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In this episode of the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame Podcast, we revisit a classic interview with Emmy-winning director Jim Brown, originally aired on Tom Needham’s “The Sounds of Film” radio show. Brown discusses his powerful documentary, “A Matter of Trust: The Bridge to Russia,” which chronicles Billy Joel’s historic 1987 tour of the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

The film, released as part of a Deluxe Edition by Columbia Records and Legacy Recordings in 2014, captures the groundbreaking cultural exchange that unfolded as Billy Joel brought Western rock and roll to Russian audiences for the first time. 

Featuring electrifying Billy Joel performances in Moscow, Leningrad, and Tbilisi, the tour became a symbol of unity and hope in a time of political reform and cultural change.

Jim Brown, celebrated for his work on iconic documentaries like “Pete Seeger: The Power of Song” and “American Roots Music,” shares his insights into documenting this pivotal moment in music and political history. 

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is located at:

97 Main Street
Stony Brook, NY 11790
Email: info@limusichalloffame.org
Phone: 631-689-5888