LONG ISLAND (CelebrityAccess)—The Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) 20th-anniversary concert, which featured Billy Joel’s music and the induction of Joel’s longtime friend and music agent Dennis Arfa, has been canceled. The organization noted that Joel could not attend due to family commitments.
In a statement provided to ABC Audio, the organization said the event has been “canceled due to family commitments preventing Joel from attending. LIMEHOF sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience this cancellation may cause and thanks you for your understanding,” the statement continues. “Tickets will be refunded at the place of purchase.”
The event was to have featured performances by Christie Brinkley and Joel’s daughter Alexa Ray Joel, Debbie Gibson, Darryl McDaniels of Run-DMC, The Rascals’ Felix Cavaliere, Jimmy Webb and others.
However, the upcoming LIMEHOF exhibit for “The Longest Time.” Billy Joel – My Life, A Piano Man’s Journey is still set to open on Thanksgiving weekend for a limited time only.
After nearly a year in the planning, The LIMEHOF exhibit will feature 50 years of the Long Island native’s “most cherished items,” per LIBN.com, and will open on November 24. The exhibit will allow visitors to experience Joel’s career from his Hicksville and Levittown roots, and the display comprises many items he donated. They include historical photos, behind-the-scenes videos, rare audio, vintage instruments, video recordings and other memorabilia. The exhibit marks the first time these items will be shown in public.
“We are thrilled and honored to present the Billy Joel exhibit everyone has been waiting for, Billy Joel – My Life, the incredible story of A Piano Man’s Journey from Long Island to worldwide acclaim,” Ernie Canadeo, LIMEHOF chairman, said in a news release about the exhibit.
“Billy has been very cordial and involved in the planning, and it is appropriate that the exhibit is on Long Island, where he has long been identified, written so many songs, and lived most of his life. It is a fitting tribute to Long Island’s most successful entertainer and is guaranteed to thrill his legions of fans,” he added.
