WHY THE SUMMER OF 65 was So IMPORTANT
in the MUSICAL HISTORY of TONY MART'S..
in SOMERS POINT...THE WORLD!
Evolving from a
small bayside tavern, The Tony Mart Cafe
became the legendary rock n’ roll club
of the Jersey shore for almost 40 years.
Tony Mart’s was a window into the
evolutionary popular music from late
Swing through the golden years of rock
n’ roll in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s; And
on to the new wave sounds of the early
80’s, and ultimately, the classic cult
movie, “Eddie and the Cruisers” which
immortalized Tony Mart’s as a rock n’
roll institution.
Depending on your era from 1945 until
it’s close in 1982, Tony Mart’s was
known by many monikers.
“Showplace of the World”
“Where friends Meet”
“The Mart”
“Smiling Tony’s”
The owner and founder, Anthony Marotta
Sr., described it as “not just a
nightclub.....it’s an institution!”
Anthony Marotta Sr. Was an enterprising
Sicilian American immigrant who bought “
Schick’s Tavern” On Bay Avenue in Somers
Point in 1944. He enlarged and remodeled
it and grew the establishment into one
of the most famous, exciting and
historically important rock n’ roll
nightclubs on the east coast of the
United States. From Post World War II
Roots as a tavern and piano bar, it
became a place for local combos and
friendly entertainment with drinks and
sandwiches served by “Smiling Tony”.
Through the late swing era and the
inception of rock n’ roll, it enjoyed
wildly popular years into its golden era
(1960-1965) with national celebrities
such as Conway Twitty, Bill Haley and
the Comets, Duane Eddy and Del Shannon;
then evolving with the music through the
British Invasion, Soul, psychedelic
rock, disco, funk, new wave, punk, and
several rock n’roll revivals. Tony
Mart’s provided South Jersey with an
amazing picture window into the
evolution of American pop music. it was
one of the most legendary and acclaimed
rock n’ roll nightclubs of our lifetime.
Among other events in its illustrious 38
year history, Tony Mart’s enshrined
it’s place in rock n’ roll history when
Bob Dylan “discovered” “Levon and The
Hawks in 1965 beginning the recording
career of THE BAND.
In May 1982, the popular rock n’ roll
cult classic movie, “ Eddie and the
Cruisers” was filmed in the final year
of this rock n’ roll mecca.
Recently we have intensified the
production of Tony Mart events including
classic rock tributes and blues
concerts, celebrations and reunions
reviving the legacy of the South Jersey
rock n’ roll institution and providing
parties
for guests, patrons, friends and
employees to share their reminiscences
together while we lead the production of
the increasingly famous Concerts on the
Beach in Somers Point.
We sincerely invite you to indulge in
and add to the memories on this website
and join us at one of our future
gatherings to savor our stories and
recollections and help us keep the
spirit of Tony Mart’s alive.
