"Bits 'n Pieces" of West Hempstead's Musical History

Thomas Tittmann
Apr 8, 2025
6 min read

Updated: Dec 17, 2025

READERS: This is a draft idea for a musical oral history of our town: West Hempstead, NY. Three of the organizers met yesterday (4/8/25) to kick it off...More to come...

READERS: In the meantime, please contact me if you have any "tales of tunes around town" AND are interested in sharing them. For example, our Island Garden Arena hosted several popular acts and it would be great if you caught any and shared your experiences here. ttittmann@icloud.com

READERS: If you're game, you could also add your comments on the applicable Island Garden Arena shows listed on sites like setlist.fm

SETLIST (post topics)

ORAL HISTORY PROJECT IDEAS
CREATIVE CORNER
ISLAND GARDEN ARENA (1957-1973)
THE ILLUSION - from West Hempstead & Franklin Square
1969: SUMMER OF LOVE
OTHER IDEAS FOR ADDS...

ORAL HISTORY PROJECT IDEAS

Include Creative Corner, WH Library, WH High School...
Assign roles for technical support: shooting/editing oral history video footage
Interview Harry Baldino, Creative Corner's founder
Interview Danny Finkelstein about earlier live music at the Witches Brew Coffee House
Go to West Hempstead Library and see what they have
Gather residents stories about their experiences in the 1969 Summer of Love that included partying at Woodstock and "walking on the moon" with Neil Armstrong
Hold an Opening Night…or afternoon at the library where we present our findings as a way to ask the community to share their own stories via a new Oral History of West Hempstead Music project.

When I mentioned this project to my wife Eileen she said she saw the Dave Clark Five at Island Garden. She went with a high school friend who, as she says, “was obsessed with all things British.”

CREATIVE CORNER

WEBSITE:

FACEBOOK: Check here first for the latest info about events, open mike nights and band performances - like this gig:

In the following March 2022 article that includes a series of short videos, owner Harry Baldino talks about why he opened this multifaceted arts center that includes musical offerings.

Community Spotlight: Creative Corner a staple in West Hempstead - West Hempstead Echo

The next article includes testimonies from people on how Creative Corner has helped foster their artistic interests.

[from the article linked below] As the lights go down at Creative Corner, an art center in West Hempstead, the amps are put up. Every Monday, the center holds their Open Mic Night where residents of the community are welcome to enjoy an evening of music, creative expression and fun. Acts that showcase people of all ages and range from budding talent to professional come and share a quick set, whether it be a cover or something new and unique.

Owner Harry Baldino opened Creative Corner in 2014. What began as a spur of the moment endeavor, Baldino said, has since grown into an encouraging and supportive creative outlet, especially for younger members of the community.

His daughter and Creative Corner’s manager, Nichole Baldino, added that although the Open Mic Night is their staple, they primarily give lessons in music and art. “It’s unique, because it’s an open place without private cubicles, unlike typical music schools.” she said. “It makes it so we’re all learning together.”

An outlet for young talent in West Hempstead - LI Herald

Creative Corner 482 Hempstead Ave. West Hempstead, NY 11552

I went to my first Creative Corner jam after being invited by Ryan Closs – a local musician - who went to West Hempstead High School with our son John. All musicians – instrumental and vocal - are invited and whoever shows up determines the evening’s musical menu.

Lotsa fun!

ISLAND GARDEN ARENA (1957-1973)

The Island Garden Arena was a 5,200-seat arena in West Hempstead, New York. It was built in 1957 by Arnold "Whitey" Carlson, a descendant of Swedish immigrants. Carlson's grandfather was Henrik Carlson, a noted San Diego sculptor who was the Foreign Art Director for the San Diego Exposition (now Balboa Park).

Over the years, many concert acts such as Cream, the Dave Clark Five, Tiny Tim, Louis Armstrong, The Byrds, Sly and the Family Stone, The Dave Brubeck Quartet and Bob Dylan performed at the venue. In addition to concerts, the Island Garden Arena has also hosted boxing matches, professional wrestling, circuses, rodeos, stamp shows, midget car racing, and boat shows.

SOURCE

Additional performers at Island Garden Arena listed at setlist.fm include:

Ten Wheel Drive, Family, Al Kooper, Savoy Brown, Jeff Beck Group, Mountain, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Procol Harum, Peter, Paul and Mary, The Chambers Brothers, The Statler Brothers, June Carter Cash, Johnny Cash, Joan Baez and Duke Ellington and His Orchestra.

Bob Dylan's Feb. 26, 1966 setlist

March 7, 1969 Source — **March 7, 1969** **Source**

Feb. 26, 1965 (Setlist - includes a download link for all 27 songs) — **Feb. 26, 1965 (Setlist - includes a download link for all 27 songs**)

Here's one that wasn't listed in the earlier articles:

June 12, 1970 (Source) — **June 12, 1970 (Source**)

Island Garden Wikipedia

Island Garden Arena West Hempstead Concert Setlists (1958-1969)

There aren't any photos or videos of the DC Five at Island Garden, so here's a clip from The Ed Sullivan Show

The Dave Clark - Five Bits And Pieces 1964 (Ed Sullivan Show HQ) (02:05)

THE ILLUSION - from West Hempstead & Franklin Square

On 10/6/25 I met Al by Riesterer’s Bakery and he talked about them.and how they came from West Hempstead and Franklin Square.

THE ILLUSION Inducted into the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame - LI Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (2023)

[From the article] The Illusion; the band largely credited with kicking the door open (paving the way for so many Long Island entertainers), was recently inducted to the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) and performed on stage for the first time in fifty-one years. The original Illusion band members from West Hempstead and Franklin Square (Western Nassau) include John Vinci, Mike Maniscalco, Rich Cerniglia, Chuck Alder and Mike Ricciardella, who are now inducted into the history and family of Long Island’s musicians & entertainers.

During a time when it was considered inconceivable for record executives (and concert promoters alike) to give a band from Long Island the time of day, The Illusion came on to the scene. A force to be reckoned with, wowing crowds with outrageous stage shows, custom-made clothes, seemingly untouchable musicianship, and five-part harmonies. Captivating audiences, The Illusion would draw thousands of fans to every show.

The Illusion is largely credited with being ground-breaking in the rock music genre influencing other bands and most notably legendary musician Jimi Hendrix at the time with their performance style and psychedelic outfits. They first met Hendrix by chance at a recording studio very early in his career and they went on to become friends and frequently played together at the Steve Pauls’ Scene Club and opened for Hendrix in Boston Gardens. Alder said they didn’t really think about making history at that time, it was just something they did.

“Nobody was dressing like that, nobody was moving around on stage doing a show, getting the audience participation, that was all new, Alder recalls. “I think before us it was called “rock and roll” and after us, it was called “rock” we dropped the “roll” there was no rolling tonight, it was just rock and that’s the way I like it.”

"See the moon at midnight..."

The Illusion - Did You See Her Eyes (Live audio Leone's 1969) (03:04)

1969: SUMMER OF LOVE

Let's collect peoples' stories about that amazing summer when 500,000 people partied at Woodstock and an Earthling did the first "Moon Walk"...years before MJ did his version in Billie Jean.