Billboard Bits: Stone Pony, Ramones Tribute, LeAnn Rimes

2/26/2002

News on Stone Pony, Ramones Tribute, LeAnn Rimes

Asbury Park, N.J., rock'n'roll landmark the Stone Pony has been spared from the wrecking ball thanks to public outcry. Thousands of E-mails, petition signatures, and phone calls have saved the shore town club where such notable Jersey musicians as Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, and Southside Johnny honed their skills over the years.

The beleaguered city's initial redevelopment plan called for the Stone Pony to be moved to make way for new housing. Domenic Santana, who has owned the club since 2000, told The New York Times it was strange to know how many fans around the world obsess about the venue, and he decided he couldn't put a dollar amount on that.

Santana was among those on hand last month to officially launch the "Save the Stony Pony" campaign. While the movement's official Web site welcomed news of the decision to leave the club intact, it warns supporters, "The details have yet to be worked out, so we have to keep our eyes on the situation."

The Asbury Park city council will vote in April on a plan to build the housing units around the club, instead of in its place. The ongoing process of the city's redevelopment can be followed on the Web at asburypark.net.

-- Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y. & AP

Marilyn Manson, Billy Corgan, Motorhead, and Static X are the latest acts confirmed for the upcoming Ramones tribute album, reportedly titled "We're a Happy Family" and due from DV8/Columbia later this spring. Manson tackles "The KKK Took My Baby Away," with Corgan covering "I Want You Around," Motorhead taking on "Rockaway Beach," and Static X interpreting "Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment."

The new artists join previously announced contributors Rob Zombie (who is also supervising the project with Johnny Ramone), Eddie Vedder, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Offspring, Green Day, and Rancid. Additional confirmations are pending.

Joey Ramone's posthumous solo debut, "Don't Worry About Me," was released last week by Sanctuary. His cover of Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" can be heard in tonight's (Feb. 26) episode of the WB network TV series "Gilmore Girls."

-- Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.

Less than three months after announcing her engagement on the syndicated show "Entertainment Tonight," LeAnn Rimes married Dean Sheremet on Saturday. According to Rimes' official Web site, the pair were wed in a "beautiful ceremony and magical reception among friends and family," at Dallas' Perkins Chapel.

The news comes on the heels of the country singer's resolution of legal battles with her father, Wilbur Rimes. The artist was also among the performers that took part in the Feb. 8 opening ceremonies of the Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City

-- Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.