The Guitar Storage staff took a roadtrip to the iconic Stone Pony Club in Asbury Park, NJ last night to celebrate the Rolling Stones 50 years with The FIFTY LICKS: A 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION led by Marc Ribler and Friends. It was also a benefit for the “Asbury Angels Foundation“, a group who’s goal is to memorialize the lives and contributions of the Asbury Park musical community including Clarence Clemons and Danny Federici.
From the first riff of “Start Me Up” the crowd and crowd of musicians forged a dynamic bond that just kept growing and growing through the 3+ hrs of non-stop Stones. It’s hard to believe a Springsteen show there in the early days could have rocked much harder. The whole place was vibrating. The band covered the whole gamut of the Rolling Stones library of originals and covers. Even touching on some of the lesser known gems like Don Covay’s “Have Mercy”, through “Dandelion”, “Out of Time” and “Waiting On A Friend”. By the time they encored with “Honky Tonk Women” and “Satisfaction” we were whipped to a frenzy. We had hoped Springsteen would show as one of the special guests. By the end, when it was clear he wasn’t coming, we couldn’t have cared less. The love fest between the crowd and musicians was so mutual that they announced that because of that, they were going to figure out a way to put the same show on again. Can’t wait.
The all-star band of New Jersey musicians was led by Marc Ribler on guitar who went through song after song and was the only one on stage not to get a break. His energy level never let up and he was soaked with sweat by the end. Marc played what looked like a Gibson ES-145 guitar. It had beautiful tone but it’s finish was a little faded, probably due to waterfall of sweat that Marc dripped on it over the years.
One after another of the special guests would come up almost each song, including Southside Johnny for “It’s All Over Now”, “Tumblin Dice” and others. There were plenty of other top Jersey musicans there too. JT Bowen was a real treat doing “Time Is On My Side”. James Maddock was terrific on “Memory Motel”.
If this comes around again and you can be there, dont miss it.
Above is a snippet from “Time is on My Side” with JT Bowen and Marc Ribler. Visit the Guitar Storage Youtube Channel for more.