by Debbie Tuma – Photos by Debbie Tuma & June Cybulski
If you’re a Billy Joel fan (and who isn’t?) you don’t want to miss these last few weeks of his extensive exhibit of personal treasures at the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame in downtown Stony Brook. After two fabulous years at this Long Island location, the Piano Man’s “My Life” exhibit is “Movin’ Out” on October 26, after a successful long run.
Thousands of fans from not only Long Island, but around the world, have come to this show, since it opened in November of 2023. My friend June and I went there, and were met by Barry Fisch, Director and General Manager of the LI Hall of Fame, and by Kevin O’Callaghan, noted Set Designer of the LI Music Hall of Fame, as well movies and television. He is chairman of the 3-D design department at the School of Visual Arts in NYC, where he has taught for 40 years. In 2020 he was inducted into the Art Directors Hall of Fame for Design. He is also the author of a coffee table book called, “Monumental,” which features hundreds of beautiful and useful design objects, made out of obsolete, useless, cast-off technology.
It must be noted that the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is located in a huge and beautiful white building in the Historic Main Street section of Stony Brook. On the roof is a big blue sign, “Billy Joel: My Life—A Piano Man’s Journey.”
Joel’s exhibit takes up the whole first floor of this two-story museum. Walking in, we pass a gift shop with Billy Joel T-shirts, (some framed), posters, magnets, shot glasses, and other commemorative items. In the lobby is an old Juke Box which O’Callaghan donated, and a sleigh he built that looks like a hot rod. It was in the Broadway show, “Twisted Christmas,” starring his old friend Dee Snider from the Long Island band “Twisted Sister.”
Sporting a black leather jacket, a handlebar mustache, and wild print cowboy boots, O’Callaghan gave us a tour of the Billy Joel exhibit. Walking in, the walls are covered with colorful concert posters and other memorabilia. The first thing we see is a black and white TV set with the Beatles singing on the Ed Sullivan show. “That was the pivotal moment that changed Billy Joel’s life forever,” said O’Callaghan. “He wanted to become a musician.” Other career influences were The Beach Boys, Dave Brubeck and Ray Charles.”
Along the walls there were Billy Joel’s photos from school and his neighborhood, growing up in Levittown. Even a photo of Virginia, the little girl he had a crush on, which he later put into one of his songs. Photos and records of his first band, “The Hassles,” in the 60’s, in Hampton Bays and other LI clubs. Billy’s first solo album, “Cold Spring Harbor,” in 1971. Memorabilia from his famous 1973 album, “Piano Man,” which he created on a trip to California. This extensive exhibit of Joel’s life has all his album covers and there are even headphones where you can listen to them. There is also also Joel’s band member Richie Cannata’s saxophone, which he played in Joel’s song “New York State of Mind.”
O’Callaghan noted that he was grateful to Billy Joel for donating so many of his prized possessions from his career, to the Hall of Fame. “Billy was a prince—so helpful and generous to help us put together this amazing collection,” he said. “We also gathered some things he didn’t expect—when he came here he couldn’t believe all the things we found from his life. After scanning the exhibit, Billy looked at me and said, “I guess I’ve had quite a life!”
O’Callaghan added, “He gave us 10 custom made playlists from the Elton John/Billy Joel Tour, “Face to Face.” He even donated a baby grand piano from this tour, to the museum, which was one of many baby grands that he owns. On top of the piano were his black sunglasses and his harmonica. 
Billy idolized Elton John and his friend Paul McCartney.”
In another area of his first-floor exhibit was one of Joel’s 75 motorcycles. “This was one of his favorite bikes, which he called “peas and carrots,” because of the green and orange finish on it,” said O’Callaghan.
There was also a big sign of Shea Stadium with the words “The Last Play at Shea,” in 2008. Another highlight was a gold moon man trophy that Joel got for participating in the music video “We Are The World.” 
In this museum is also the first music CD ever produced—of Joel’s album “52nd Street,” and his keyboard from the recording of 52nd Street. And merchandise from the souvenir stand at his “Movin’ Out” show on Broadway.
“Billy would have given me any of his awards for this exhibit, except the one he got from the Kennedy Center, for his lifetime contribution to American culture through music, which meant a lot to him,” O’Callaghan explained.
On the way out, two visitors from Westboro, Massachsetts, Robin and Andy Feldman, who had joined us on the tour, said how happy they were to have found this place. “We were in Stony Brook taking our daughter to college here, and we heard about this Music Hall of Fame,” said Andy Feldman. “We’re both Billy Joel fans, and this has been an amazing experience.”
When this show ends on October 26, you can still experience memorabilia from numerous famous Long Island, Queens and Brooklyn musicians, including Harry Chapin, Pat Benatar, Cyndi Lauper, Dee Snider, The Ramones, Brooklyn Bridge, Joan Jett, Kiss, and more. A new featured new show will be announced later, to take the place of Joel’s first floor exhibit. For more information, call the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, located at 97 Main Street in Stony Brook at 631-689-5888. https://www.limusichalloffame.org/