Susan: Just was walking through
memory lane myself and saw this web site, and remembered the day,
Fast Cookies and The Band, as I was Dana's girlfriend for many, many
years and tended bar there. We lived in Ocean City on 5th Street and
the rock and roll days were brought back, thanks for the memories.
Mary Rosell: My prayers go out to
you. I have a lot of happy memories of Tony Mart's. There will never
be anything like it again. Love and prayers.
Don "Duke" Leisey: Thank you for
keeping me on your mailing list. Even though I live in
California, I hope to attend an event sometime in the future. I
worked the door and floor at Tony Mart's during the summer of 1959.
What a fun job! I have many fond memories of working with some
outstanding people, hearing great music, meeting new friends and
having a wonderful summer. Some of the guys I worked with were
Jimmy Valentine, Bob Franz, and Johnie Tatarro. Thanks to those
people who are keeping the Tony Mart's legacy alive.
Candy Coe: I met my husband at Tony
Mart's in 1965 .. Dave Coe .. he was a summer cop working
under Lyn Bader chief of police in SP, I worked on w/e's
across the street from Tony Mart's in Coach's Corner own by Dave
DeFillipo. During our break at midnight .. my girlfriend and I
would go over to TM just to look at all the beautiful people.
We were under age but the bouncer's would let us in for 20 mins.
I didn't care if I had a drink or not ... just being in Tony Mart's
and looking at everyone dancing and laughing and hearing the
bands(like Levon and the Hawks who are now call 'The Band' working
with Paul McCartney) was enough for me. What great memories.
Buddy George Watts: I tended bar
there 1965, 1966, 1967and 1968......what memories!! Soooo many
stories: partying w/ Levon and the Hawks; partying w/ The Four
Reasons; partying w/ Joey Powers and the New Demension.
Playing drums w/ an "in-house" band of bartenders and bouncers whose
name was "The Outhouses" !? We were awful, but, it
sure was fun.
Dee Grigsby Bennett: I worked for
you Carmen as a waitress and bartender the summer of 1981.
Shotgun was the band that summer. I must say that had to be
the best summer of my life! I met so many people and had so
much fun. Thanks for the
memories.
Susan Rumer Peifer: I was a
beautician at the time and did hair for some of the cast of "Eddie &
the Cruisers".
Frank D'Alonzo: I played at Tony
Mart's in the spring and summer of 1973 with The Nace Benner Band,
later to become Airport and the house band at Mother's. I played
with a broken ankle for four weeks, standing on stage with a crutch
or leaning on a chair, which did not make the boss too happy. I
remember after our first audition, he rose up from his seat in the
corner of the room and said, "You guys are good, but what I am I
going to do with all that noise?". We turned down our amps, and he
loved it. What a great memory.
Debbie Battles: Gosh, Tony
Marts was the cleanest, brightest, jumping club I enjoyed
patronizing. It was just fun. They are many very happy memories. My
friends and I would dance all night to the greatest music
ever. When I would walk in the door I was treated as family.
Oh to be young again!. Tony hired the best employees& bartenders, I
felt safe but most of all I felt alive! Thank you for those younger
days that was innocent and free.....Have fun at the reunion.
Rocky Pepino: I played there the
summer of '70 in Mag 7 along with Ricky and the Rockets, great
summer. Also played several other dates for Tony , he always
called us BUMS. Played again the summer of '74 with Tangent,
that's when
I met my darling wife Barb.
Jamie Kesdekian: I still think about
Tony Marts. I am now 52. I started hanging there with my crowd from
Marple-Newtown in the 70s, we all had summer homes in OC. We went
every night in the summers until they closed. I loved the Bop Shoo
Bops and Carlos the singer was so cute. Where is he now? Never went
to Bay Shores, not as much fun. I have a couple pictures. I have to
find them.
Jerry Contento: I am 49 years old
and Tony Mart's was my home away from home. I loved it. I wish
I could have seen it in the mid '60s, my favorite period fro music
and movies.
Danny Evans: I played drums at Tony
Mart's bar with the Playboys (1957-58). What a great place! I
recall the continuous music - one band going off stage and another
coming on. One of my most memorable moments is when we would leave
the bar, while playing, and going across the street to the Bay
Shores while continuing to play and drawing some of the Bay Shores
crowd into Tony Mart's. Also recall playing there at the same time
that the now famous Frankie Avalon was playing at Bay Shores. He was
a trumpet player at the time. These were memorable times during my
teenage years and I was saddened when I returned there years later
to show my wife where I played only to find that Tony Mart's no
longer existed. I enjoyed it while it lasted. If anyone who reads
this story has pictures of our group I would appreciate hearing from
them.
Paul Barkley: Was the greatest nite
club ever. The music and the atmosphere was incredible. I just wish
it could be rebuilt to it's original grandeur on the same exact site
and get that ungodly building on the property removed. Tony Marts
was an icon and always will be.
Tom Levin: TONY MART'S is a real
South Jersey legend...I remember it fondly...I started going there
when I turned 21 in 1967...as you entered, the music greeted
you...then there were the lights...the people...the energy...the
beat...the excitement...the drinks...Tony Mart (sitting at the bar
"hosting" the festivities)...all made the experience
UNFORGETTABLE... and UNFORGETTABLE is probably the best one-word
description there is of this revered, truly one-of-kind, South
Jersey institution !!!
John Shetron: Around 1979 or 1980,
there was a band called, Fast Cookies? That played at the mart. the
lead guitarist was black and left handed and did amazing covers of
Jimi Hendrix. Do I have the name of the band correct? Does anyone
else remember this band and the incredible guitar player?
Tony Marts Replied:
Yes, I remember them very well and talk about them often. In
fact, my brother, Tony Mart Jr and I were just talking about that
band. The black guitar player was named Sid and there was
another guitar player, Bobby Noble, and the bass player/leader Dana
Nuccio.
Tony and I agree with you. They were an excellent rock band.
I'd like to talk with you about this more. Try to come to a
Tony Mart gig or a Somers Point Beach Concert, which we produce with
a municipal committee.
You should definitely try to see Billy Walton who does phenomenal
Hendrix guitar solos. He's on the beach with his band on
Friday, June 25th and at Sandi Pointe Bistro for a Tony Mart gig on
Friday, July 23rd.
Check our Live
Events page for more info on lots of great live music.
Look forward to meeting you and speaking.
Thank you,
Carmen Marotta
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Bruce Balderson: Tony
Marts was a great place for music and meeting friends. I was there.
I was lucky to get and still have some memorabilia from those great
years. Reviewing your website brought back many memorable moments.
Thanks.
Johnny Steeb: Went to school at
Pleasantville High, we use to cruise by every Saturday night we
loved to listen to the music. The Circle Liquor Store was
right across the street. It's been a long time now so I am
trying to remember, but I think we did go in the and dance once or
twice. Also, we went into the Silk Hat which is gone as well.
Ocean City was the next
stop over the bridge. I trying to remember also if OC had the
Blue Law or not..No Liquor..not sure...but they were the days. I was
at Pleasantville from 1952-1956. And you are great they were the
best years ever..I liked to go back to those days again.
