Entertainment

Review: 7th annual Long Island Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony (Includes first-hand account)

Published

November 11, 2018

Rock group Taking Back Sunday were inducted by Christian McKnight of Live Nation. Acclaimed folk songstress and songwriter Melanie was inducted by music executive Ron Alexenburg, formerly of Columbia Records.

Hip-hop group EPMD was presented their Long Island Music Hall of Fame award by Chuck D of Public Enemy and DJ Chuck Chillout. Musical concert promoter and producer Michael Lang was also inducted. He is known for being the co-creator of the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival in 1969.

Other inductees included radio personality Cousin Brucie, record label founder Seymour Stein, singer-songwriter Elliott Murphy (who was inducted by Billy Joel), as well as iconic singer-songwriter Jimmy Webb, among others.

Billy Joel’s long-time guitarist Tommy Byrnes was the recipient of the “LI Hired Gun Award,” which is a brand new award that was presented this year. The Piano Man himself, Billy Joel, presented Byrnes with this prestigious accolade. Musician Glenn Drewes also received a “LI Hired Gun Award.”

To learn more about the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, check out its official website.

In this article:Billy joel, Long island, Long Island Music Hall of Fame, Taking Back Sunday, The Space, Tommy Byrnes, westbury

Written By Markos Papadatos

Markos Papadatos is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for Music News. Papadatos is a Greek-American journalist and educator that has authored over 20,000 original articles over the past 18 years. He has interviewed some of the biggest names in music, entertainment, lifestyle, magic, and sports. He is a 16-time "Best of Long Island" winner, where for three consecutive years (2020, 2021, and 2022), he was honored as the "Best Long Island Personality" in Arts & Entertainment, an honor that has gone to Billy Joel six times.