NEW YORK, Oct. 30, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Long Island Hall of Fame fifth induction ceremony was held on Thursday night (Oct. 23) at The Paramount Theater in Huntington. Music industry heavy weights including legendary musicians, singers, songwriters, producers and record label executives were among this year's seven inductees.
Record producer and music executive Clive Davis was inducted by Dionne Warwick, who thanked her saying, "Dionne should be the next one to be inducted into the hall of fame." Davis also introduced his newest artist, Avery Wilson who we first heard on NBC's, "The Voice."
Among other inductees was the Billy Joel Band. Billy Joel, who was out of town, was unable to attend the event but sent a statement crediting his seminal band for helping put "Long Island sound" on the map. The Billy Joel Band performed on the Paramount's stage for the first time in 25 years. Band members Richie Cannata, Liberty DeVitto, Russell Javors and Doug Stegmeyer, who were thrilled in their acceptance of the induction, performed with Billy Joel Tribute singer, Dave Clark, and brought the crowd to their feet.
Hip-hop pioneer and founding member of the group Run-D.M.C., Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels performed his remake of the Harry Chapin classic "Cat's in the Cradle" with Chapin's daughter Jen Chapin. McDaniels who was previously inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, accepted the 2014 Harry Chapin Award, which was presented to him by Chapin's wife, Sandy Chapin.
Inducted by Pink Floyd co-founder and legendary musician Roger Waters, was decades long concert promoter Ron Delsener, who brought concerts to Central Park and brought rock and roll to the Jones Beach Marine Theater; Rapper Kurtis Blow; singer Debbie Gibson; lyricist Gerry Goffin and producer Steve Thompson were also among the 2014 inductees.
LIMHoF Gala Producer, Founding Member and Vice Chair James Faith said, "It's been an honor to be a part of this organization from its inception. As producer of the past five galas, it's humbling to not only celebrate our history, but play a part in making it! This year's gala may be the most historic event to date."
Special guests included Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Susan and Peggy Stegmeyer, Denis McNamara, Ron Alexenburg, Carlos Alomar, Brian Koppelman, Eric Bloom of Blue Oyster Cult. Jen and Sandy Chapin, up and coming, singers Tina DeCara and Maria, Apollo Salazar, Fred Davis, EGC's Ernie and Nicole Canadeo, State Assemblyman Joseph Saladino, musician / DJ Joe Rock, and WBAB's DJ Fingers.
A highlight of the evening was an announcement that the LIMHoF will finally establish its first permanent museum in Wyandanch in the near future which would serve as the home for the hall of fame. Garden City real estate developers the Albanese Organization was chosen for the project. "We are honored the Long Island Music Hall of Fame has selected Wyandanch Village, a new vibrant mixed-use community which is situated right in the heart of Long Island, as the site of its future home," said the Albanese Organization's Chairman, Russell Albanese.
The induction ceremony takes place every two years. Past inductees have included Louis Armstrong, Tony Bennett, Billy Joel, Lou Reed and Blue Oyster Cult. All inductees were born, raised or spent a significant portion of their career residing in Long Island. Inductees are selected by the LIMHoF Board of Directors from an evolving and growing list of people, artists, and entities that were born, raised, founded, or have resided on geographic Long Island (Brooklyn/Queens/Nassau/Suffolk) for a significant portion of their career. Induction is based on historical importance and the significance of their contribution to Long Island's rich musical heritage.
MORE ABOUT THE LONG ISLAND MUSIC HALL OF FAME:
Long Island Music Hall of Fame (LIMHoF) is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the idea that Long Island's musical heritage is an important resource to be celebrated and preserved for future generations. The LIMHoF was created as a place to inspire in each person the desire to explore and celebrate music in all its forms and to be a place where the music community will find the support, resources and leadership necessary to aim them in that exploration. For more information about the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, visit www.limusichalloffame.org.