Coastal Conversations
For decades, Tony Mart’s stood as one of the Jersey Shore’s premier entertainment destinations, attracting nationally known performers and becoming a favorite gathering place for locals and visitors alike. Much of that success can be credited to Carmen Marotta, whose vision, dedication and passion for live entertainment helped make the Somers Point landmark a household name throughout South Jersey.
Today, Carmen is the visionary behind the Somers Point Beach Concert Series. For more than 30 years, he has helped transform a small-town summer tradition into a nationally recognized concert destination. Through his passion for live music and his connection to the area’s rich entertainment history, Marotta has brought world-class performers to the shores of Somers Point while keeping the concerts free and accessible to the community. Carmen looks back on the golden era of Tony Mart’s, sharing memories of the entertainers who graced its stage and the special atmosphere that kept audiences coming back year after year.
AS: How did you first become involved with Tony Mart’s, and what was your role in helping make it a Jersey Shore landmark?
CM: I was literally born living in the apartment over top of the front of Tony Mart’s in 1956 when the music scene was emerging from swing into early rock ‘n’ roll. It was my playground. As we grew into our teens, we were a part of it, as it was the small family business run by my father, Anthony “Tony Mart” Marotta, and all of his friends and fellow workers from the Italian American communities of Ducktown and South Philadelphia. My grandparents, Ventura and Basile from Ducktown, raised us in that apartment above Tony Mart’s and regularly fed all of the Tony Mart staff. My grandmother was such a great cook.
AS: What was the secret to attracting crowds, and what acts particularly stand out in your memory?
CM: The secret was always being on the cutting edge of what was happening as swing music evolved into rock ‘n’ roll and the music of Alan Toussaint, Fats Domino and Little Richard came northward. The greatest band that ever played at Tony Mart’s was a band called Levon and the Hawks, sent by then-rockabilly country music star Conway Twitty and taken away in August 1965 by Bob Dylan to become The Band. There was also an incredible cavalcade of major stars: Bill Haley, Conway Twitty, Del Shannon when “Runaway” was on the charts, Joey Dee and the Starliters when “Peppermint Twist” was happening, and great American rocker Duane Eddy and the Rebels. This kind of superb and exciting entertainment was the catalyst for the good times.
AS: Do you have a favorite behind-the-scenes story that captures the spirit of Tony Mart’s?
CM: One day, the old wooden phone booth in the back of the club rang and it was Bob Dylan asking for Levon Helm. After the call, Levon went back to my father and said that the Albert Grossman organization wanted to hire them away and bring them to New York to perform with Dylan. Dad allowed them to leave that Sunday night, approximately Aug. 19, 1965, and we had a party and a cake for our beloved Levon and the Hawks. Dad then made some calls and got Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels to finish the season. The next thing we heard from Levon and the Hawks was “Music From Big Pink” two or three years later. Tony Mart’s was always a porthole on the evolution of American music.
AS: Why do you think Tony Mart’s legacy continues to resonate with so many people today?
CM: It was a little bawdy, very wild, and absolutely enrapturing, to the point where people cried on Labor Day weekend because a fabulous summer at Tony Mart’s was coming to an end. So many people remember meeting each other at Tony Mart’s. Now these stories are told by this generation’s parents, who relate to their children how much that summertime Shore party was the best [time] of everyone’s lives, and they love to remember them.
AS: Looking back, what are you most proud of?
CM: We are most proud of the fact that we have been able to celebrate our lives in such a meaningful way by supporting the musical community and providing venues and events for the people that are free and joyous. We love the music, the musicians and the fans who are mostly our friends. It’s a Jersey Shore legacy and the celebration of our summertime lives.
AS: What’s one lesson you’d share with future generations?
CM: Don’t quit your day job!!
Thank you to Carmen Marotta for sharing his memories and insights. His stories preserve an important piece of South Jersey history and highlight the lasting legacy of Tony Mart’s.
Coastal Conversations highlights people in our community who are making a meaningful impact. If you know someone who would be a great fit for a future column, please contact me at ShoreCoastalConversations@gmail.com.
From the shore to your door, let’s keep the conversation going.
