LI Music Hall of Fame Inducting Billy Joel Band, Patti Lupone and More in Huntington

Billy Joel is doing Long Island proud again, with word that his original band will be inducted by the Long Island Music Hall of Fame on Thursday, Oct. 23. The Billy Joel Band will be part of the fifth class of honorees recognized at an award ceremony and fundraising gala at The Paramount in Huntington.

Joel won’t be at the gala – his schedule calls for him to be out of the country then, Newsday reported.That means he won’t be on hand to see the induction of his band members, including Liberty DeVitto on drums and percussion, Doug Stegmeyer on bass guitar and backing vocals, Russell Javors on rhythm and lead guitars, harmonica and backing vocals, and Richie Cannata on keyboards, saxophones, flute, clarinet and percussion.

They will be among the performers and industry heavy hitters to be inducted. Other inductees include record producer and music industry executive Clive Davis, concert promoter Ron Delsener and actress and singer Patti LuPone. Additional inductees include lyricist Gerry Goffin, record producer and remixer Steve Thompson, singer Debbie Gibson, rapper and record producer Kurtis Blow, and the 2014 Harry Chapin Award recipient and previous LIMHoF inductee DMC of Run DMC.

“We are very excited to honor our fifth round of inductees,” said Jeff James, chairman of the Hall of Fame. “We are humbled to have such support from these industry giants who have contributed so much to the music history of Long Island.”

Scheduled performances include a musical tribute to Gerry Goffin. Other performers and special guests will be announced.

The Hall of Fame will also honor a music educator of the year, student music and non-profit scholarship recipients and a special award paying tribute to a historic accomplishment to mark the anniversary of Billy Joel’s historic trip to Russia.

Tickets go on sale Wednesday. General seating tickets are $75 and $150, and are available through The Paramount box office at 631-673-7300 or online. Premium VIP seating is available and includes full dinner and show. For information about premium seating, call 631-331-0808 or [email protected].

Inductees are selected by the the Hall of Fame’s board of directors from an evolving list of people and entities that were born, raised, founded, or have resided on geographic Long Island, including Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and 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.

Past inductees include Billy Joel, Lou Reed, Carole King, George M. Cohan, Louis Armstrong, Eddie Money, Joan Jett, Twisted Sister, Mariah Carey, The Ramones, Barbra Streisand, John Coltrane, Peter Criss (Kiss), DMC of Run DMC, John Zorn, Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Taylor Dayne, Salt N Pepa, Randy Weston, Zebra, Lovin’ Spoonful’s Joe Butler and Steve Boone, Ervin Drake, Gary U.S. Bonds, Stanley Drucker (New York Philharmonic clarinetist), Sam “Bluzman” Taylor, gospel singer Donnie McClurkin, Eric Bloom and Buck Dharma (Blue Oyster Cult), Simon & Garfunkel, and Tony Bennett.