The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) has announced the lineup of speakers who will present papers at the inaugural Billy Joel Symposium, taking place June 6–7 at the Hall of Fame’s museum at 97 Main Street in Stony Brook.
The two-day academic conference will explore the music, lyrics, themes, and cultural impact of Billy Joel. During the weekend, LIMEHOF will also induct Joel’s longtime booking agent Dennis Arfa, chairman of the music division at Independent Artist Group.
“This symposium underscores that Billy Joel’s music isn’t just beloved — it’s historically and culturally significant,” said Tom Needham, executive director of the Billy Joel Symposium and vice chairman of LIMEHOF. “By convening leading thinkers and industry voices at the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame, we’re creating a space where scholarship meets lived musical experience. Honoring Dennis Arfa during the weekend highlights another essential truth: behind every legendary artist is a visionary advocate who helps bring the music to the world.”
Dennis Arfa Induction
Arfa will be formally inducted into LIMEHOF at 7 p.m. on June 6. He has represented Billy Joel for more than 50 years and helped guide the artist’s touring career, including Joel’s record-breaking residency at Madison Square Garden.
In addition to Joel, Arfa has worked with major artists including Metallica, Rod Stewart, Rush, Disturbed, Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, Limp Bizkit, and comedian Andrew Dice Clay. The induction ceremony requires a separate ticket and is expected to include a live musical performance.
Keynote Speakers
The symposium will feature three keynote speakers:
- Jon Small — LIMEHOF inductee and founding drummer of The Hassles and Attila. Small later became an acclaimed director and producer, working on projects including the concert film Billy Joel: Live at Yankee Stadiumand the documentary The Last Play at Shea.
- Wayne Robins — LIMEHOF inductee and veteran music journalist whose work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Melody Maker, The Village Voice, Creem Magazine, and Newsday. His presentation is titled Billy Joel’s Music: His Life, My Job.
- Jason Hanley — Vice President of Education and Visitor Engagement at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His talk, The Piano Man’s America: Memory, Story, and History in the Songs of Billy Joel, will examine storytelling and historical memory in Joel’s catalog.
Symposium Presentations
A total of 22 scholarly papers were selected by the Billy Joel Symposium Committee. Presenters include scholars, journalists, musicians, and students from universities across the United States.
Topics range from music theory and recording techniques to cultural studies and history, including:
- The evolution of recording technology in Joel’s work
- Historical themes in “We Didn’t Start the Fire”
- Youth culture in “Captain Jack”
- Classical influences in Joel’s compositions
- Cultural identity and suburban life in New York
- Trauma and community in “Goodnight Saigon”
- Literary and cultural comparisons between Joel’s lyrics and the works of William Shakespeare
The conference will also feature audience Q&A sessions and panel discussions. While no awards will be given, selected papers may be included in a future edited volume or digital proceedings published by LIMEHOF.
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