The Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame Podcast

Send us a textCarter Burwell was inducted into the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame Hall of Fame in 2016.Carter Burwell was born on November 18, 1954. He graduated from Harvard College in 1977. While at Harvard, he studied animation with Mary Beams and George Griffin, electronic music with Ivan Tcherepnin, and pursued a course of independent study at the MIT Media Lab (then known as the Architecture Machine Group). After graduation he became a teaching assistant in the Harvard Electronic Music Studio. In 1979, his animated film Help, I’m Being Crushed to Death by a Black Rectangle won first place at the Jacksonville Film Festival and second place at the Ottawa International Animation Festival. From 1979 to 1981 Burwell worked as chief computer scientist at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in Long Island, where he wrote software for image processing, lab automation, and protein analysis. From 1982 to 1987, he worked at the New York Institute of Technology where he began as a computer modeler and animator but later became director of digital sound research. During this time, he worked on many computer-animated television spots and films, ultimately contributing models and animation to the Japanese anime Lensman. During the 1980s, Burwell pursued a parallel career in music, playing with a number of bands in New York City. He was also writing music for dance, theatre, and film. Since this time, he has scored a number of feature films—including Miller’s Crossing, Barton Fink, Being John Malkovich, and The Kids Are All Right—while teaching and continuing to compose dance, theater, and other work.This interview previously aired on Tom Needham's The Sounds of Film.The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is located at: Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame 97 Main Street Stony Brook, NY 11790Buy tickets to visit LIMEHOF at: https://www.limusichalloffame.org/tickets-and-gift-cards/ The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is located at: 97 Main StreetStony Brook, NY 11790Email: info@limusichalloffame.orgPhone: 631-689-5888

Send us a textLong Island Music Hall of Fame Inductee, Elliott Murphy, joins Tom Needham on the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame Podcast to discuss his film, BROKEN POET.BROKEN POET is the story of 1970's rock star Jake Lion, who was presumed dead in Paris until his former roadie Plynth happens to be riding in the Paris Metro forty years after Jake's much publicized suicide and happens to hear an aged street musician who sounds just like him.In search of an exclusive story, 'Rolling Stone' publisher Kathy Madison sends rock journalist Meg Trudeau to Paris to investigate. Before leaving Meg visits Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa at their New Jersey home in hopes of gaining insight into Jake Lion's successful career and tragic death.BROKEN POET stars Elliott Murphy and is based on his original short story, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." It features significant cameos from Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa. The film, directed by Emilio Ruiz Barrachina, is an independent production that has received unique sponsorship from 'Rolling Stone Magazine.'Elliott Murphy is a musician, novelist, producer and journalist who lives in Paris. In 1973, he released the critically-acclaimed AQUASHOW. In 2018, he was was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame by his friend, Billy Joel.This interview originally aired on Tom Needham's THE SOUNDS OF FILMBuy tickets to visit LIMEHOF at: https://www.limusichalloffame.org/tickets-and-gift-cards/ The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is located at: 97 Main StreetStony Brook, NY 11790Email: info@limusichalloffame.orgPhone: 631-689-5888

Send us a textTom Needham speaks with LIMEHOF inductees EPMD members Erick Sermon, Parrish Smith and DJ Diamond the Artist.Trailblazing hip-hop group EPMD consists of Erick Sermon (E Double) and Parrish Smith (Parrish Mic Doc), who met in high school in their hometown of Brentwood, New York. Inspired by funky hardcore acts such as Eric B. & Rakim and Public Enemy, the duo formed EPMD, the group name a fusion of their own names—“E” and “PMD”—creating the acronym for “Erick and Parrish Making Dollars.” EPMD’s first album, Strictly Business, dropped in 1988, and the group’s had six albums since, all with the word “business” in the titles—Unfinished Business (1989), Business as Usual (1990), Business Never Personal (1992), Back in Business (1997), Out of Business (1999), and We Mean Business (2008). (Every album also has a track with “Jane” in the title.) EPMD has been active for more than 30 years (not counting two breakups, in 1993 and 1999) and continues to be one of the most prominent acts in East Coast hip-hop.This interview previously aired on Tom Needham's Sounds of Film.Buy tickets to visit LIMEHOF at: https://www.limusichalloffame.org/tickets-and-gift-cards/ The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is located at: 97 Main StreetStony Brook, NY 11790Email: info@limusichalloffame.orgPhone: 631-689-5888

