Long Island Music Hall of Fame Officially at Home in Port Jefferson

On Thursday morning Supervisor Mark Lesko, Councilman Steve Fiore-Rosenfield and Port Jefferson Village Mayor, Margot Garant met with the board members of the Long Island Music Hall of Fame to sign a license agreement that will allow the organization to operate a museum and education center in the former Town Tax Receiver's Office located on East Main Street.

"I'm thrilled that this day is finally here," said Fiore-Rosenfeld at the press conference. Fiore-Rosenfeld was instrumental in the process of the town and village coming together to make the agreement.

"Finally the rich deep heritage of Long Island – Long Island not New York City, Long Island – will come to fruition in this wonderful setting," he said. "I couldn't imagine a more wonderful setting then this beautiful downtown Port Jefferson, magnificent harbor, in this beautiful landmark building."

"We love the relationship we have with the village, they call it cool downtown, and it dosen't get any cooler then Port Jefferson and this is going to add to that," said Supervisor Lesko about the Hall of Fame being housed in the village.

The Mayor of Port Jefferson Village also spoke at the press conference saying, "On behalf fo the entire community of Port Jefferson, I'm thrilled to have the Hall of Fame as a year round cultural and educational destination." 

Jim Faith who is chairman of the board of directors for the Music Hall of Fame accepted the keys to the building from Councilman Fiore-Rosenfeld after signing the license agreement.

The agreement grants the Long Island Music Hall of Fame the ability to operate with the town-owned building for 15 years with an option for a 5 year extension.

"On behalf of the LI Music Hall of Fame board of directors, we are excited to work in harmony with the Town of Brookhaven and the village of Port Jefferson to finally see our dream of a brick and mortar, Long Island Music Hall of Fame Museum, come to fruition," said Faith.

In attendance at the press conferance to witness this historic event were Long Island Hall of Fame inductees and artists: Carole and Paula of TV's children's show The Magic Garden, DJ Johhy Juice from Public Enemy, Felix Cavaliere from The Rascals, Gary US Bonds, Herbert Deutsch, Michael 'Eppy' Epstein from My Father's Place, Randy Jackson from Zebra, Peppi and Mickey Marchello of The Good Rats, Mark Mandoza of Twisted Sister, and Vanilla Fudge members Carmine Appice and Vince Martell.