Ryder to perform at the last Tony Mart Beach Concert of the season Friday in Somers Point
Tune In, Turn On
One reason I’ve always liked being involved in the music business is that older artists, unlike many other professions, are not only treated with respect; but in many cases, actually earn more money (especially for their live performances) as they age.
This Friday, Sept. 12, Mitch Ryder – a true living legend in the music business now 80 years old – returns to Somers Point to perform at Tony Mart’s Legendary Concerts on the Beach Series at 7 p.m. Friday, and Good Golly Miss Molly it’s a free show!
Add in an opening set by rising South Jersey blues-rockers Twisted Livin’, and that’s a really good evening of music.
“In his several wildly popular performances at Tony Mart in the early ’60s, Mitch Ryder was intense and hard-core as a serious rock and roller before many others were,” said Tony Mart’s Carmen Marotta. “His soulful, driving rock, and his fabulous stage show with the tight Detroit Wheels, made him the perfect choice for Tony Mart when he needed a headliner to replace the tremendously popular LeVon and the Hawks when Bob Dylan took them away from Tony Mart’s in late August 1965.
“Mitch Ryder gave Tony Mart’s a wild and memorable end to the greatest musical summer at the iconic rock ‘n’ roll bar in South Jersey,” Marotta continued. “It started with Conway Twitty and Levon and the Hawks and transcended into Bob Dylan making them the band and Mitch Ryder bringing it home at the end of the summer.”
What follows is an interview conducted recently with Ryder (full disclosure: as publicist for Ruf Records, I worked publicity for Mitch’s two most recent albums, “The Roof Is On Fire” and “With Love”).
DD: What are your thoughts about returning to perform in Somers Point at the Jersey Shore, a place you played in 1965 with The Detroit Wheels at famed nightclub, Tony Mart?
Mitch: I am looking forward to reliving a fond memory from my past.
DD: What does the current Mitch Ryder music set consist of, song-wise?
Mitch: All the hits that my fans know and love.
DD: Your career has done very well in Europe for many years, especially in Germany, where you’ve recently released two albums on German-based Ruf Records. Discuss that here?
Mitch: I have had a very fulfilling career in Europe, especially Germany, which started with a live performance on (German music TV show) ‘Rockpalast’ of the legendary ‘Full Moon Concert’ in 1979. I have toured every year there since, for at least two months (except for COVID) and recorded and released 23 albums there, the last two being for Ruf Records. In January 2026, I am set to have a live recording of my 80th birthday concert released on Ruf, and then to record another studio album for the label in April after a tour there in February/March.
DD: In a recent interview, you stated you have no interest in entering the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame if you were to be inducted (which you should be). Can you elaborate on this?
Mitch: I would reverse my decision on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame if they returned to their original mission of perpetuating Rock & Roll.
Tune-Ups
Move It On Over with George Thorogood and the Destroyers: The longtime rocker is still popular and gigging regularly at age 75. He’s at Tropicana Showroom on Friday, Sept. 12 for a 9 p.m. show. Tickets start at $74. Info: www.caesars.com.
Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com
