Starland Ballroom

The Starland Ballroom is a concert venue located in Sayreville, New Jersey. Beginning in the 1960s, the building was known as the Jernee Mill Inn, a local bar with a banquet hall. It was originally known as the Hunka Bunka Ballroom[1] and then Willy's[2][3] in the 1980s. It has operated as a dance music club but more often hosted concerts with primarily metal, punk and ska lineups.

"Starland" redirects here. For Starland Vocal Band, see Starland Vocal Band.
Starland Ballroom
Exterior of venue in May 2021
Former namesJernee Mill Inn (1962-82)
Willy's (1982-87)
Hunka Bunka Ballroom (1987-2003)
Address570 Jernee Mill Rd
Sayreville, New Jersey 08872-1753
OwnerAEG
OperatorThe Bowery Presents
Capacity2,500
Construction
OpenedAugust 1962 (1962-08)
ClosedOctober 29, 2012 (2012-10-29)
ReopenedSeptember 6, 2013 (2013-09-06)
Website
Venue Website
Building details
General information
RenovatedNovember 2012 - September 2013
Renovating team
Structural engineerKipcon Engineering
Other designers
  • Heritage Industrial Services, Inc.
  • M. Silberstein Interior Design
  • Integrity Ironworks, Inc.

History

The venue opened in August 1962 as a banquet hall and tavern by brothers Chester, Frank[4] and Edward (Rusty) Cholewa.[5] The hall was known as the Jernee Mill Inn, named after the main road near the building. In the late 70s, Rusty's wife, Phyllis[6] decided to use the space as a concert venue, to fill the gaps in wedding and party reservations.

In 1982, the venue was purchased by Bernie Bailey.[7] During this time, the main hall was used as a rehearsal space, during dark days. Around this time, John Bongiovi Jr. and Richard Sambora met at the venue before forming Bon Jovi.[8]

Five years later, Bailey changed the name to the Hunka Bunka Ballroom and concerts served as the primary focus of the venue. As the Hunka Bunka, the club became one of Central Jersey's premier concert venues, catering to major and independent rock, country and hip-hop artists.

In October 2003, it was announced the Hunka Bunka was undergoing needed renovations. Independent concert promoter, Concerts East, signed on to operate the venue and promote its shows. Within five weeks, the club reopened as the Starland Ballroom,[7] with a show by David Lee Roth.[9]

Years later, Bailey and his partners (Frank Sementa and Kip Connor) sold the property to AEG. From 2007 to 2017, AEG Live (now AEG Presents) were the owners and operators of the building.[10] In 2017, AEG Live purchased 50% of The Bowery Presents, with the latter becoming the operator of the venue.

In 2012 the venue was significantly damaged by Hurricane Sandy. The storm caused the Raritan River to flood, with the club being engulfed in six feet of water.[11] The result was damage to the walls, flooring, electrical system and plumbing. The building closed late October 2012, canceling all concerts until March 2013. Renovation efforts began mid-November 2013, with 24 local contractors contributing to rebuilding the club.[12] Renovations include adding a mezzanine in the rear of the main hall, updated lighting, improved sightlines, and acoustics, redesign of the backstage area and the dressing rooms. Flooding parameters were put in place to prevent any water damage in the future.

While the venue was slated to reopen in March 2013,[13] AEG announced the club was set to reopen in September. Tickets for forthcoming events went on sale in June.[14] The grand reopening took place on September 6, 2013, with a concert by Stone Temple Pilots.[15]

From 2003 to 2013, it is reported the venue sold 1.3 million tickets.[16]

Events

Taking Back Sunday has been hosting an annual Holiday Spectacular every year in December since 2013.[17]

Coheed and Cambria filmed a concert and released it on DVD called Live at the Starland Ballroom.

MTV Classic's That Metal Show filmed at least one episode at the venue.[18]

In 2005, the Starland hosted a pair of concerts to raise money for victims of the December 26 tsunamis.[19] My Chemical Romance, Taking Back Sunday, Senses Fail and dozens more performed over two nights, raising over $150,000 for UNICEF and the International Red Cross.

