Al Noble: I have the distinct honor
of being the first guy arrested at the door of Tony Marts for an
under age false ID at the beginning of the 1963 season. It was
Easter weekend, when the Bar's would open up and then close until
the Summer. We came down from College near Philly, drinking warm
Beer (Fallstaff quarts, I think), to get drunk, and save money in
the bars. Anyhow, I didn't look anything like the picture on
the ID. I was thrown in the Somers Point Jail, where I spent the
entire weekend, plus a few days. No money to bail me out until my
Buddies got back to Philly and the Banks opened up. At the Court
appearance the Judge told me to tell all my Buddies that they
wouldn't tolerate incidents like this in the future. He fined me
$50. After I turned 21 I had many fabulous times at the
Point/Dunes. The incident didn't effect my status as an Officer in
the Air Force as I was Commissioned and sent to Nam. (They needed
Officers then, so were willing to overlook less than perfect
records). Anyhow, will always remember those times at the shore as
some of the best times of my life.
Ted Cahill: I was in a band called
the Magic Mushrooms that played Tony Marts in the Summer of 1966 or
1967. Wondering if anyone is around who was there the, and
also wondering if there was any memorabilia left from that time
period. I know Tony was around there, our manager was Sonny Casella,
and we were out of Philadelphia. We did a lot of the British
music before it was released here, and we also kind of tore up the
stage at the end of our shows. We were there until we got on Tony's
bad side, and walked. I have fond memories living above the
bar. It was the ultimate for a 19 year old. Just wondering.
Duke Kiesel: From Pittsburgh Central
Catholic High,1945. Visited Bay Shores & TMs/Late 40s early
50s/ Grace Kelly & Lizanne there / bartend. Frank Sheey ??
Friends George/Nancy McAllister home Longport / Married Peggy
McSorley / where is
Sheehy???
Tom McCloud: It was one of the
most memorable & wonderful times of my life. The year was 1970.
I lived at the Old A House in Ocean city, worked at Sim's Restaurant
where I met my amazing wife of 40 years, drank Harvey Wall Bangers,
and danced to great bands every chance I had at Tony Mart's w/ my
good friends from upper New York state. We drove to concerts at the
Wildwood Convention Center featuring some of the greats like Elton
John, Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, Red Bone, Doug Hicks & his Hot
Licks, etc. Thanks for the wonderful memories. Your friend forever,
Tom McCloud
Kathy Staats Accardi: I loved the
show in Ocean City this past Sunday. My parents who are now living
in Florida are always talking about the great times they had at Tony
Marts. Do you guys have a cd - you were all phenomenal. I have
joined your mailing list and are looking forward to future events.
Bob Hoffman: Enjoyed the Tony Marts
Allstars on Aug 18th celebrated my 60th birthday. Great show. Are
planning to release a cd. Your band is great
.
Lee Martin: Friday nights reunion
party at the Boatyard was a smashing success, The weather was
beautiful and of course the music was fantastic. Thanks to the Elks
and Carmen and Nancy for a very special night. The food was
excellent and I never tasted better potato or macaroni salads.
I'm looking forward to the next get together. Everyone should
come out and relive great old times and feel a wee bit younger
again.
Danny Charles: I read these stories
and most talk about the early years and the later years. I
played at Tony Mart's in '62 and '63. Our band was the
Roof-Toppers. I played bass. Other bands in that era were -
The Fall Guys, The Kit Kats, Pete Carrol and the Carrol Brothers,
Jack and the Beanstalks, The Four Fables, The Emcees, Bobby Brown
and the Curios, And many, many more. We would work the whole
season. Remember Charlie's snack stand in the back? I'd ask
for a meatball sandwich and he'd ask, "You want two?" We lived
upstairs all summer. Best years of my life. We then went to
play at the Dune's . I loved the crowds, the bouncers, the
Point Diner, the whole deal.
Harry Wallace: I was with the
Monkeymen during their 2 summer reign at Bay Shores, I think 67
and 68. Sam, James, Ricky, Bobby and and myself Harry then in
68 Fred Morris on drums in. Great times stayed the Anchorage
one year and some motel the next. Played at the Dunes
with the The Insects I think and Johnny Caswell to start then moved
up to Bay Shores. Played with Malcohm and the Bonnevilles one
of those years. Sam and Bobby have passed. Fred, James
and I are still here.....have no idea why! They were the
fastest times of our lives and will never forget. After the
Dunes we would drink beer and played pool at O'Burns which was on
the way to the Dunes. The Monkeymen had one record under the
name The Luv Bandits. We had to use that name because The
Monkees were hot then and the label was afraid of being sued.
Google The Luv Bandits if you want to hear it. James and I
also did a few albums later Google CDbaby and look for The Monkeymen
Then and Now or Google The Monkeymen or Itunes.
Lee Martin: I just want to thank
Carmen again for allowing me to be small part of Tony Mart's
history. Steve Wright (another alumnus 7yrs!) were at the
reunion concert Aug 18th. We thoroughly enjoyed it.
We're looking forward to Sept.. We hope to see many of you
there. When I worked at the Mart my first summer in 1981,
there was a barmaid named Tracy. We "affectionately" referred
to her as Weaselina. I hope she has been having a good and
happy life. No hard feelings? We were all young
and crazy. Unfortunately some of our Tony Marts family are
gone now and they are missed. They will never be forgotten.
Every night was a loud, rowdy, sweaty, sometimes rude rock 'n roll
adventure. It would be great if we could see more of the
people from that era. Joe Stone where are you? Rosine
and Heidi no love for us anymore? Come on back to revisit the
best days of our lives, We won't be carding.
