KENNY GUIDO
10-15-2006, 06:38 PM
Hall's first class ready to rock and roll
BY GLENN GAMBOA
Newsday Staff Writer
October 15, 2006
No list of Long Island music greats would be complete without Billy Joel.
Raised in Hicksville and now an Oyster Bay resident, Joel is not only one of the most successful touring acts of all time, but has also sold more than 100 million records.
So when Long Island Music Hall of Fame organizers mapped out the first induction ceremony, set for tonight at the Patchogue Theatre, they hoped Joel would take part, but they had to plan as if he wouldn't.
"We really didn't think Billy Joel would jump on board, but we're thrilled he did," says Richard L'Hommedieu, the hall of fame's chairman. "He's so careful about the things he associates himself with. We thought he would wait until we had something under our belts first."
However, Joel says he was excited about the plans. "I've always been a Long Island booster," he says. "I think it's a good idea. There are a lot of musicians from Long Island, and I don't think that's ever been really recognized nationally. Long Island has a terrific history of artists and writers and poets that stretches back to the Revolution. It should be recognized for it."
Joel says Long Island musicians have always had to deal with some extra challenges, not being enough a part of the New York scene to get breaks, but also not seen as from somewhere exotic - such as Bob Dylan's Hibbing, Minn., roots - to get attention.
"We're all from nowhere, really," he says, remembering how Long Island musicians were often portrayed as "country bumpkins" by the New York media. "There were a lot of musicians who came from Long Island who would always say they were from New York. I think there was a certain fear of not being taken seriously if you were from a suburban area. I always made it a point to say I was from here and that I was proud to be from here."
That pride continues today for Joel, who says he believes strongly in celebrating Long Islander identity. He sees tonight's induction - which will be covered by around 50 media outlets, including CBS, ABC, Sirius Satellite Radio and The Associated Press - as part of that celebration and plans to take part in the whole experience, including the all-star jam planned to cap the event.
"I don't have anything planned," Joel says, adding that his band isn't around because they are preparing to go to South Africa with him this week, as part of a tour that will also go to Australia and Japan. "And I'm not much of a jamming guy, but I'd sit down and play with other people."
Gary U.S. Bonds, the "Quarter to Three" singer who will also be inducted tonight, is hoping for a chance to jam with Joel, saying, "Billy Joel is an icon. I saw him not too long ago and that kid is still looking fine."
Other inductees - 29 in all enter the hall tonight - include George Gershwin, John Coltrane and Run-D.M.C.
Joel, who will be inducted by Alec Baldwin, says there's only one part of the black-tie formal event he won't go along with.
"I'm not wearing a tuxedo," says Joel, laughing. "I'm still rock 'n' roll."
BY GLENN GAMBOA
Newsday Staff Writer
October 15, 2006
No list of Long Island music greats would be complete without Billy Joel.
Raised in Hicksville and now an Oyster Bay resident, Joel is not only one of the most successful touring acts of all time, but has also sold more than 100 million records.
So when Long Island Music Hall of Fame organizers mapped out the first induction ceremony, set for tonight at the Patchogue Theatre, they hoped Joel would take part, but they had to plan as if he wouldn't.
"We really didn't think Billy Joel would jump on board, but we're thrilled he did," says Richard L'Hommedieu, the hall of fame's chairman. "He's so careful about the things he associates himself with. We thought he would wait until we had something under our belts first."
However, Joel says he was excited about the plans. "I've always been a Long Island booster," he says. "I think it's a good idea. There are a lot of musicians from Long Island, and I don't think that's ever been really recognized nationally. Long Island has a terrific history of artists and writers and poets that stretches back to the Revolution. It should be recognized for it."
Joel says Long Island musicians have always had to deal with some extra challenges, not being enough a part of the New York scene to get breaks, but also not seen as from somewhere exotic - such as Bob Dylan's Hibbing, Minn., roots - to get attention.
"We're all from nowhere, really," he says, remembering how Long Island musicians were often portrayed as "country bumpkins" by the New York media. "There were a lot of musicians who came from Long Island who would always say they were from New York. I think there was a certain fear of not being taken seriously if you were from a suburban area. I always made it a point to say I was from here and that I was proud to be from here."
That pride continues today for Joel, who says he believes strongly in celebrating Long Islander identity. He sees tonight's induction - which will be covered by around 50 media outlets, including CBS, ABC, Sirius Satellite Radio and The Associated Press - as part of that celebration and plans to take part in the whole experience, including the all-star jam planned to cap the event.
"I don't have anything planned," Joel says, adding that his band isn't around because they are preparing to go to South Africa with him this week, as part of a tour that will also go to Australia and Japan. "And I'm not much of a jamming guy, but I'd sit down and play with other people."
Gary U.S. Bonds, the "Quarter to Three" singer who will also be inducted tonight, is hoping for a chance to jam with Joel, saying, "Billy Joel is an icon. I saw him not too long ago and that kid is still looking fine."
Other inductees - 29 in all enter the hall tonight - include George Gershwin, John Coltrane and Run-D.M.C.
Joel, who will be inducted by Alec Baldwin, says there's only one part of the black-tie formal event he won't go along with.
"I'm not wearing a tuxedo," says Joel, laughing. "I'm still rock 'n' roll."