Long Island Music Hall of Fame has announced its New Year’s Eve Best of the Awards Galas TV special.
The 90-minute show is being presented by Jovia Financial Credit Union and will air on Thursday, Dec. 31st at 9 p.m. simultaneously on News 12 plus (optimum channel 61), Fios (Verizon channel 530) and stream on Facebook Live (facebook.com/news12li).
“We are thrilled to present many highlights from our past Induction Ceremonies in this 90-minute presentation, presented by Jovia Financial Credit Union, and benefiting the Long Island Music Hall of Fame’s educational and scholarship programs,” said Ernie Canadeo, Long Island Music Hall of Fame chairman. “It is a testament to Long Island’s diverse musical heritage with appearances and performances by so many world-renowned rock, folk, jazz, blues, hip-hop and classical artists. This New Year’s Eve presentation represents a finale to 2020 and a new beginning to live events in the new year.”
The show will be hosted by Zebra Guitarist and Vocalist Randy Jackson and will feature a mix of the best speeches, performances and special moments from past LIMHOF Induction Galas from 2006 through 2018.
“I was very surprised and flattered to be asked to host the 2020 LIMHOF “Best of the Award Galas,”said Randy Jackson, who is hosting the program. “The talent highlighted in this show far exceeds any other “regional” Hall of Fame, in both diversity and world-wide appeal. Back in 2006 I was asked to induct one of my idols, George Gershwin, into the 1st class of the LIMHOF. It is an honor to be back again to help present this retrospective!”
The special will also raise money for the LIMHOF music scholarship program and other educational initiatives such as the mobile museum through an auction of various items as well as accepting donations during the program.
The show will be dedicated to the late Guitarist Leslie West of Mississippi Queen and Mountain, who was a LIMHOF inductee himself, featured in the special.
“Leslie West, from Forest Hills Queens, first made his mark with The Vagrants…played LI clubs like the Action House and college venues,” said LIMHOF Co-founder Norm Presslin. “Then the band Mountain where he Corky, Felix and Steve rocked the universe. West, Bruce and Laing next and then much solo work (where he performed over so many years at so many venues). He’s been a great friend to LIMHoF and participated in our May ’20 TV broadcast with fellow inductees supporting the United Way of LI health care workers program. He brought Long Island attitude to the world! Mountain’s performance at our inaugural induction/gala in ’06 kicked off the night with a high-level dose of classic Mountain. Leslie, Corky and bassist Richie Scarlett appeared as the curtain rose after a short video montage underscored by…the cowbell. 1,110 people were taken on a ‘Long Island Sleighride’.”
The special is sponsored by Jovia Financial Credit Union and produced by LIMHOF. Performances, speeches and behind the scenes with Billy Joel, Debbie Gibson, Joan Jett, Mountain, Johnny Maestro & the Brooklyn Bridge, Little Anthony, Lou Reed, LL Cool J, Taking Back Sunday, Chuck D, Twisted Sister, Clive Davis, Little Steven, Good Rats, BOC, Steve Vai and many more.
BEST OF AWARD GALAS Artist Listing
Johnny Maestro & the Brooklyn Bridge
Lords of 52nd Street
Uniondale High School Show Choir
Joan Jett
Jen Chapin / DMC
Chuck D
LL Cool J
Kurtis Blow
News 12 clips/interviews (Taylor Dayne, Salt N Pepa)
Little Anthony & the Imperials
Debbie Gibson
Lou Reed
Ramones/Chris & Tina
Dee Snider
David Johansen
Leslie West / Mountain
Leslie West ID
Ritchie Havens
Billy Joel
Peter Tork
Garland Jeffreys
Eric Bloom/Buck Dharma
Roger Waters
Cousin Brucie
LL Cool J
Taylor Dayne
Steven Van Zandt
Dream Theater
Lesley Gore / Connie Stevens
Clive Davis
Taking Back Sunday
Good Rats
Cowsills
Bowzer and friends
