Asbury Park, N.J. — Supporters of a legendary New Jersey night club that was a favorite haunt of Bruce Springsteen have launched a campaign to save the rock 'n' roll landmark from the wrecking ball.
The Stone Pony is in the way of a proposed oceanfront redevelopment plan that would build a series of condominiums on the site.
Supporters of The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, N.J., are launching a campaign to prevent the famous venue from being bought out and relocated as part of Asbury Park's redevelopment efforts. The club took on legendary status during its heyday as a home for Bruce Springsteen and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. Patrons in this 1998 file photo wait outside the bar.
Preliminary plans by developer Ocean Front Acquisitions call for the demolition of the building, but the city and the nightclub's supporters may be able to persuade the company not to raze it, according to City Councilwoman Kate Mellina.
About 100 supporters gathered for a rally Thursday to save The Stone Pony.
The squat, windowless building has played host to both stars and unknowns since it was renamed The Stone Pony in 1974, including Southside Johnny, Bo Diddley, The Kinks, Joan Jett, Dion, Cheap Trick, The Pretenders and dozens of others.
Glamorous, it wasn't: With black walls, wires hanging from the ceiling and a dance floor that backed right up to the stage, The Stone Pony typified the seaside dives that New Jersey native Springsteen wrote of early in his career.
"It's a corner bar, that's all it is," said Tony Amato, a local musician who performs there regularly. "But for the people who have played here, it's the most tremendous bar that's ever been put on the face of the earth."
Last August, a New York company called M.D. Sass Municipal Finance Partners III bought out a bankrupt Connecticut developer whose oceanfront plans for Asbury Park went bust in 1992.
M.D. Sass, which paid $7.4 million for redevelopment rights and $6.5 million for back taxes on the properties, has since designated Ocean Front Acquisitions as its redevelopment agent.
Larry Fishman, chief operating officer of Ocean Front, has said his group would see if it was possible to leave the nightclub where it is.
Jersey City restaurateur Domenic Santana, who bought the club two years ago, said he has been offered $2.8 million for the property. No sale, he says.
"There is no dollar value on an icon that means so much to American rock 'n' roll," he told about 100 supporters who gathered for Thursday's rally. "Read my lips: Hell no, we won't go. Over my dead body!"
Springsteen bandmate Little Steven Van Zandt echoed that sentiment.
"It has an important place in history and is a great source of pride for the state of New Jersey as well as being an international tourist attraction," he said in a statement. "Leave it where it is."
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