This document summarizes news from 2008 about the Long Island Music Hall of Fame. It discusses the organization finding a permanent home in Port Jefferson, an event celebrating Simon and Garfunkel's album Bookends with Pete Fornatale, and a visit from Pete Seeger to film an introduction for Arlo Guthrie's induction. It also announces plans for a Long Island High School Scholarship Festival in 2010 offering $60,000 in scholarships from Berklee College of Music.

1. Event art designed and photographed by Susan Herbst · susanherbst60@optonline.net
Produced by James Faith Entertainment and the Long Island Music Hall of Fame
www.limusichalloffame.org

2. Inductees 2008
T
his first group of 53 inductees, honored at the Long Island Music Hall of Fame Inaugural (2006) and
2008 Induction Galas, represents Long Island’s historic and diverse contributions to the world’s
musical and cultural landscape. The Long Island Music Hall of Fame has taken great care to insure
that these “First 53” clearly represent the core of our organization’s mission statement. They are
a select group of Long Island artists, venues and businesses who are responsible for some of the
extraordinary contributions that Long Island has made to the musical landscape of America and the
world for over 100 years. It is our hope and belief that these “First 53” demonstrate that Long Island
has been, and will continue to be, a consistent and never-ending wellspring of world class musical
talent. Inductees to The Long Island Music Hall of Fame must have either been born on Long Island
(Kings (Brooklyn), Queens, Nassau or Suffolk Counties) or resided there for a significant portion of
their career. They must also properly illustrate the diversity our Long Island home.
Selections for induction are voted on by the Long Island Music Hall of Fame Board of Directors,
with the input of members of its advisory committees, from a continually growing list of over 500
potential inductees.
2008
Louis Armstrong Neil Diamond Public Enemy
William “Count” Basie The Good Rats The Ramones
Walter Becker Arlo Guthrie Jean Ritchie
Pat Benatar Marvin Hamlisch Beverly Sills
Blue Oyster Cult Carole King Simon and Garfunkel
Bob Buchmann LL Cool J Barbra Streisand
Mariah Carey Guy Lombardo The Tokens
Aaron Copland Eddie Money Kenny Vance
2006 Inductees
Mose Allison George Gershwin Long Island Philharmonic
Sam Ash Sr. Richie Havens Marian McPartland
Tony Bennett Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley George “Shadow” Morton
Gary U.S. Bonds and Peter Criss, Run-DMC
Harry Chapin LI members of KISS Neil Sedaka
George M. Cohan Joan Jett Stray Cats
John Coltrane Billy Joel Stony Brook University
Perry Como Johnny Maestro and the Sam Taylor
Brooklyn Bridge
James (Jimmy) D’Aquisto Twisted Sister
Cyndi Lauper
Edward “Little Buster” Vanilla Fudge
Forehand Little Anthony and the Imperials
Leslie West
Induction Criteria:
Inductees were selected by The Long Island Music Hall of Fame Board of Directors from an evolving
and growing list of people, artists, groups or entities that were born, raised, founded, or have resided
on Long Island for a significant portion of their career or existence. Entry into the Hall is based on
historical importance and the significance of their contribution to Long Island’s rich musical heritage.
The Long Island Music Hall of Fame defines Long Island by its geographic boundaries, which includes
Queens, Kings, Nassau, and Suffolk counties.
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3. Pat Benatar
K
nown for her operatic voice and ‘tough girl’ attitude, Pat Benatar won four
consecutive Grammy Awards for “Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female”
from 1980 to 1983, and was nominated four additional times in 1985, 1986,
1988, and 1989.
Born Patricia Mae Andrzejewski in Brooklyn, NY,
Pat grew up in Lindenhurst where she initially
studied opera like her mother. She married Dennis
Benatar in 1971, the source of the surname with
which she became famous – though her actual
career began after they had divorced. She was
discovered at an amateur-night contest in the
New York City comedy club Catch a Rising Star
in 1977, and was signed to Chrysalis Records
by its founder Terry Ellis.
