George Peter Criscuola—best known as Peter Criss—is a founding member and original drummer for the rock ’n roll supergroup KISS. In addition to playing drums in the band, Criss, who donned a “Catman” persona, also provided lead vocals for a number KISS’ most popular songs including “Beth,” which he co-wrote. “Beth” became KISS’ highest-charting single, […]
Read MoreRussell Javors was born in Brooklyn in 1952 and spent his childhood in Plainview. He developed his musical chops in a junior high school band, and at fifteen he began going to My House, a popular club in Plainview, to watch other local bands perform, especially two of his favorites—The Hassles, featuring Billy Joel, and […]
Read MoreAs a teenager growing up in Hollywood, California, Joan Jett gained attention as the guitarist, main songwriter and, eventually, lead singer of the pioneering all-women pre-punk band The Runaways. After the Runaways disbanded in 1979, Jett produced an album for Los Angeles punk rock band The Germs and then embarked on a solo career. She […]
Read MoreHaving sold more than 150 million records, Billy Joel ranks as one of most popular recording artists of all time. His solo career began with the album Cold Spring Harbor, which was recorded at Ultrasonic Studios in Hempstead. In 1972, he packed up and moved to California, where he played lounge piano under the pseudonym […]
Read MoreAl Kooper was born in Brooklyn and grew up in Hollis Hills, Queens. In 1958, he began his professional career as guitarist in The Royal Teens (“Short Shorts”). He evolved into a Tin Pan Alley songwriter with cuts by Gary Lewis, Gene Pitney, Keely Smith, Carmen MacRae, Pat Boone, and others. In the mid-1960s, Kooper […]
Read MoreIn 1949, Eddie Money was born Edward Joseph Mahoney in Brooklyn, New York, and lived in Plainedge as a teen. Although he dreamed of being a musician, after high school Eddie decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a police officer. In 1968, after serving as a New York City police officer for […]
Read MoreBorn in Brooklyn in 1942, “Father of Woodstock” Arthur “Artie” Kornfeld would become one of the most respected composers, publishers, producers, and promoters in the history of rock and roll. In the early 1950s, he was raised in Levittown, New York, but his family moved constantly (he attended six different schools). Kornfeld started playing symphonic […]
Read MoreBrooklyn-born Jon Bauman, best known for his zany alter ego, “Bowzer” of rock ‘n’ roll group Sha Na Na, was something of a child prodigy at the piano. He started classical lessons at age 7 and attended the prestigious Juilliard School in New York at age 12. He went on to graduate magna cum laude […]
Read MoreBorn in Rockville Centre, New York, to a show-business family in 1949, singer-songwriter Elliott Murphy grew up in nearby Garden City and began playing guitar at age 12. His music career took off when his band, The Rapscallions, won the New York State Battle of the Bands in 1966. This was followed by a troubadour-like […]
Read MoreLong Beach, New York-based Taking Back Sunday took the punk style of the existing Long Island music scene and made it more melodic and memorable, tapping into the intense emotions following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Formed by guitarist Eddie Reyes (who is no longer with the band) in 1999, Taking Back Sunday today consists of […]
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