The Stone Pony facts for kids
Exterior of club (c.2016)
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| Address | 913 Ocean Ave Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712-6221 |
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| Location | Asbury Park Boardwalk |
| Public transit | NJ Transit  at Asbury Park station
North Jersey Coast Line
 NJT Bus: 830, 832, 836 |
| Capacity | 850 |
| Opened | February 1973 |
The Stone Pony is a super famous music club located in Asbury Park, New Jersey. It's known as a place where many New Jersey music stars got their start. Think of it as a launchpad for legends like Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes! This club has been a key spot for rock and roll fans for decades.
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The Stone Pony's Amazing History
Before it became the legendary music venue we know today, the building was a restaurant called Mrs. Jay's. Next to it was Mrs. Jay's Beer Garden. This spot was popular with many different people, including tourists, students, and bikers. In the mid-1960s, Mrs. Jay's started letting bands play music there.
After Mrs. Jay's closed in 1968, the building was empty for a while. Then, in the fall of 1973, it reopened as The Stone Pony. Since then, many of the world's most popular musicians have played on its stage.
Challenges and Comebacks
The Stone Pony faced some tough times. In 1991, the club had to file for bankruptcy, but it reopened in 1992. Later in the 1990s, there was talk of closing the Pony for good. People worried that live music clubs were becoming less popular.
But musicians and fans didn't give up! They organized and rallied to support The Stone Pony. The club kept opening and closing as developers looked at Asbury Park. But the music community fought hard to keep it alive.
A New Beginning in 2000
In 2000, The Stone Pony got a big makeover. The goal was to keep its original cool vibe while adding new features. They installed modern lighting and sound systems. Outside, facing the Atlantic Ocean, they created The Stone Pony Landing area with a beach theme.
Fans and artists continued to support the Pony, and the Asbury Park Music Awards even returned to the club. The live music scene in Asbury Park became strong again, and crowds returned. Christine Todd Whitman, who was the Governor of New Jersey at the time, officially reopened the club on Memorial Day weekend in 2000. She said, "A visit to The Stone Pony has been considered a pilgrimage to rock 'n' roll fans around the world. It is a place that is important—not just to us, but to the world."
The Stone Pony and the Community
When The Stone Pony reopened in 2000, it promised to get involved with the Asbury Park community. The club and the city worked together to host a weekend-long Asbury Park Festival. This festival was free for everyone and featured local arts, crafts, and live music both inside and outside the club.
The United States Postal Service even created a special stamp cancellation for the event. Hundreds of people lined up to get their envelopes stamped! The club was open in the evenings, and some of the money raised went to the Stephen Crane House. This is where the famous author of The Red Badge of Courage lived.
Supporting Local Music and Charities
The annual Asbury Park Music Awards ceremony is usually held at The Stone Pony. These awards started in 1993 and celebrate the best music in the region. The event is like the Grammy Awards, with awards given out between live music and poetry performances. The Stone Pony helps sponsor this event along with other local groups.
The Stone Pony has also hosted many events to help community groups and charities. For example, a concert called "Remembering Harry Chapin" raised money to fight world hunger. The club has also been a drop-off point for the Food Banks of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
The club has held fundraisers for music groups like the Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation. Bruce Springsteen even appeared at a concert there to support the Parkinson's Disease Foundation. The Stone Pony also helped raise money for the family of a young man who passed away in a motorcycle accident.
Promoting Music Education
The Stone Pony has partnered with the community in other ways too. It hosted a photography exhibit by students from the Rugby School. These students have learning disabilities and behavioral challenges.
The club's management also created "The Stone Pony Foundation." This foundation helps promote music education for students in elementary and high school. They even bought an amplifier for a talented teenage blues guitarist! The club also sponsored an event that helped music and art education in Asbury Park schools.
