By Carmen Marotta
From Jack Newland playing the piano in the ’40s until the final notes of the testimonial to Tony Mart’s, and the last Drink ‘n Drown in September of ‘82, hundreds of musicians and entertainers performed.
More than 130 entertainers performed in the 38 years of good times at Tony Marts. Here are interesting and amusing anecdotes about 10 of the greatest and most musically important entertainers and groups that ever played at “The Showplace of the World” as Tony Mart’s was called.
This is part one of a threshold part series. Look for part two and three in the upcoming issues of Shore Local.
Please email tonymartpresents@gmail.com with any comments or memories you would like to share.
Look for this information in the trivia segments at shows including the upcoming Tony Marts Rockin’ Country New Year Finale on December 29th.
- Len Carrie and his Krackerjacks
The drummer in the Spike Jones Big Band, Len Carrie, lead a hilariously entertaining swing band into the rock ‘n’ roll era at Tony Mart’s. They did The Mummers Strut and New Orleans Mardi Gras Second Line Dance on top of the bars, throwing Cracker Jacks instead of beads.
- Pete Carroll and the Carroll Brothers
A notorious character and Philadelphia/ Jersey shore entertainer who was a swinging rockabilly guitarist and zany performer.
One of the best stories about him is the day that he was so drunk that he rowed out into the bay in a Dick’s Dock rental boat and had to be hauled in when it was time to perform! They got him in and he did a hilarious drunken show.
- Jerry Gabriel and the Angels
A superb group of musicians and entertainers lead by Jerry Gabriel, who actually went on to serve many years as Ike and Tina Turner’s musical director.
- Flo Dryer Quintet
Probably the first female bandleader to ever play on Bay Avenue in Somers Point, She played trombone and led her troop of early rock ‘n’ roll swinging female musicians.
- The Skyliners
The Skyliners were a harmonic and melodic group who were featured as early headliners when Tony Mart’s was developing into a major entertainment venue. They were famous for iconic hits, “Pennies from Heaven”, “Since I don’t have you”, and “I only have eyes for you”.
- Johnny Maestro and the Crests
Johnny Maestro played at Tony Mart’s with this band, The Crests, before he formed the Brooklyn Bridge.
- The Fall Guys
Inspired by the first great lounge act to come off of Bourbon Street and head towards the resorts in Vegas, Louis Prima’s band; The Fall Guys did it all from New Orleans Rock ‘n Roll of Alan Toussaint, the soul of Ray Charles, the comedy music and routines of Ray Stevens to Dixieland and Broadway tunes. The Fall Guys were one of the greatest house bands in the history of the Jersey shore performing from 1959 to 1964 and continuing in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Las Vegas to name just a few of the places where they were one of the finest and most beloved popular and comedic bands in the history of nightclubs and lounges.
- Bill Haley and the Comets
Billy Hailey and his Comets were from the Philadelphia area. This group of seminal rock and rollers became famous for their own song “Rock Around the Clock” and their hits, which included some “race music” renditions of New Orleans and southern black entertainers music like Big Joe Turner’s “Shake, Rattle and Roll”.
- The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra starring Warren Covington
This is a vestige of the big band era, and one of the more famous of the swing dance orchestras that played at Tony Mart’s.
- Conway Twitty and Porkchop Markham
Immortal country music stars in the Country Music Hall of Fame, “Conway Twitty and The Tweety Birds” were a hard driving rockabilly, rock ‘n’ roll band for 6 seasons in the 60’s at Tony Mart’s until Conway played his final rock ‘n’ roll shows at The Mart alongside Levon and the Hawks in August 1965.
Everyone is invited to feel the glory and the soul of this famous rock ‘n’ roll emporium at The Tony Mart Rockin’ Country New Year Finale on December 29th when Conway Twitty’s grandson, Tre Twitty, is headline guest star with The Tony Mart Allstars, who will play the music of Bill Haley & The Comets, Del Shannon, Levon & The Hawks ( now Bob Dylan & The Band), and the music of the legendary Conway Twitty performed incomparably by his grandson.
The Allstars will perform holiday favorites, a portion of their Eagles Tribute, and Bruce Springsteen and Nashville country hits everyone loves to hear them play!
Thanks to the courtesy of The Circle Liquor Store, there will be six wines available for tasting and enjoyment for modest donations.
The VFW will have a full service bar available to the public at their reasonable prices.
This will be the way we all say goodbye to a great season in ‘23 and hello to each other as we look forward to next year.
LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!!!
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