The hits began with Benatar’s very first
single, “Heartbreaker,” which was released in
October 1979 and quickly climbed to #23 in
the US. The follow-up LP, In the Heat of the
Night reached #12, and established the Long
Islander as a new force in rock. Two more hit singles followed
before August 1980, when Benatar released her second LP, Crimes of Passion,
featuring her signature song “Hit Me with Your Best Shot.” The single was her
first to break the US Top 10 and reach gold record status. The album reached
#2 in early 1981, and remained on the US album charts
for 93 weeks.
Precious Time, released in August 1981, topped the
charts in the US and broke the Top 40 in the UK. The
album’s lead single, “Fire and Ice,” was another big hit,
and would win Benatar her second Grammy® Award.
In February 1982, Benatar married her lead guitarist
Neil Giraldo and released the hit single “Shadows of
the Night” earning her yet another Grammy®. The fol-
low-up LP, Get Nervous, released in January 1983,
was also a success.
By 1983, Benatar had established a reputation for
writing about ‘tough’ subject matter. The biggest
hit of her career, “Love Is a Battlefield,” released
in December, kept the trend alive with great re-
sults. The single hit Top Ten in the US, jumped
into the UK and Australian Top 40, and would net her fourth
consecutive Grammy®. The live album, Live from Earth, from which “Love Is
a Battlefield” was one of two studio recorded tracks, hit US #13.
Pat Benatar and Neil Geraldo continue to write and tour, playing to sell-
out crowds. Audiences continue to be amazed by the power in the voice of
Long Island’s Pat Benatar, nearly 30-years after since she first hit us with her
best shot.
10

4. Jean Ritchie
J
ean Ritchie was born and raised in Viper, Kentucky in the heart of the Southern Appa-
lachian Mountains, youngest in a family of fourteen children. Walled in by the rugged
Cumberland ridges, the Ritchies and their neighbors farmed their hillsides using
primitive methods and entertained themselves with games and ballads handed down
through the generations from their Scottish, English and Irish ancestors.
She became the first person to enroll and obtain a degree in social work from the
University of Kentucky. In 1947 she moved to New York and worked in the famous Henry
Street Settlement as a social worker whose main
virtues proved to be her voice and her deeply felt
desire to help make a better world.
By 1950, Jean Ritchie was an important fig-
ure on the New York folk scene, her influence
probably best shown by the fact that dulcimers,
almost unknown instruments in New York, were
suddenly in demand. She is credited with almost
single-handedly reviving interest in the mountain
dulcimer and with helping to establish its promi-
nence as more than a regional folk instrument.
As Jean’s reputation grew, Oxford Press pub-
lished Singing Family of the Cumberlands, a
book about her family and its music, in 1955
(and still in print today). Nine more books, in-
cluding the prize winning Celebration of Life,
were to follow.
The early 50s continued to be eventful for
Jean. She married New York photographer
George Pickow and met Jac Holzman, who
with a friend, had just started a small record company called Elektra.
He asked if she’d consider launching their folk music division. The first record for Elektra
and for Jean, was the 10-inch LP Jean Ritchie, Singing Traditional Songs of Her Ken-
tucky Mountain Family. Since then, she has recorded more than 30 albums for different
labels, including her own Greenhays label, which she and George set up in 1979.
In 1996, the Ritchie-Pickow Archive was established at University College, Galway,
Ireland. In 1998 the Life Achievement Award was given to Jean by the Folk Alliance. KET,
The Kentucky Network honored her with a special about her life and music, Mountain
Born: the Jean Ritchie Story which aired widely over the PBS network.
The Ritchies have lived in Port Washington since 1956, and have a log house in Viper,
Kentucky. Interest in traditional music keeps Jean active performing in more summer
music festivals and college dates than ever before. She also finds herself in demand to
guest teach at such places as the University of California, Santa Cruz or to serve as art-
ist-in-residence, and has performed extensively for television.
