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On this episode of the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame Podcast, host Tom Needham welcomes noted hip-hop historian JayQuan to discuss his new book Run-DMC and Raising Hell: 40 Years. The conversation celebrates the lasting impact of Run-DMC—trailblazers of hip-hop and inductees of the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame—while revisiting one of the most influential albums ever released.

JayQuan’s book takes a comprehensive look at Raising Hell, the groundbreaking 1986 album produced by Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons. The record became the first hip-hop album to achieve multi-platinum status, ultimately selling more than three million copies in the United States. It helped redefine the genre’s reach, especially through the landmark single “Walk This Way,” a collaboration with Aerosmith that bridged rap and rock and brought hip-hop firmly into the mainstream. Drawing from interviews with Joseph “Run” Simmons, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, and key collaborators, the book offers track-by-track analysis, historical insight, and a detailed account of the album’s creation, promotion, and enduring cultural influence.

JayQuan is a respected voice in hip-hop scholarship, known for his deep research and firsthand interviews with pioneering artists and industry figures. His work documents the evolution of the culture while preserving the stories behind its most important recordings and movements.

The Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame Podcast, hosted by Tom Needham, features conversations with a wide range of artists and creators connected to Long Island’s vibrant music and entertainment scene. Past guests include Stephen Schwartz, Gary U.S. Bonds, Taylor Dayne, Carmine Appice, EPMD, Elliott Murphy, and Jimmy Webb, reflecting the depth and diversity of Long Island’s cultural legacy.

Buy tickets to visit LIMEHOF at:

https://www.limusichalloffame.org/tickets-and-gift-cards/

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is located at:

97 Main Street
Stony Brook, NY 11790
Email: info@limusichalloffame.org
Phone: 631-689-5888

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Recorded live at a packed screening of Best Man at the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame, this LIMEHOF Podcast episode captures the energy of the Local Filmmakers Series in full swing. The conversation was recorded immediately following the screening, in front of a large audience that stayed for an engaging post-film Q&A. Moderator Tom Needham led a wide-ranging discussion that explored the making of the film and the creative journey behind it.

Guests Ryan and Anthony Famulari are Stony Brook–born brothers and emerging filmmakers whose debut feature Best Man has been making its way through the festival circuit. The film follows a character-driven story that reflects their collaborative approach to independent filmmaking and their shared Long Island roots. Their conversation highlights both their creative partnership and the personal history that shaped their work.

The LIMEHOF Podcast features in-depth interviews with musicians, filmmakers, and cultural figures connected to Long Island’s rich creative community. Past guests have included Stephen Schwartz, Taylor Dayne, Gary U.S. Bonds, DMC, and many more, continuing its mission to spotlight influential voices in music and entertainment.

Buy tickets to visit LIMEHOF at:

https://www.limusichalloffame.org/tickets-and-gift-cards/

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is located at:

97 Main Street
Stony Brook, NY 11790
Email: info@limusichalloffame.org
Phone: 631-689-5888

Send us Fan Mail

In the next episode of the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame Podcast, listeners are treated to a rare, previously recorded interview with filmmaker Dori Berinstein, director of the PBS documentary Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did for Love. The film offers an affectionate and comprehensive look at the life and career of Marvin Hamlisch—an official inductee of the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame. This classic interview captures Berinstein reflecting on her creative process, the challenges of documenting such an iconic figure, and the remarkable legacy Hamlisch left behind. As a retrospective conversation, it also serves as a poignant reminder of Hamlisch’s enduring influence following his passing in 2012.

Marvin Hamlisch was one of the most accomplished and versatile composers of the 20th century, achieving the rare distinction of winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award (EGOT). A child prodigy who entered the Juilliard School at just six years old, Hamlisch went on to compose some of the most recognizable music in film, television, and theater. He won three Academy Awards in one night for The Way We Were (including Best Original Song for the title track) and The Sting (Best Original Score). On Broadway, he achieved monumental success with A Chorus Line, one of the longest-running shows in Broadway history and a defining work of American musical theater. Hamlisch also collaborated with legendary artists including Barbra Streisand and Liza Minnelli, and served as principal pops conductor for major orchestras such as the National Symphony Orchestra and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. His career bridged classical, pop, and theatrical traditions, leaving a catalog of work that remains deeply influential.

The Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame Podcast highlights the voices and stories of artists, industry leaders, and cultural figures connected to Long Island’s rich creative history. Hosted by Tom Needham, the series has featured a wide range of notable guests, including acclaimed musicians, filmmakers, and entertainment professionals whose work has shaped popular culture. Through a mix of new interviews and archival conversations, the podcast provides listeners with unique insights into the creative process and celebrates the legacy of Long Island’s most influential artists.

Buy tickets to visit LIMEHOF at:

https://www.limusichalloffame.org/tickets-and-gift-cards/

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is located at:

97 Main Street
Stony Brook, NY 11790
Email: info@limusichalloffame.org
Phone: 631-689-5888