Susan Rumer Peifer: Just got home
from the music pier, what a FABULOUS show!!!!!!So much talent. Loved
it.
Jim and Maureen Bigley: Just a short
note to let you know we loved the beach concert on Fri night. The
Midiri brothers and other musicians were fantastic. We didn't
think it could be topped until we went to the show at the Music Pier
on Saturday night. Wow! Wow! Wow! It was great.
I have watched shows on WHYY which are fund raisers using the rock
music from the 50's and 60's and yours was better. Those guys
are fantastic. I am sorry we missed the 1 hour 10 minutes you
had to cut out. I would love to hear that also. Looking
forward to seeing this show again. Congratulations to you and
all the musicians for a great show. My sister-in-law grew up
in the big band era and she came with us. Her comment was this
was not even my music and it was wonderful.
Tom Kennedy: Underage as usual we
crashed Bay Shores on a Labor Day Weekend some time between 1961-63.
The entire place was drunk including the staff and the dance floor
was underwater! Suddenly through the front doors came a guy on
a motorcycle spinning his way over the dance floor. Of course
everyone who could still think found it cool except the police.
Off in our AH Sprites, MGB's and Triumphs to another spot.
Greatest summers ever! Indian Madras from head to toe!!! We might
have been living in "dry" Ocean City but once you got a ride
over the Causeway it was Bad to the Bone!
Don "Duke" Leisey: Hi Carmen, Just a
note to let you know that I enjoyed seeing you again at the Chicago
Concert on May 25. It brought back great memories of more than
50 years ago! Sorry I am unable to attend the anniversary
concerts this summer. Here's wishing you and all the Tony
Mart's alumni an enjoyable and memorable time at the concerts.
~ Best wishes, Don "Duke" Leisey
Cindy (Regan) Arbogast-Royer: I was
a cocktail waitress at TM's in 1970. It was the best summer of
my life. I met lots of people and never saw them again.
There was a band from Philly, the lead singer was Gregory. If
I could find him, I could find some friends, I just don't know last
names.
Leon Estep: I played at Tony Marts
the last summer in a band called Pressure along with Shotgun. Our
big thing was Syd, who did his Jimmy Hendrix set.
Jack Littley: In the summer of
68, I had just broken up with my long time girl friend. Tony's kept
me from dying of loneliness. The summer was great. Gunther's Bus was
the headliner. The summer closed with Oliver singing Good Morning
Starshine and Jean. I got the girl back, we got married and still
are. Thanks to Tony's for saving me.
Joe Seddon: Joe Seddon here, lead
singer and guitarist for Plymouth Rock which consisted of Frank
Appice on drums (Carmine Appice`s cousin), Ron Lovett on bass, Allen
Weber on sax. I played Somers Point during the 60`s and shared the
stages with such good buddies as Johnny Caswell and The Crystal
Mansion, Ray Sharp and The Soul Set and many more. This is where i
met Levon Helm and The Hawks. A great band that later became The
Band. At one point i left The Sterling Brothers, my earlier
group, featuring myself and Mark Hutchinson, and joined Sam Allen
and The Monkey Men. Sam and the guys worked opposite The Sterling
Brothers Band at the Satellite Lounge in Wrightstown, N. J. many
times. It was fun stuff building that cage, and hard work. My friend
Roy Buchanon took my place with the Monkey Men when i left for
Hollywood. Roy was my inspiration. I`d visit the old Dick Lees when
he was with The Temps and we became friends via those meetings. I
was 16 at our first meeting. Dave White from The Mansion was also my
producer for Mercury Records along with Johnny Madera. Caswell was
also with the label, thus we ended up at Bayshores, The Dunes and
Tony Marts. Lots of terrific times, blasting bands and endless fun.
Late hours, some wild and crazy people who stomped it out there, and
it was magical. Sea breezes and cheap beers! Time has changed much
of that but the memories linger. I still record, have several albums
online and miss the good old days at " The Mart. " As a
matter of fact, i`ll be eating lunch at the Point Diner shortly and
walking the boards, passing by what was once the hottest spot at the
shore. My best to all who worked there. " Joe
"
Drew Antonelli: I tended bar for
Tony 1967 thru 1970, some of the greatest memories I have ever
experienced in my lifetime, thru a very trying time in our country.
Ricky and The Rockets, The Fenderman, Gunthers Bus, and many more
house bands that Tony would bring in , they were all great Rock and
Roll bands and could make a big name for themselves as long as
they followed Tony's mentoring as to What to play , how loud,
soft or long to play, and believe me if they did not listen to Tony
they were not there long. Tony had a real feel for what the customer
wanted and that was evident every night the place was packed. I did
not stay in the business but if you learned from Tony Marotta you
received a Masters degree in "Club" . He was a wonderful man that I
admired and is often in my thoughts and prayers. I am so glad that
Carmen is keeping his name going.
Lee Martin: I worked the last two
summers and the last winter at The Mart. We had a great time and I
made some life long friends there. I wish I could find some of
those others. We were brothers in arms. Carmen and Tony
were and are great people. I truly appreciated the way they
welcomed me into their home for dinner and nights of
relaxation. Mrs. Marotta's cooking was tremendous and The Drag
was amazing. The staff was tremendous, Billy D, Slammer, Moon man,
Barry "butlick" Bukowski, Chink, Rocky Horrowitz, Dubie, Joycie Wah,
Dave, Big Ange (who saved me from brain damage), Suzuki ( a
truly inspirational guy), Steve Wright, and of course......
Animal. We had a lot of great times and a lot of great fights.
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