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