“I believe that old songs have things to say to the modern generation, and that’s why
they’ve stayed around. That’s also why I am still singing. I’m not afraid to be myself.
Agents say you have to change and grow, but I believe you can sing the same songs
and sing them better and grow new songs out of the old. I guess if I had to categorize
myself or pin down a description of what I do, I’d have to say I’m a carrier of tradition.”
– Jean Ritchie
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5. News in 2008
Long Island Music Hall of Fame Finds a Home
If home is where the heart is, it
looks like the Long Island Music
Hall of Fame’s home, and heart,
is destined to be in Port Jefferson.
There is an agreement in principle
from the Town of Brookhaven: a
bi-partisan unanimous decision
was made to pass a resolution for
LIMHoF to operate a museum in
the former Tax Assessor’s Build-
ing at the corner of Route 25A and
East Main Street in beautiful down-
town Port Jefferson.
Thanks to the wonderful efforts Past and future...On the left, originally the First National Bank of
of Town of Brookhaven Councilman Port Jefferson; and right, as it could appear as the home of the
Steve Fiore-Rosenfeld and many Long Island Music Hall of Fame.
other people behind the scenes, the We’re grateful to everyone who has been
scaffolding has gone up and the renovations with us this far, but stay tuned – much bigger
have begun. and better things are ahead. 
SIMON AND GARFUNKEL’S BOOKENDS LIMHoF Meets with Peter Seeger
With Legendary NY Disc Jockey Pete Fornatale When singer/song-
On April 3, 2008 the Long Island Music Hall of writer and LIMHoF
Fame and the YMCA’s Boulton Center teamed Education Advisory
up to present a multimedia program celebrating Board member Pa-
Simon and Garfunkel, and the 40th anniversary of tricia Shih suggested
their breakthrough album Bookends. that Pete Seeger
The LIMHoF’s Tony Traguardo lead the might be available
conversation with Pete Fornatale. Clips of early to videotape an in-
recordings along with rare, historic troduction for Arlo
footage from the Hall’s Guthrie’s induction
archives, shed new light on to the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, sev-
Paul and Art’s beginnings eral board members jumped at the opportu-
as a duo called ‘Tom and nity.
Jerry.’ Mr. Fornatale played Although the induction was several
segments of interviews months away, (and they had to go to Bea-
he’s conducted with con, NY) the idea of capturing Mr. Seeger’s
the duo over the years. warmth and genuine love for Mr. Guthrie
He also discussed his was irresistible. And, considering that the
recently released book, 89-year old Mr. Seeger was Woody Guthrie’s
titled Simon and Garfunkel’s friend and traveling partner, that he helped
Bookends. make Woody’s music a national treasure and
Mr. Fornatale is also celebrating the 25th that he knew Arlo since his childhood on
anniversary of his radio program, “Mixed Bag.” Mermaid Avenue in Coney Island, wouldn’t
A closing question and answer session with Mr. this be great? In short, it was.
Fornatale made this a unique and exciting event. To read the full story and see pictures visit
The audio portion of the lecture segment is us online at www.limusichalloffame.org/re-
available for download on Podarama.com.  leases/2008/seeger-visit.html. 
To view the full newsletters or for more information on library events and exhibits, full inductee bios, scholarships,
merchandise and membership, please visit our website at www.limusichalloffame.org.
35

6. News in 2008
LIMHoF exhibited pictures and LONG ISLAND HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP FESTIVAL
memorabilia from their archives in the The Long Island Music Hall of Fame will sponsor the Long
2nd floor gallery at the Long Beach Island High School Scholarship Festival in May of 2010. Bos-
Public Library. It celebrated artists, ven- ton’s prestigious Berklee College of Music is on board – of-
ues and educators from the four counties fering $60,000 in scholarships to graduating Long Island high
within the LI geographical area. Held in school students hoping to attend music related universities.
conjuction with the library’s Jazz Fest, The event will be a two-day festival attracting all of the
the show ran from August 28 - Septem- Long Island’s high schools, and a host of major colleges
ber 7. On September 8, Tony Traguardo including Michigan State, Dowling, Five Towns, the New
hosted an entertaining and informative School and Stony Brook University. Graduating students
multimedia presentation about the orga- and their parents will interact with the visiting colleges’
nization and its first class of inductees. representatives and see their bands and orchestras perform.