In September 2005, Dashboard Confessional and Coheed and Cambria co-headlined an event to raise $80,000 for Direct Relief International's efforts to assist victims of the Hurricane Katrina disaster.[20]

In 2022, Ken Carson was the first member of Opium, a Label started by Atlanta Rapper Playboi Carti, to headline a show at Starland on Halloween weekend. Openers included Lucki's DJ, Killa Kam. His performance was controversial due to Carson cutting his set a half hour early, after fans knew all the words to his (at the time) unreleased song, Freestyle 3, which he would release on Halloween as part of the Deluxe Version of his first studio album X, better known to fans as XTENDED

Noted performers

40°26′25″N 74°21′19″W

See also

References
  1. "The Legendary Hunka Bunka". Hunka Bunka Reunion. Archived from the original on February 9, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  2. Beaujour, Tom; Bienstock, Richard (2021-03-16). Nöthin' But a Good Time: The Uncensored History of the '80s Hard Rock Explosion. St. Martin's Publishing Group. ISBN 978-1-250-19576-0.
  3. Makin, Bob. "Skid Row guitarist Dave 'Snake' Sabo returns home to Sayreville to rock Starland Ballroom". MyCentralJersey.com. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
  4. "Edward Cholewa Obituary - Neptune, NJ". Legacy.com. January 6, 2012. Archived from the original on February 8, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  5. "Frank M. Cholewa". Home News Tribune. Newspaper Media Group. July 24, 2008. Archived from the original on February 8, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  6. "Phyllis Marie Cholewa". Becker Funeral Home. February 2019. Archived from the original on February 8, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  7. Hart, Jolene (October 2, 2003). "Starland Ballroom will replace Hunka Bunka". Home News Tribune. Newspaper Media Group. Archived from the original on February 8, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  8. Lewis, Andrew S. (2019-10-01). The Drowning of Money Island: A Forgotten Community's Fight Against the Rising Seas Forever Changing Coastal America. Beacon Press. ISBN 978-0-8070-8372-7.
  9. Corinne, Victoria (October 31, 2014). "Starland Ballroom The Rock Palace That Refuses To Die". Enjoy New Jersey. Archived from the original on February 8, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  10. "AEG Live Acquires Starland Ballroom". CelebrityAccess Media Wire. April 26, 2007. Archived from the original on February 8, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  11. McCall, Tris (June 4, 2013). "Starland Ballroom, reopening in September, announces new shows". The Star-Ledger. Advance Publications, Inc. Archived from the original on February 8, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  12. Parker-McClain, Dana (June 5, 2013). "Starland Reopens". Pollstar. Archived from the original on February 8, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  13. Martins, Andrew (December 27, 2012). "Stage to stay dark at Starland after Sandy strikes Sayreville". Tri-Town News. Greater Media Newspapers. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  14. Baugus, R.V. (June 5, 2013). "New Jersey Venue Sets Re-opening Date After Rebuilding from Superstorm Sandy". Front Row News. International Association of Venue Managers, Inc. Archived from the original on February 8, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  15. "Newly Refurbed Starland Ballroom Set To Re-Open". CelebrityAccess MediaWire. June 19, 2013. Archived from the original on February 8, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  16. Salvatore, Drew Anne (August 8, 2013). "As Starland Ballroom Re-Opens, a Star is Re-Born". New Jersey Monthly. Archived from the original on February 8, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  17. "5th Annual Holiday Spectacular". Taking Back Sunday. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
  18. "That Metal Show Live at Starland Ballroom". www.wsou.net. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
  19. Montgomery, James. "Taking Back Sunday, MCR Unite For Tsunami Benefit — Even The Bouncers Sing Along". MTV News. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
  20. Noon, Casey Sky (October 14, 2005). "Coheed, Dashboard offer Katrina aid". The Rider News. Rider University. Archived from the original on February 9, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  21. Blabbermouth (2008-04-12). "ANAKA Replaces BLOODSIMPLE On WSOU's 60th Anniversary Show". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
  22. Nelson, Lloyd (July 17, 2013). "Stone Temple Pilots with Chester Bennington of Linkin Park to open Starland Ballroom". *NJ.com. Advance Publications, Inc. Archived from the original on February 9, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  23. "Collective Soul Setlist at Starland Ballroom, Sayreville". setlist.fm.
  24. "The Biscuits Internet Project". discobiscuits.net. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
  25. "Lamb of God Setlist at Starland Ballroom, Sayreville". setlist.fm.
  26. "Lifehouse Setlist at Starland Ballroom, Sayreville". setlist.fm.
  27. "Skillet – Starland Ballroom – 20200310".
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