‘Bristol Stomp’ Mural Debuts As A Hit

It has been more than 59 years since the “Bristol Stomp” first debuted.

And, yes, the kids in Bristol are still sharp as a pistol.

On a sunny and warm Tuesday evening, Bristol Borough: Raising the Bar debuted the new mural to pay homage to the hit 1961 song performed by The Dovells. The song went on to reach number two on Billboard magazine’s Hot 100 list and sell more than one million copies.

The new mural on the side of the William Penn Bank branch, which sponsored the creation, at the corner of Market Street and Old Route 13 was unveiled with classic cars, a ceremony, and classic tunes being spun. It was really something to see the joint jumping.

To celebrate the occasion Sirius-XM Radio’s ’60s on 6 DJ Phlash Phelps recognized the celebration during his internationally-broadcast program and noted Bristol Borough’s legacy among boomers thanks to the song.

Bill Pezza, president of Bristol Borough: Raising the Bar, which helps facilitate the town’s public arts program, said the mural looked great and he believes the art will be an important destination for many locals and visitors.

Ken Stephon, CEO of William Penn Bank, said the bank received such a “warm welcome” when they moved their headquarters to Bristol Borough that they wanted to get involved by sponsoring the mural.

“We couldn’t have made a better choice than to select Bristol,” he said.

For Bristol Township resident Theresa Gabriella-Frey, the mural unveiling was a neat experience. She recalled listening to the song in her youth at a skating rink on Frankford Avenue in Philadelphia. Additionally, Gabriella-Frey won the “Bristol Stomp” dance competition.

The new piece of public art was painted by Tony Napoli, a longtime art teacher in the Pennsbury School District. Bristol Borough native John Ennis, a nationally-known portrait artist, and borough resident AnnieRose Kruzinski, one of Napoli’s former students, and others assisted with creating the mural.

Napoli thanked the artists who helped him create the mural, which was inspired by local artist Bridget Ennis Shaw’s model of two dancers doing the dance that goes with the song. He called working on the mural with such talented artists “really special.”

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