LIMHoF sponsored a fabulous ar- There will also be clinics, workshops and the awarding of
ray of talent for the KidZone at the scholarships to some of the finest colleges in the country.
Great South Bay Music Festival, in The event was created by Dennis Wilson, a Long Island na-
Patchogue, and the KidsWorld Tent at tive, and successful trombonist with the Carnegie Hall Band,
the Port Jefferson American Music Wynton Marsalis and the Count Basie Orchestra; and James
Festival. Faith, a Long Island promoter, and founding member and
Both events featured some of the Executive Vice Chairman of LIMHoF.
New York area’s finest children’s en- The event was successfully implemented several years
tertainers, including Patricia Shih, The ago, and Dennis & Jim were able to award approximately
Very Cool Music School featuring Jim- $60,000 in scholarships at that time. With Berklee confirm-
my Rosica, Dr. Planet, Brady Rymer, ing that they alone will offer up $60,000 in scholarships,
Jack Licitra, Marla Lewis, Toby Tobias there is a good chance that the event and the Long Island
and Paul Helou.  Music Hall of Fame will present over $200,000 in scholar-
ships at this event. 
More programs are being developed and will be available
SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND DISPLAYS through the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.
LIMHOF: Preserving a Rich History mon and Art Garfunkel recorded under various pseudonyms
Discover the rich musical history that sprang from Long Is- both together and apart. The program features clips of per-
land, from George M. Cohan to Run-DMC and beyond, and formances that have not been seen since their initial airing
trace their impact on all genres of music. over forty years ago.
Billy Joel – A Salute to the Piano Man THE LIMHOF TRAVELING EXHIBIT
Featuring rarely seen footage of Long Island’s own piano
man, Billy Joel. Trace the history of this multi-Grammy win- These exhibits are meant
ning artist and LIMHoF inductee from his roots in a Hicks- to inspire the exploration
ville-based garage band through his record-breaking shows and celebrate the music
at Madison Square Garden in 2006. that has been made by Long
Islanders for over a century.
This Trane Stopped in Dix Hills
The island’s musical his-
An evening chronicling the career of jazz legend John Col-
trane including a discussion of the years he lived on Long tory begins in the 1890s
Island. The program features footage of this master of Jazz with John Philip Sousa and
that has never been broadcast in the US. encompasses Long Island’s
Kings, Queens, Nassau and
The Long Island Sound and Scene Suffolk counties.
The birth of blue-eyed soul, psychedelic freak-outs and As music progressed,
pounding garage rock...it all happened here on Long Island in LI served as the home of
the swingin’ 60s. From the groups that made the charts (Va- many renowned jazz per-
nilla Fudge), to the bands loved by the locals (the Smubbs),
formers and classical composers of the 1940s, 50s and
they’re all a part of this celebratory program.
60s, the stomping ground for some of America’s great folk
Long Island Live! Where the Music Played artists and Brill Building songwriters of the 50s and 60s,
Join the Long Island Music Hall of Fame for a multimedia, and the starting point for many major rock and hip-hop acts
virtual-tour of some of the most famous places the music from the 70s to today.
played during the heyday of Long Island’s live music scene. The Hall’s library exhibits reflect these eras and per-
Simon & Garfunkel - Simon, Garfunkel, Tom, Jerry, Tico, formers through photographs, collectibles and ephemera
Artie Garr ... and Friends relating to musicians as diverse as George M. Cohan and
Rare audio recordings will outline the period when Paul Si- Pat Benatar.
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8. PRESS