When I saw "I Don't Want To Go Home: The Oral History Of The Stone Pony" in Barnes & Noble, I had to pick it up for many reasons. Obviously, I spent many evenings in The Stone Pony as an audience member, a band manager or a representative of FRED's Papers and The Rag. The Stone Pony's story could have been written in numerous volumes as if it were an Encyclopedia. I have to give kudos to Nick Corasaniti for doing a great job of keeping it to one book that is loaded with many facts and recollections.
The major players were interviewed that were involved with The Stone Pony, as well as The Upstage, The Fastlane and Mrs. Jay's. The Boss wrote the Foreword to the book, which wouldn't be much of a book without Springsteen. It is important to note that while Stevie Van Zandt is interviewed in this book, there is also a biography streaming on HBO about this integral musician and songwriter with the E Street Band and The Jukes.
Anybody who has ever booked their band at Club Bene or The Stone Pony has had the opportunity to work with Kyle Brendle. I have to say that he maintained a longer tenure than most promoters I have worked with and was very fair in the process. When China White played Club Bene in Sayreville, I drove Brendle into Asbury Park a few times after the show, as it was on my way home to Neptune City.
The book was educational and fun at the same time and brought back even a few memories. Before I moved to Monmouth County, I lived in The Bronx and made it a point to get in the car at 5:00am to arrive in time for the annual WNEW Beach Parties that would usually begin inside The Stone Pony. The car radio always kept me posted.
The many people who gave input to this book are too numerous to name, but some of the ones I knew included Eileen Chapman, Tony "Boccigalupe" Amato, Dan Jacobson, Billy Hector, Tony Pallagrosi, Vini Lopez, Kenny "Stringbean" Sorensen, Domenic Santana, Lance Larson and Stan Levinstone. Thee book handled the transition from hosting local favorites to national acts very well, even including the Christmas Shows hosted by The Bouncing Souls.
Not only was the book a fun read, it was a quick one. The Stone Pony is an institution. People from all over the world would come just to take pictures of it. It will forever be known as "The House That Bruce Built," but the building has become so much more. It is the CBGBs of the Jersey Shore! However, when Bruce does make a surprise appearance, as when I was there for Joe Grushecky one night, the place goes absolutely nuts. Bruce was still jamming beyond 2:00am!