Send us a textFor more than fifty years, Wayne Robins has been recognized as one of America’s top music and pop culture journalists.Beginning with his first professional job in 1972 at CBS Records, Wayne’s mid-70’s writings for Rolling Stone, New Musical Express, Melody Maker, The Village Voice and Creem Magazine (where he also served as Editor) eventually brought him home to Long Island to serve as Newsday’s pop music writer in 1975. For the next 20 years, Wayne’s reviews, interviews and reporting were ‘must-reading’ for music fans locally and beyond. In 1986, Goldmine Magazine named Wayne as America’s Best Rock Writer.Wayne’s writing can be found on numerous album liner notes and booklets, including his 3,000 word essay for the 2014 Sony Music DVD package release of “Billy Joel : The Bridge to Russia.”Wayne’s post Newsday work included stints at Billboard and Radio and Records magazines. He currently writes the widely popular ‘Critical Conditions’ column on substack.com.The author of several books – including the influential “A Brief History of Rock; Off The Record’ – coupled with his many publications and book chapter contributions are highlights of Wayne’s resume as Adjunct Professor of Journalism at St. John’s University where, as an award-winning faculty member, he trains a new generation of journalists and critics. He serves as a member of the editorial board, Rock Music Studies (Routledge).Wayne Robins’ journalistic work has influenced the musical tastes and interests of a generation of Long Islanders. He covered the birth of the punk scene and new wave. He wrote about reggae entering the American music mainstream. Whether he was covering concerts at Nassau Coliseum and Westbury Music Fair or at one of Long Island’s many legendary clubs, he credits Newsday as giving him the space to write, think, examine, and interpret. His goal as a journalist has always been to educate, entertain, inform and illuminate. His readers trust him to be honest and fair while his interviews are ‘master classes’ in the art of songwriting and performing.Buy tickets to visit LIMEHOF at: https://www.limusichalloffame.org/tickets-and-gift-cards/ The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is located at: 97 Main StreetStony Brook, NY 11790Email: info@limusichalloffame.orgPhone: 631-689-5888

Send us a textJimmy Webb will be discussing his  autobiography, The Cake and the Rain. Jimmy Webb is one of America’s most celebrated songwriters and composers. He has written many platinum hits including “MacArthur Park,” “The Worst That Could Happen,” “By the Time I Get To Phoenix,” and “Witchita Lineman.” He is especially well-known for his work with Glen Campbell, the 5th Dimension and Art Garfunkel. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1990, received the National Academy of Songwriters Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993, and received the Ivor Novello Special International Award in 2012. He is also the only person to ever receive Grammy Awards for music, lyrics and orchestration. Jimmy Webb's memoir, The Cake and the Rain, delivers a snapshot of his life from 1955 to the 1970’s. Jimmy Webb is one of many artists who will be performing at the Long Island Music & Entertainment's 20th Anniversary Concert Honoring Billy Joel at the Tilles Center on June 7th 2024.This interview aired previously on Tom Needham's The Sounds of Film.Buy tickets to visit LIMEHOF at: https://www.limusichalloffame.org/tickets-and-gift-cards/ The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is located at: 97 Main StreetStony Brook, NY 11790Email: info@limusichalloffame.orgPhone: 631-689-5888

Send us a textLong Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame Inductee, Liberty DeVitto, played drums on every Billy Joel album from 1976-1993, including the albums Turnstiles, The Stranger, 52nd Street, Glass Houses, and An Innocent Man. He is also prominently featured in the documentary Billy Joel: A Matter of Trust - The Bridge to Russia. DeVitto said, "Long Island was a huge part of our success. All of the guys hung out and had fun together. In fact, the one thing that we could always relate to was that we all grew up on Long Island."Through the years, he has worked with a variety of artists including Karen Carpenter, Meatloaf, Carly Simon and Stevie Nicks. For the last several years, he has been part of the popular rock group the Slim Kings. In 2014, Liberty was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame along with fellow Billy Joel band members Russell Javors, Doug Stegmeyer and Richie Cannata. After their induction, DeVitto, Javors and Cannata announced that they were reuniting and performing together as a group named the Lords of 52nd Street.This interviewed aired previously on Tom Needham's The Sounds of Film.Buy tickets to visit LIMEHOF at: https://www.limusichalloffame.org/tickets-and-gift-cards/ The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is located at: 97 Main StreetStony Brook, NY 11790Email: info@limusichalloffame.orgPhone: 631-689-5888

