Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame Inducts The Hassles
Special Event Featured Live Performances by The Alessi Brothers, with Special Guest Guitarist Jimmy Rip and Drummer Mike Ricciardella
STONY BROOK, NY — The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) recently inducted Long Island’s own 1960s era seminal rock-soul group, The Hassles—best known as Billy Joel’s first major record label band—at its Stony Brook location (97 Main Street in Stony Brook, NY).
“The Hassles were a dynamic and influential part of Long Island’s musical fabric in the 1960s, known for their powerful performances and infectious sound,” said Tom Needham, LIMEHOF Vice Chairman. “Their recordings and live shows left a lasting impression on the region, and their role in launching Billy Joel’s career only adds to their enduring legacy.”
The Hassles were formed in 1964 and performed until 1969. They played in a wide range of Long Island venues and produced two full-length albums. Original members included Richard McKenna, Jon Small, John Dizek, Harry Weber, Billy Joel, and Howie Arthur Blauvelt.
LIMEHOF inductees Liberty DeVitto and Russell Javors (Billy Joel’s Band) officially inducted the group. Jon Small was the only surviving member of the band in attendance. He spoke, sharing his recollections of the band’s history and influence on Long Island. Family members of the original band members who could not be there or passed away accepted the induction awards on their relatives’ behalf. Billy Joel did not attend, but this induction made him a two-time LIMEHOF inductee.
LIMEHOF inductees Albert Bouchard (founding and former member of Blue Öyster Cult) and Jimmy Rosica (The Brooklyn Bridge) spoke as well.
The event featured live performances of three Hassles hit songs co-produced by Stephen Marcuccio. Current LIMEHOF inductees, including the hit-making duo The Alessi Brothers, and two-time LIMEHOF inductee drummer Mike Ricciardella of Barnaby Bye and The Illusion played joined on guitar by legendary guitarist Jimmy Rip.
About the Inductees
Formed in 1964 on Long Island, The Hassles gained regional and national attention with their fusion of R&B, rock, and blue-eyed soul. With Billy Joel on organ and vocals, and Jon Small on drums, the band released two albums (The Hassles and Hour of the Wolf) on United Artists Records and toured extensively, influencing generations of musicians. The Hassles marked the beginning of Billy Joel’s extraordinary musical journey, and Jon Small’s early role in the band was just the beginning of a dynamic and groundbreaking career.
HONORING JON SMALL: A PIONEER IN MUSIC VIDEO DIRECTION
After his tenure with The Hassles and the duo Attila (also with Billy Joel), Jon Small went on to redefine music visuals as one of the top video directors in the business. He has worked with an A-list roster of artists, including Garth Brooks, Whitney Houston, Sting, Billy Joel, and Meatloaf. He also worked with James Taylor, served as executive producer for Taylor Swift, and he also created Concert Films for Van Morrison, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Highway Men with Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and Waylon Jennings, among many other artists. Jon has produced and directed world-class concert films and music videos that have shaped the visual language of modern music, including his music
video, ‘Walk This Way.’ In this collaborative hit by Run-DMC and Aerosmith, Jon is credited with the iconic visual concept of the video, which featured the bands playing on opposite sides of a wall, and then breaking through to perform together.