Book party celebrates the Stone Pony, while Springsteen Archives hosts gospel sing-off
The book is called “I Don’t Want To Go Home: The Oral History of The Stone Pony,” but for Bruce Springsteen, the appeal of the Pony in Asbury Park was about staying close to home as he became a music superstar in the '70s and '80s.
“It was a good time to be young and amongst a community of people who felt about music the same way you did,” says Springsteen in the foreword of the book by New York Times writer Nick Corasaniti. “Staying local through all the crazy high times was the smartest thing I ever did. The Stone Pony and its patrons allowed me to continue to be one of them, and for that I'm forever thankful.”
“I Don’t Want To Go Home,” which includes the remembrances of Springsteen, Steven Van Zandt and E Street Band members, Southside Johnny, Asbury Jukes, Huey Lewis, Skid Row, the Jonas Brothers, Jack Antonoff, Pony founder Jack Roig and many others, was released June 4 from Harper.
A book release party is set for Saturday, June 8, at the Pony. Marc Ribler will lead the house band, and past and present members of the E Street Band, the Asbury Jukes, the Smithereens, the Bouncing Souls, Gaslight Anthem, the Parlor Mob, Lord Gunner, Holme, Cats on a Smooth Surface and more will play.
They'll be havin' a party. Copies of the book are available to purchase as an add-on along with your ticket or at the venue on the night of the show.
Go: “I Don’t Want To Go Home: The Oral History of The Stone Pony” book release party, 7 p.m. Saturday, June 8, Stone Pony, 913 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park, $39.50 in advance, $45 at the door; stoneponyonline.com.
Gospel at Springsteen Archives
What's the good word?
The Encounter Christ Praise Team, the Praise Ground Choir, the Poured Out Praise Team, Dale Ciceron and Psalms of Praise Choir, and the St. Stephen AME Zion Choir — all from either Asbury Park and Newark — will participate in the inaugural Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music at Monmouth University Move On Up sing-off to celebrate gospel choirs and praise teams.
The winning group will receive a $10,000 prize to be used to improve any aspect of its ensemble. The runner-up will receive a $5,000 prize.
Only two cities were eligible to compete this year as the program is in its infancy, according to organizers.
More: Brian Fallon reopens House of Independents, looks forward to playing Sea Hear Now fest
“Next year we’ll add other cities, and the year after that still more so that eventually every gospel choir and praise team in the state will be able to participate,” said Eileen Chapman of the Springsteen Archives.
Springsteen's songs have had a spiritual thread throughout his career, and he's been associated with several gospel choirs. The Boss performed with a choir at the 2009 inauguration of President Barack Obama at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., and he's currently on tour with the five-member E Street Choir, part of the E Street Band.
The sing-off will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. in Anacon Hall on the second floor of the student center on the campus of Monmouth University. It's free to attend.
Go: Move On Up gospel sing-off, 2 p.m. Saturday, June 8, Anacon Hall, Monmouth University, 400 Cedar Ave., West Long Branch, free; springsteenarchives.org.
Stormin' Norman takes Five
Stormin' Norman Seldin is rocking to the beat of a “Different Drum.”
The classic from the band The Stone Poneys is one of the songs included on Seldin's stellar new album, “A Timeless Memory.” The LP features a few folks you might have heard of, including Vini “Mad Dog” Lopez and the late Larry Chance, who delivers a stirring rendition of Gary Puckett and the Union Gap's “Young Girl.”
Seldin's band, the Five, featuring the double pianos Seldin and Ryan Gregg, with Chuck Lambert on guitar, will play at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 6, at Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel in Asbury Park. The show is a benefit the Asbury Park Museum, which is presenting its latest exhibit, “Edge of the Waters: From the Lenape 'Scheyichbi' to Bradley's Founding of Asbury Park,” in the hotel lobby.
More: Springsteen connection to Freehold still strong 40 years after 'My Hometown' release
The exhibit covers the history of Asbury Park 200 years before its founding by James Bradley in 1871.
Seldin has made history in his career at the Jersey Shore, including breaking the Asbury Park beachfront band color line when he added Clarence Clemons to his band Joyful Noyze before Clemons joined up with Springsteen.
Go: Stormin’ Norman Seldin and the Five, 7 p.m. Thursday, June 6, Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel, 1401 Ocean Ave, Asbury Park. $65; apmthefive.eventbrite.com.
Birthday Bonds
Happy birthday, Gary U.S. Bonds!
The music legend is turning 85 on Thursday, June 6, and he's celebrating with a show Thursday at the Vogel at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank.
“We're going to have a blast down there, lots of fun and a lots of stuff,” said Bonds in a recent video message. “Some birthday cake and some ice cream.”
While Bonds isn't from the Jersey Shore, he's become a regular in the area thanks to his collaborations with Springsteen and Van Zandt, and his numerous concerts at the Shore. Fans loves listening to his classics “Quarter to Three,” “New Orleans,” “School is Out,” “This Little Girl Is Mine,” “Jole Blon,” “Daddy's Come Home” and more.
Go: Gary U.S. Bonds birthday show, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 6, the Vogel at the Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, $39.50 to $79.50; thebasie.org.
Subscribe to app.com for the latest on the New Jersey music scene.
Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Stone Pony book celebrates oral history of historic Asbury venue
