, Bing Bang Boom!, and The Action Park Band. When he joined forces with Joe Gills, he embraced the show’s immersive approach: not just playing the songs, but becoming them.

“People take photos like it’s a full production — and that’s the goal,” Chris says. “We’re giving people a reason to dance, smile, and remember.”
He adds with a grin, “Honestly, I think Joe just needed an excuse to wear his ’70s costumes. He pitched the idea, and I was in.”

Fun Fact: Chris’s uncle once played keys with Joe’s father’s ’50s show Reminisce — proving showbiz runs in both families.

Tommy Hart – Lead Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
A guitarist since age 12, Tommy studied under legends like Jimmy Bruno, Grammy-winner Jason Vieaux, and shred masters Paul Gilbert and Greg Howe. He’s performed with The Nortons, That’s What She Said, Back Talk, The Wizards of Winter, and Les McKeown’s Bay City Rollers.
“I’m thrilled to be part of Jungle Habitat,” Tommy says. “It’s a blast reliving the ’70s music that made me want to play guitar in the first place.”

John Bonner – Drums & Song Arrangements
With over 30 years of experience, John has powered bands like Invader, Backtalk, Slow Children at Play, and Bing Bang Boom. His energetic drumming and creative arrangements give Jungle Habitat its rhythmic pulse.
“I love bringing back these classic hits,” John says. “It’s the music that made people move & still does.”

🎸 Joe Gills

Showman • Guitar • Co-Creator
Joe Gills has been performing since his teens, when his band The Jersey Cruisers played nearly 300 shows across NJ, NY, and CT. Influenced by artists like Springsteen, Bryan Adams, and The Stray Cats, he later formed The Slap 5’s, an original country-punk act that performed at legendary venues including CBGB.
After years away focused on family and business, Joe returned to music with renewed energy and vision. He is the creator and frontman of The Jungle Habitat ’70s Band, delivering theatrical, high-energy performances that bring 1970s AM radio hits vividly back to life.

🎸 Chris Krempa

Bass • Vocals • Band Leader • Co-Creator
A fixture in the New Jersey music scene since the 1980s, Chris Krempa has performed with Backtalk, Group Therapy, That’s What She Said, Bing Bang Boom!, and The Action Park Band. As co-creator of Jungle Habitat, Chris embraces the show’s immersive philosophy — not just playing the music, but becoming it.
“People take photos like it’s a full production — and that’s the goal,” Chris says. “We’re giving people a reason to dance, smile, and remember.”

🎸 Tommy Hart

Lead Guitar • Keyboards • Vocals
Tommy Hart has been playing guitar since age 12 and studied under renowned musicians including Jimmy Bruno, Grammy-winner Jason Vieaux, Paul Gilbert, and Greg Howe. His career includes performances with The Nortons, Back Talk, The Wizards of Winter, and Les McKeown’s Bay City Rollers.
“I’m thrilled to be part of Jungle Habitat,” Tommy says. “It’s a blast reliving the ’70s music that made me want to play guitar in the first place.”

🥁 John Bonner

Drums • Song Arrangements
With over 30 years of experience, John Bonner has powered bands such as Invader, Backtalk, Slow Children at Play, and Bing Bang Boom. His energetic drumming and creative arrangements give Jungle Habitat its rhythmic drive and authentic ’70s feel.
“I love bringing back these classic hits,” John says. “It’s the music that made people move — and still does.”