Send us a textLegendary member of the rock group Vanilla Fudge, Carmine Appice, will be Tom Needham’s exclusive guest for the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame Podcast. He will be talking about Vanilla Fudge’s influential music career and their DVD/CD, ‘Live At Sweden Rock – The 50th Anniversary.’Originally formed in 1967, Long Island’s Vanilla Fudge members Carmine Appice, Mark Stein, Vinny Martell and Tim Bogart became famous for playing re-vamped rock versions of popular soul hits. They became one of the most successful psychedelic rock groups to emerge out of the 1960’s with sold out world tours, hit singles and albums, and a reputation for cutting-edge musicianship. At one point, they toured with Jimi Hendrix, and Led Zepplin was their opening act. Their hit single “You Keep Me Hanging On” landed them on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show,’ ‘The Dick Cavett Show’ and ‘The Merv Griffin Show.’  On October 15, 2006, Vanilla Fudge was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame along with Billy Joel, Joan Jett and Twisted Sister.Vanilla Fudge’s ‘Live at Sweden Rock – The 50th Anniversary’ DVD/CD captures the group’s amazing performance in front of an audience of thousands.  The concert film features psychedelic re-workings of songs by The Doors, The Monkees, Donovan and Led Zepplin.  It also showcases five decades of rock ‘n’ roll history. Buy tickets to visit LIMEHOF at: https://www.limusichalloffame.org/tickets-and-gift-cards/ The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is located at: 97 Main StreetStony Brook, NY 11790Email: info@limusichalloffame.orgPhone: 631-689-5888

Send us a textStephen Schwartz joins Tom Needham for a conversation about his career and his induction into the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame. Stephen Schwartz was born in New York City and studied piano and composition at the Juilliard School while in high school and graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 1968 with a B.F.A. in drama. Upon returning to New York, he worked as an A&R producer for RCA Records but shortly thereafter began to work in the Broadway theater. His first major credit was the title song for the play Butterflies Are Free, which was eventually used in the film adaptation as well. In 1971, he wrote the music and new lyrics for Godspell, for which he won two Grammys, among other awards. This was followed by the English texts, in collaboration with Leonard Bernstein, for Bernstein’s Mass, which opened the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The following year, he wrote the music and lyrics for Pippin, and two years later, The Magic Show. At one point, Godspell, Pippin, and The Magic Show were all running on Broadway simultaneously.  He next wrote the music and lyrics for The Baker’s Wife, followed by a musical version of Studs Terkel’s Working, to which he contributed four songs and which he also adapted and directed, winning a Drama Desk Award for Best Director. He also co-directed the television production, which was presented as part of the PBS American Playhouse series. Other work for the musical theater includes lyrics to Rags (music by Charles Strouse), music and lyrics for Children of Eden, and two musicals produced overseas, Mit Eventyr (My Fairy Tale) in Denmark and Schikaneder in Austria. He has also written songs for two musicals for young audiences, Captain Louie and My Son, Pinocchio. Compilation revues of his work include Snapshots and, for Princess Cruise Lines, Magic to Do. For film, he collaborated with composer Alan Menken on the songs for Disney’s Pocahontas, for which he received two Academy Awards and another Grammy, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Enchanted. He also provided songs for DreamWorks’ first animated feature, The Prince of Egypt, for which he won another Academy Award for the song “When You Believe.” The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Prince of Egypt have both been adapted for the stage. His most recent stage musical, Wicked, opened in the fall of 2003 and is currently running on Broadway and in several other productions around the world. He received another Grammy for the cast recording, and in 2008, Wicked reached its 1,900th performance on Broadway, making him the only songwriter in Broadway history ever to have three shows run more than 1,900 performances. His first opera, Séance on A Wet Afternoon, premiered at Opera Santa Barbara in 2009 and was subsequently produced by New York City Opera. His frequently performed choral works include Testimony, based on the It Gets Better Project, Keramos, and part of the Tyler Clemente Suite. He has also released two singer-songwriter CDs, Reluctant PilBuy tickets to visit LIMEHOF at: https://www.limusichalloffame.org/tickets-and-gift-cards/ The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is located at: 97 Main StreetStony Brook, NY 11790Email: info@limusichalloffame.orgPhone: 631-689-5888

