Long Island Music Hall of Fame 7th Induction Ceremony 2018!

November 6, 2018

LONG ISLAND MUSIC HALL OF FAME 7th Induction Ceremony!

In May of 2003 I was the publisher of an entertainment newspaper on Long Island NY called “Long Island Entertainment”. When I sat down to write my monthly column, I wrote about the possibility of a Long Island Music Hall of Fame. I wrote about a rich “Hidden” music history that should not and could not be lost. A History that stretched back to the beginnings of the music industry in America and beyond. That article was the catalyst for a series of events that began this amazing journey.(you can read it here) A Journey that, 15 years later, has brought the Long Island Music Hall of Fame to it’s 7th Induction Ceremony. As the Founding Chairman, each induction ceremony I attend I can’t help but remember how a diverse collection of individuals from all over Long Island got together in my living room every month over Wine and Cheese, to discuss how we could make such a crazy idea a reality. We talked about honoring Long Island’s music history, creating scholarships and how to celebrate the music educators that inspire our children. It was this original board of directors, that within 3 years, had the audacity to have an induction ceremony for the first 26 inductee’s. That list included such artists as Billy Joel, Joan Jett, Leslie West, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Twisted Sister, Peter Kriss from Kiss and so many more. To be honest, we had no idea if anyone would even show up. But, in true Long Island fashion, we were not deterred, we moved ahead with an event which we funded with blinky lights and T-shirt sales. One by one, they came, they accepted their awards, gave moving speeches and the Long Island Music Hall of Fame had arrived!

Today the Long Island Music Hall of Fame is doing all of what we had imagined back in those early days and more! This Thursday 11/8/2018 at the Space in Westbury the Long Island Music Hall of Fame will induct their next class of inductees which brings the total of inductees to well over 150! Still Just a tip of the iceberg!

I am looking forward to attending this year, seeing old friends, meeting the new inductees and celebrating the music history of my home town of Long Island NY!

I will have a report for you when I return!

Here is a list of who is getting inducted this year!

JON “BOWZER” BAUMAN

FROM Brooklyn

Leading the group Sha Na Na, through its successful touring and TV career, and now performing in “Bowzer’s Rock N’ Roll Party” and in the band Bowzer and the Stingrays.

RICH BRANCIFORTE

FROM Roslyn

Founding Good Times magazine in 1969, the Long Island entertainment newspaper that helped launch the careers of MTV’s Kurt Loder and Rolling Stone’s David Fricke.

He will be inducted by Jackie “The Jokeman” Martling

EPMD

FROM Brentwood

Releasing the influential hip-hop album “Strictly Business,” which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, and a string of hits including “You Gots to Chill” and “Crossover.”

Will be Inducted by Chuck D and DJ Chuck Chillout

ARTIE KORNFELD

FROM Brooklyn

Co-creating the legendary Woodstock Music & Art Festival in 1969, as well as playing in the band Changin’ Times, co-writing songs with Brian Wilson and producing acts including The Cowsills.

Will be inducted by The Cowsills

MICHAEL LANG

FROM Brooklyn

Co-creating the legendary Woodstock Music & Art Festival in 1969, as well as founding the Michael Lang Organization, which produced the Woodstock concerts in 1994 and 1999, managed artists and produced films.

MELANIE

FROM Astoria, Queens

Writing and performing the No. 1 hit “Brand New Key,” which topped the charts for three weeks in 1971 and 1972, as well as performing at the Woodstock Music & Art Festival.

Will be inducted by Former Columbia Records executive Ron Alexenburg

BRUCE “COUSIN BRUCIE” MORROW

FROM Brooklyn

Being the influential WABC DJ who first played The Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand” in America and helped usher in the British Invasion. He currently has several shows on SiriusXM and hosts tours such as “Cousin Brucie’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Yearbook.”

Will be Inducted by SiriusXM’s Lou Simon

ELLIOTT MURPHY

FROM Garden City

His 1973 debut, “Aquashow,” which earned him praise and comparisons to Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, as well as a long-running career in Europe, especially in his adopted home of France.

Will Be inducted by Billy Joel

SEYMOUR STEIN

FROM Brooklyn

Co-founding Sire Records, the powerhouse label that became home to everyone from the Ramones and Talking Heads to Madonna and The Smiths.

Will be inducted by WLIR’s Denis McNamara and Larry “The Duck” Dunn

TAKING BACK SUNDAY

FROM Long Beach

Helping make the Long Island music scene of the early Aughts the center of the rock universe with the seminal album “Tell All Your Friends” and a string of four Top 10 albums, including “Louder Now,” which reached No. 2 in 2006.

Will be Inducted by Live Nation’s Christian McKnight

JIMMY WEBB

FROM Bayville

Writing and performing numerous pop hits, including “Macarthur Park” and many Glen Campbell classics — from “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” to “Wichita Lineman” — as well as working on songs for his own upcoming album and a series of instrumental albums featuring his piano interpretations of various styles of music.

The Long Island Music Hall of Fame is launching a new honor this year, the “LI Hired Gun Award,” to induct musicians who have significantly supported other artists. This year’s honorees are: