The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) will close out its record-breaking exhibit Billy Joel: My Life – A Piano Man’s Journey with a final fan event worthy of the “Piano Man” himself. On Saturday, October 25 at 2 p.m., LIMEHOF will host The Billy Joel Collectors Presentation, a one-of-a-kind gathering celebrating the local collectors whose rare memorabilia helped make the exhibit such a success. The event is free with admission, and the exhibit officially closes its doors the following day, Sunday, October 26.
A Fitting Finale for a Historic Exhibit
Since opening in 2022, My Life – A Piano Man’s Journey has drawn thousands of visitors, offering fans an intimate look at Billy Joel’s storied career through artifacts, photographs, and personal items. The October event will shine a spotlight on the exhibit’s creative designer Kevin O’Callaghan, along with collectors Paul Fierro and Eric Fellen, whose private archives brought even more depth and authenticity to the experience.
“We’re thrilled to be able to honor these collectors and put them in the spotlight,” said Barry Fisch, LIMEHOF Board Member and General Manager. “Their passion for collecting is part of what made the exhibit such a popular success over the last two years, and thousands of visitors have enjoyed seeing these rare items—all in one exhibit.”
When Billy Joel himself visited the exhibit, he was reportedly overwhelmed by the sheer scope of the display — “all this stuff,” as he called it — much of which he hadn’t seen in decades.
Behind the Scenes with Billy Joel and His Collectors
O’Callaghan, a renowned designer and LIMEHOF board member, worked directly with Joel to craft the exhibit. He recalls that when local collectors approached him after the initial announcement, their contributions transformed the project into something extraordinary.
“It was so exciting to have MAJOR collectors approach us after the initial announcement,” O’Callaghan said. “Their contributions put the exhibition over the top — in fact, it made Billy Joel say when he came to the opening, ‘WOW! Where did you find ALL this stuff?’ He was thrilled to see things that he thought were lost!”
At the October 25th presentation, O’Callaghan, Fierro, and Fellen will discuss the stories behind their collections — from tracking down rare records and tour memorabilia to collaborating with Joel’s own team. The trio will take what LIMEHOF calls a “final curtain-call bow” as the exhibit reaches its closing weekend.
Fans Can Take Home a Piece of History
In true collector spirit, attendees will have the opportunity to win or bid on authentic Billy Joel memorabilia. The event will feature door prizes and a silent auction, with proceeds benefiting LIMEHOF.
Door prizes include:
- “Live from Long Island” promotional matches
- Pins from Billy Joel’s 1987 Russian Tour
- Autographed photos of drummer Liberty DeVitto (a LIMEHOF inductee)
- Commemorative items from Billy’s 70th birthday at Madison Square Garden
- 1990 Storm Front USO/DOD flyers, and more
Auction items include:
- Billy Joel New York Yankees bobblehead
- Japanese Tour promo LPs from 1978–1979
- The Stranger 1977 promo mobile
- The Nylon Curtain coffee mug
- Original 100th MSG Show poster and keychain
- Backstage passes, promo albums, rare vinyl pressings, and much more
A Legacy That Lives On
While My Life – A Piano Man’s Journey closes its run, select artifacts will remain on display as part of The Billy Joel Collection – On Loan from the Billy Joel Archives, presented by Catholic Health. This next phase will feature newly curated pieces from Joel’s own archives, many never before seen by the public. Full details about the next exhibit will be announced later this month.
For more information, visit www.limusichalloffame.org.
About the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame
Founded in 2004, the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating and preserving the region’s rich musical and entertainment legacy across Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and Brooklyn. Since opening its first physical location in Stony Brook in 2022, LIMEHOF has inducted over 130 artists and industry figures while continuing to offer scholarships, education programs, and community events that honor Long Island’s creative spirit.
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