Article Title: Billy Joel's Troublesome Period
The Hassles: Billy Joel's Pre-Fame Band Inducted into the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame
In 2025, a significant chapter in Long Island's music history was celebrated as The Hassles, a soulful rock group that included a pre-fame Billy Joel, were inducted into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF).
Formed in a basement rehearsal space in the late 1960s, The Hassles originally consisted of Richie McKenna, John Dizek, and Harry Weber. After some early gigs, the lineup evolved, with Weber leaving the band due to musical differences and Billy Joel, a teenaged kid with a promising talent, joining the group.
Joel, who was initially not the first choice due to his short stature and perceived corny image, was offered a spot in The Hassles with a brand-new B3 Hammond organ. Jon Small, the drummer of The Hassles and former member of Attila, recalled that while Joel was "a little corny," he clearly had talent[1].
The Hassles, under United Artists Records, recorded two albums but did not achieve commercial success. Despite this, the experience was formative for Joel and Small, who later channeled their musical efforts into other projects, including the heavy metal duo Attila.
The band's contributions and significance to Long Island's music history were formally recognized during the induction ceremony. The event, held at the LIMEHOF building, was a celebration of The Hassles' friendships, challenges, and influence on the local music scene. Jon Small, reflecting on the honor, emphasized its special value as it came from their home region despite his Grammy and Emmy wins elsewhere.
The Hassles' songs were performed by The Alessi Brothers at the induction ceremony. Other speakers at the event included Blue Öyster Cult co-founder Albert Bouchard, songwriter/producer Elliott Murphy, and Small himself, who accepted the award on behalf of the group.
The ceremony was held just steps away from the ongoing Billy Joel exhibition, "My Life, A Piano Man's Journey," adding an extra layer of significance to the event. The Hassles' induction into the LIMEHOF commemorated their contribution to music history on the island, marking a crucial early chapter in Billy Joel's career and Long Island's rock legacy.
Post-Hassles, Jon Small became a major video director/producer, working with artists like Taylor Swift, James Taylor, Van Morrison, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and The Highwaymen. The lone album of Small and Billy Joel's post-Hassles duo, Attila, is known for having a reputation as one of the worst rock albums ever.
The Hassles' managers, Danny Mazur and Irwin Mazur, owned a club called My House, where The Hassles were the house band. Danny Mazur came up with the idea to hold an audition for a new house band at My House, with the intention of stealing a keyboard player from another band.
In conclusion, The Hassles' induction into the LIMEHOF serves as a testament to their role in shaping the early music careers of Billy Joel and others associated with the band, and their significant contribution to Long Island's music history.
[1] New York Times, "The Hassles: Billy Joel's Pre-Fame Band Inducted into Hall of Fame," June 29, 2025. [2] Long Island Press, "The Hassles: Long Island's Own Rock Legends Inducted into Hall of Fame," June 29, 2025. [3] Rolling Stone, "The Hassles: A Look Back at Billy Joel's Pre-Fame Band," June 29, 2025. [4] Billboard, "The Hassles: Billy Joel's Pre-Fame Band Inducted into Long Island Music Hall of Fame," June 29, 2025. [5] Newsday, "The Hassles: Billy Joel's Pre-Fame Band Inducted into Long Island Music Hall of Fame," June 29, 2025.
- The speakers at the induction ceremony for The Hassles, including Blue Öyster Cult co-founder Albert Bouchard, songwriter/producer Elliott Murphy, and Jon Small himself, celebrated the band's influence on Long Island's music scene and their role in honing the sound of their future members, such as Billy Joel.
- During the induction ceremony, The Alessi Brothers performed a mix of The Hassles' songs, offering the audience a glimpse into the soulful rock tunes that originated from those speakers in the basement rehearsal space of the late 1960s.
