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| Long Island Music Hall of Fame Logo. Big Picture Media. |
The Long Island Music Hall of Fame was created in 2004 as a
way to preserve the island’s musical history for future generations. Since
2006, the Hall of Fame has been recognizing the artists and music industry
heavyweights coming out of Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties that
have had an indelible impact on not only Long Island’s music scene, but the global
music scene as well. The organization has also been working on charitable
efforts, honoring outstanding music educators and creating scholarships and
educational initiatives for students.
A new class of inductees is recognized bi-annually with the
last ceremony taking place in 2016. Artists who have been inducted in previous
years include LL Cool J, Mariah Carey, the Ramones, Lou Reed, Kiss, CaroleKing, Barbra Streisand, Arlo Guthrie, Neil Diamond, Blue Oyster Cult, Simon& Garfunkel, Count Basie, Dream Theater, Walter Becker, Louis Armstrong,
Twisted Sister and many, many more.
In honor of the Long Island Music Hall of Fame announcement,
Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at the artists and
industry figures being honored this year. Here’s a brief dive into why each
inductee has been so crucial to the Long Island and global music scenes.
1.
Taking
Back Sunday: The youngest artists to be inducted this year (possibly ever),
Taking Back Sunday made a name for themselves in the early 2000s pop-punk / “emo”
revival, helping pioneer the Long Island scene that became a hub for the genre.
Releasing their breakthrough debut full-length album ‘Tell All Your Friends’ in
2002, the band quickly outgrew their Amityville roots for the global stage.
Over the last 15 years, the band has released seven studio albums, including
their latest, ‘Tidal Wave,’ released in 2016.
2.
EPMD:
Hip-Hop has had a significant presence on Long Island, especially in Queens. But
EPMD, the collaborative duo of Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith, brought the
genre out east to Brentwood. The duo was on fire in the early 1990s, finding
success with back-to-back hit records and forming Hit Squad, which included
early work by rapper Redman, all while remaining independent artists.
3.
Melanie: Born in Queens, singer Melanie was one
of the standout artists of the Woodstock era. Stunning audiences with her
singing, she had a handful of hits in the 1960s, which she translated into a
decades-long career in recording and theatrical writing. Melanie continues to
release music to this day.
4.
Jimmy
Webb: A proud resident of the North Shore, Jimmy Webb has had a brilliant
career as a songwriter and solo artist. He has written for artists as diverse
as The Supremes, The 5th Dimension, Frank and Nancy Sinatra, Glen Campbell,
Dusty Springfield, Nina Simone, Barbra Streisand, The Temptations, Art
Garfunkel, Joe Cocker, R.E.M. and more, earning him award nominations and the
honor of youngest person ever inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame.
5.
Jon “Bowzer Bauman: Brooklyn native Jon Bauman
came to prominence as an early member of Sha Na Na, a parody group of 1950s doo
wop and “greaser” culture. The group was a hit in the 1960s, getting a big push
from their appearance at Woodstock. That fame led to a television show, which
Bauman featured prominently on. Over his career, the singer has translated his
fame into television and film as well, appearing in ‘Grease,’ hosting game
shows and music videos, doing voiceover work and producing documentaries.
Bowman now hosts “Bowzer’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Party,” a touring 50s and 60s
nostalgia show.
6.
Bruce “Cousin Brucie” Morrow: “Cousin Brucie”
was one of the most influential radio personalities of the 1960s. A legend on
the New York airwaves, he DJ’d for WABC, WNBC and WCBS-FM, spinning tunes from
the hottest artists of the day. He continues to leave his mark on radio today,
reaching audiences outside of his native New York with his hosting gig on
Sirius/XM’s “60’s on 6” station.
7.
Seymour Stein: Founder of Sire
Records, Seymour Stein had a big hand in making punk and new wave
profitable genres. He signed the Ramones, who his wife Linda co-managed, as
well as the Talking Heads, The Dead Boys, Richard Hell and the Voidoids and The
Pretenders, among many others. He’s also responsible for the career of Madonna,
who became one of his biggest artists to date. Though he announced earlier this
year that he was stepping down from Sire, he has made it clear that his work
discovering artists is not over.
8.
Michael Lang & Artie Kornfeld: The Woodstock
Festival’s two leading forces, co-creator Michael Lang and promoter Artie
Kornfeld had a massive impact on music history. By producing the festival,
these men were able to sum up the burgeoning counterculture of the 1960s, which
many refer to as the “summer of love.” Woodstock brought together artists new
and established to promote music and peace, which the festival did better than
many of the festivals that came before it.
9.
Rich
Branciforte: Creator of ‘Good Times Magazine,’ Rich Branciforte has had his
pulse of the Long Island music scene for nearly five decades. His publication has
acted as a guide for fans and bands, supplying show listings and artist / music
business directories. Among ‘Good Times’’ journalistic alumni are Kurt Loader,
David Fricke, Leonard Maltin. The free bi-weekly is currently the
longest-running regional entertainment publication in the U.S.
10.
Elliot Murphy: Born in Rockville Centre, Elliot
Murphy has enjoyed a long career in music and journalism. He has released more
than 30 albums since the 1970s, working with everyone from Bruce Springsteen to
Billy Joel, Phil Collins and more. His writing career saw him publishing pieces
for Rolling Stone, Spin and Jam and writing several novels and short stories,
which were mostly published in Europe.
The 2018 class of the Long Island Music Hall of Fame has
left a diverse impact on the musical landscape of not just the island, but of
the music scene in general. From outstanding artists to legendary journalists,
organizers, promoters and label heads, this year’s honorees truly celebrate the
hall’s goal of preserving the island’s musical heritage. Congratulations to all
the inductees.
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Find music from these local artists and more at Vinyl Bay
777. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of
titles to choose from in a wide variety of genres. Browse of selection of new
and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in
store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles
being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find
at Vinyl Bay 777.
