NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) in Stony Brook announced the opening of a landmark exhibition, "Billy Joel — My Life: A Piano Man’s Journey," on Thursday.
"This will be a chronicle of his life, from growing up in Hicksville through all phases of his career, with memorabilia from each era, including his 1987 trip to Russia, and tours with Elton John as well as his residency at Madison Square Garden," LIMEHOF chairman Ernie Canadeo told Newsday. "We are covering everything!"
Creative Director Kevin O’Callaghan is designing the exhibit. He had pitched the concept to the 74-year-old Long Island native backstage at Madison Square Garden in February.
"We have rare photos, awards, instruments, platinum and gold records as well as other items no one has ever seen before. There will also be rare video and audio recordings from the studio," Canadeo said.
The exhibition has a three-dimensional image of a young Billy Joel on Long Island, serving as the title wall.
Inside, visitors can see a 20-foot keyboard-shaped counter, a baby grand piano-shaped trophy case, and a gift shop filled with Joel-themed merchandise.
"We wanted to show where Billy came from musically. He is a loyal guy who respects the past," O’Callaghan told Newsday. "The first thing you see is a 1960s wooden style TV set playing The Beatles on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ from 1964 and a quote from Billy stating, ‘This is the moment that changed my life.’ It had a strong impact on him."
The exhibition will feature a recreation of the stage set from Joel's early band, the Hassles, including the original drum kit.
In the center of the room, there will be a 9-foot piano that Joel used on his "Face 2 Face Tour" with Elton John will sit on a revolving stage, accompanied by concert footage playing in a 25-foot floor-to-ceiling alcove equipped with full audio.
The exhibition will also feature a faithful reproduction of A & R Recording, Inc., where Joel recorded his hit "My Life" from the 1978 album "52nd Street." This section will include his actual Yamaha CP-70 electric piano, complete with the Oriental rug that once adorned the studio, O’Callaghan explained.
A special tribute to the Billy Joel Band will spotlight key members: drummer Liberty DeVitto, bassist Doug Stegmeyer, guitarist Russell Javors, and saxophonist Richie Cannata.
On the second floor, a glass case will display Joel's famous awards, generously loaned to LIMEHOF by the artist himself. This collection includes Grammys, Kennedy Center Honors, gold and platinum records, and more.
In addition to the exhibition, LIMEHOF's theater on the second floor will screen Billy Joel films, including "The Last Play at Shea" and others.
For fans seeking a memorable photo opportunity, three iconic Billy Joel album covers—“The Stranger” (1977), “52nd Street” (1978), and “Glass Houses” (1980)—will be reproduced in 8-by-8-foot size, allowing visitors to pose alongside them and become a part of the album covers.
"Even the floor will also have projections of performances," O’Callaghan said. "Plus, there will be a giant TV playing all his MTV videos from the ’80s."
The "Billy Joel – My Life, A Piano Man’s Journey" exhibit opens Nov. 24 for a limited time. Tickets are available.