Longtime Massapequa Resident Inducted Into Long Island Music Hall of Fame

He's been playing music around the world for more than 60 years, but last night he was honored at home. 

Long time Massapequa resident Stanley Drucker was among those inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame at a gala ceremony held Tuesday at Huntington's Oheka Castle.

"It was like being at the Oscars with the red carpet and all the flashbulbs from the press," said Drucker who's lived in Massapequa since 1958. "It was a wonderful ceremony. I was honored to be inducted with musicians of all types. It was exciting and uplifting."

Drucker, 81, spent 60 years with the New York Philharmonic, and was the principal clarinetist for 48 years, before stepping down in 2009. He's believed to have performed in more than 10,000 concerts.

He may be a veteran musician, but he's not the first member of his family to be go into the Hall of Fame. His son, who goes by the stage name Lee Rocker, was inducted a member of the '8os band, Stray Cats.

His wife is the director of the American Musical Ensemble, while his daughter is a singer songwriter based in Nashville. All were on hand for the ceremony.

"It was a real family affair," Drucker said.

Also honored were Musician Lou Reed, Carole Demas and Paula Janis, hosts of the 1970s children show "The Magic Garden" and Michael "Eppy" Epstein, co-founder of Roslyn's version of the New York City club CBGB's, My Father's Place.

Reed, a Freeport native, avoided the red carpet and the press except for posing for a quick picture with fellow inductee John Zorn. The women of the Garden, who hit the red carpet with their co-star, Sherlock, were welcomed with cheers and applause from the guests and even several members of the press. Even the man who was there to induct them could not help gushing over the hosts of the beloved children's show.

"They are the reason I became a performer. It was a real honor to induct them," said John Tartaglia, puppeteer and producer of the off Broadway musical show, "ImaginOcean."

 Fellow inductee and Wyandanch native Rakim posed with the women for a picture. "I loved their show," the rap artist said.  

The Magic Garden ran from 1972-1984 on WPIX-11 in New York. Some of the hallmarks of the show included the hello and goodbye songs, the story box, the chuckle patch and a pink squirrel by the name of Sherlock.

 "We needed a child on the show, and he was the child," Demas said.

 Michael "Eppy" Epstein, co-founder of "My Father's Place", was there not only to celebrate his club's induction to the LIMHoF as the first venue to be inducted, but also to celebrate the release of the book "Fun and Dangerous." The book offers an account of the Roslyn-based club during its 16-year reign as Long Island's premiere spot for musical and comedic talent from 1971-1987.

"My Father's Place was the center of a musical renaissance that may never be seen again," wrote Alex Ewen in the book's preface. Some of the acts that played there before they were famous included Bruce Springsteen, the Talking Heads, the Good Rats and Blondie. Epstein's current endeavor, Road Warrior Entertainment (RWE) seeks to accomplish the same thing.

 "We have to work together to bring back music and records," Epstein said.

 Another member of RWE and fellow inductee at this year's ceremony, Denis McNamara, is also on the LIMHoF's board of directors. "Radio can be engrossing. It can take you places. I'm a big believer in this institution," he said. McNamara worked for Epstein's radio station, WLIR-FM, in the 1980's. McNamara is the acclaimed disc jockey turned program director who is widely recognized for bringing a distinct modern rock and new wave sound to the station in that era.

Inducting a venue was not the only first for the evening or the LIMHoF.  The first photographer was inducted, Great Neck native Bob Gruen.

"I've been to a lot of these award ceremonies and I always wondered what it is like to be up here. I'm extremely honored to be written into the history of Long Island," Gruen said.

So far, that history does not have an actual home.

"There is a building in Port Jefferson that we want to use. We've been held up by so many things, but Mayor Margo Garant has given us so much support. We all want it to happen so it's up to the lawyers to work out the details," said Beth Krakower, media coordinator for the LIMHoF.

The plans include a museum, an educational facility, a resource center and a performance venue that will assist the LIMHoF's in its commitment to preserve and celebrate Long Island's musical heritage for future generations.

This year's other inductees included musician Teddy Charles of Greenport, metal band Dream Theater of Huntington, Eric B. of Elmhurst, Morton Gould ( posthumously) from Richmond Hill, jazz percussionist Roy Haynes from Freeport, singer, songwriter and co-founding member of Blood, Sweat and Tears, Al Kooper from Brooklyn, booking agent Steve Martin from Riverhead, gospel singer Donnie McClurkin from Amityville, Latin pianist Eddie Palmieri from Forest Hills and the 1960's girl group the Shangi-Las from Cambria Heights.

All of the new members of the LIMHoF join the company of past inductees that include Tony Bennett, Neil Diamond, Barbara Streisand, Billy Joel and Mariah Carey. For a complete list of members of the LIMHoF, see the website.