From Pat Benatar:
My parents moved from Brooklyn to Long Island in 1956 when I was 3 yrs. old. They had dreams of a better life for our family. That was exactly what we had. I have wonderful childhood memories of picking berries in the "woods" by our house,driving to the "docks" on the South Bay to get freshly harvested clams, marching in the Lindenhurst High School Homecoming Parade,mostly in the rain....:-) and singing with the high school choir at the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.
We were a working class family, as was most of our neighborhood .....I think ONE family had a "nice" car. We didn't have much, and my father and mother's paychecks never seemed to equal the stack of bills on the kitchen table, but we had a great life. Lots of love and laughs.
Because I watched my neighborhood struggle, I learned all about the work ethic. I learned that nobody was going to hand you anything,and if you worked hard, ANYTHING was possible. But mostly I learned to be happy with what I had and who I was. So, my ambition was pure.......I wasn't running away from my life......I was simply following my dreams.
I believe that my upbringing shaped the person I was able to become and the values and ideals I learned back in my hometown kept me grounded when my life changed forever. I've never forgotten where I came from, in fact, I bring my husband and children there regularly so they can experience what I reminisce about, first hand. I know I have been blessed......I never forget that a small town girl from Lindenhurst, LI actually got the chance to live her dreams and share those dreams with so many people. For that, I am forever grateful. Thank you so much for this honor, I will cherish it always. And one more thing......Long Island girls ROCK!!!
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Just want to tell you all how wonderful the LIMHOF AWARDS CEREMONY WAS! What a FANTASTIC night!!! It was beautifully & tastefully done with no expense spared!! The evening was so well organized-from the Mustangs available, to the Red Carpet, the photographers, the Green Room, presentations, dinner etc., etc. You folks did some job! I might be just a "star-struck" kid from Brooklyn, but I felt like I was in a Hollywood musical...it was like being a dream. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to attend this very special event, and thank you for all your work & efforts.
Jan
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I wanted to thank you and everyone at the Hall of Fame for the fantastic party. It was an honor to be a part of the evening.
Thanks again for a wonderful evening.
Sincerely,
Gina Lombardo
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I was the first one to say the line, "The best band in the land" and
Basie was their leader. Thats how much I thought of him and his band.
The Basie band was my favorite band of all the bands in the world and
Basie was their leader.
Tony Bennett
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The band was awesome. they did a great job. I'd love to come back again and I'll try to find something meaningful for the museum.
I'll have great memories of that night...
Jay Siegel
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I just wanted to thank you for inviting me to the second annual Long Island Music Hall Of Fame. I thought you did a wonderful job! Everything seemed to run so smoothly. Great staging, dinner, band and media set-up. I felt like I was at the Academy Awards, everything was so professional. My hats off to you! I hope someday I may qualify to be inducted into the LIMHOF. Just so you know in case that might ever come up, I lived in Mineola and Forest Hills Gardens, for many years before moving upstate. It was so much fun seeing the Good Rats, my old band buddies. I was a member of the Good Rats for two years previous to their Kapp Records LP. Also seeing Carmine Appice, meeting Blue Oyster Cult who surprised me when they told me what
fans they were of my recording "She Cried". And of course, Kenny who
started Jay & the Americans with Sandy Yaguda and myself. Again, LI boys. I know Jay Siegel was thrilled to be there and to be inducted by LIMHOF. The evening was just wonderful and I Thank You for that. May the Long Island Music Hall Of Fame have much success. Anything I can do
to help, please call.
Regards,
Jay Traynor
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I just wanted to thank you for inviting us to the LI Hall of Fame Gala. It was a really special night. I can see how much effort went into it. The room looked great! The best was running into old friends, and catching up.Thanks again, we had a great time.
Best,
Mary Weiss (The Shangri-Las)
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We had a good time, and ran into some old friends. Yes, I would like to continue to be involved, please keep me informed of what's up.,
Best,
Bob
Gruen
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I truly appreciate you working with me on his last minute appearance and acceptance of his induction. It was a great event & an honor for LL. I'm so glad it all worked out. We will definitely stay in touch.
Best,
Claudine
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I want to send out my congratulations to you all on the induction event. It was an elegant affair and the celebrities and others I spoke with all had a great time and looked at LIMHOF in a good light.
Thank you
Richard L'Hommedieu
Founding Chairman LI Music Hall of Fame