Send us a textLong Island, New York, Music, Garland Jeffreys: The King of In Between Director, Claire Jeffreys, Up Next on THE LONG ISLAND MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT HALL OF FAME PODCAST"Garland Jeffreys: The King Of In Between" is a captivating music documentary directed by Claire Jeffreys, shedding light on the remarkable yet underappreciated career of Garland Jeffreys, a musician whose critical acclaim far outweighed his commercial success. The film explores Garland's life, shaped by his diverse heritage and early exposure to a wide range of musical influences, from doo-wop to jazz and rock'n'roll. Despite facing challenges in a music industry plagued by categorization, Garland emerged as a unique force with his solo debut album in 1973, earning praise from critics. The documentary delves into pivotal moments in Garland's career, such as the release of "Don't Call Me Buckwheat" in the early '90s, addressing racial struggles and musical diversity. Claire Jeffreys, Garland's longtime manager and spouse, skillfully navigates the delicate balance of filmmaker's distance, portraying not only the intricacies of his musical journey but also the love story between them. The film culminates in a celebration of Garland's career in 2019, providing a poignant reflection on his legacy and redefining the conventional notions of success in the music industry. Through interviews with music luminaries like Bruce Springsteen and Laurie Anderson, the documentary paints a vivid portrait of a musician who, despite not achieving mainstream fame, left an indelible mark on the American music landscape.The film just received the Audience Award at DOC NYC. This interview originally aired on Tom Needham's THE SOUNDS OF FILMTHE SOUNDS OF FILM is the nation's longest running film and music themed radio show. For the past 30 years, the program has delivered a popular mix of interviews and music to listeners all over Long Island, parts of Connecticut and streaming live worldwide on the internet. Past people interviewed for the show include Alec Baldwin, Billy Joel, Jimmy Webb, Garland Jeffreys, Laurie Anderson, Wallace Shawn, Dionne Warwick and Alexander Payne.Worldwide listeners can tune into the internet livestream on Thursday's SOUNDS OF FILM at 6 pm EST at wusb.fm.Buy tickets to visit LIMEHOF at: https://www.limusichalloffame.org/tickets-and-gift-cards/ The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is located at: 97 Main StreetStony Brook, NY 11790Email: info@limusichalloffame.orgPhone: 631-689-5888

Send us a textWOODSTOCK legend, Melanie, is Tom Needham’s special guests on THE LONG ISLAND MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT HALL OF FAME PODCAST Melanie died on January 23rd, 2024. In remembrance, Tom Needham shares a special conversation that he had with Melanie around the time that she was inducted into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame in 2018.Long Island Music Hall of Fame inductee Melanie is originally from Astoria, Queens.  She is best known for her hits “Brand New Key,” “Beautiful People,” and “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain).”  In 1969, she performed at the historic Woodstock Festival. Afterwards, she scored hits with “Peace Will Come” and a cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Ruby Tuesday.  Throughout her career, she has sold over 80 million records. In 1989, Melanie won an Emmy Award for writing the lyrics to the theme song for the TV series ‘Beauty and the Beast.’  In 2012 she collaborated with John Haldoupis to create an original musical about her love story with her late husband, Peter, called ‘Melanie and the Record Man.’ They discuss her DVD called ‘Melanie: Live at the Meltdown Festival 2007.’ The film captures Melanie’s triumphant return to London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall.This interview previously aired on Tom Needham’s THE SOUNDS OF FILM. Worldwide listeners can tune into the internet livestream of THE SOUNDS OF FILM on Thursday at 6 pm at wusb.fm.Buy tickets to visit LIMEHOF at: https://www.limusichalloffame.org/tickets-and-gift-cards/ The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is located at: 97 Main StreetStony Brook, NY 11790Email: info@limusichalloffame.orgPhone: 631-689-5888