The Hassles, Vagrants, Illusion, Rich Kids: Remembering 4 bands that defined the 1960s' 'Long Island Sound'

The 1960s saw many regional genres of rock and roll — the San Francisco, Boston and Liverpool sounds — but back in the day we had our own Long Island Sound, and we’re not referring to the body of water. 

Here are four bands whose raw, organ-driven garage rock/R&B hybrid characterized the local scene:

THE HASSLES

Billy Joel’s first recording band formed in 1964 with a slightly unstable lineup that included vocalist John Dizek, guitarist Richard McKenna, bassist Howie Arthur Blauvelt and drummer Jon Small. A self-titled debut album, released in 1967, included covers of soul songs such as Sam & Dave's "You Got Me Hummin’ " and a Joel original, "I Can Tell."

That was typical of bands of the era, according to Michael "Eppy" Epstein, owner of the seminal Roslyn rock club My Father's Place. "All these bands were cover bands, but they did a few of their own originals," he said. "They all had the same sound."

The Hassles lasted for one more album, 1969’s "Hour of the Wolf," then split. But Joel clearly never forgot his old group: In 1983, he put a live solo recording of "You Got Me Hummin’ " on the B-side of his 12-inch single "Tell Her About It."

THE VAGRANTS

Leslie West’s first professional band formed in 1964 with a lineup that included his bassist brother, Larry, alongside singer Peter Sabatino, keyboardist Jeremy Storch and drummer Roger Mansour. Though based in Queens, The Vagrants performed frequently on Long Island, notably at the Action House in Island Park.

"He would keep his body turned away from the audience," recalled Epstein of guitarist Leslie West. "And he’d only turn around once or twice during the song and scream, then go back to playing his guitar."

Within four years The Vagrants had split, leaving behind a handful of raw 45 rpm singles such as "Oh Those Eyes," "I Can’t Make a Friend" and a cover of Otis Redding’s "Respect." West would go on to form Mountain, which played its third-ever show at 1969's Woodstock festival and released the classic rock staple "Mississippi Queen" in 1970.

THE ILLUSION

Formed in 1965, this West Hempstead psych-rock band comprised vocalist John Vinci, guitarist Rich Cerniglia, bassist Chuck Alder, multi-instrumentalist Mike Maniscalco and drummer Mike Ricciardella. "We were all, like, 16 and 17," according to Ricciardella. "I said, ‘If we eat, drink and sleep music, we could possibly get a record deal.’ "

The band played frequently in New York City and on Long Island, notably at the Action House, too. There, The Illusion became a twice-weekly attraction, eventually earning as much as $5,000 a night, Ricciardella said. The band raked in so much money, he noted, that they hired a professional seamstress to make their Vinci-designed clothes — "five outfits a week, one a day, for each one of us."

Eventually, Ricciardella’s prediction came true: The Illusion signed to Steed Records. The band’s 1969 eponymous debut album spawned bluesy single "Did You See Her Eyes," which reached No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Illusion would release two more albums before splitting up. Ricciardella went on to join Barnaby Bye, a beloved local band that still occasionally performs.

"I’m just so proud of myself," said Ricciardella, 79. "At my age, I’m just happy I’m gonna keep playing music."

DENNY BELLINE AND THE RICH KIDS

Long Island rockers remember this band fondly, though little official information about them is available. Their leader, a nephew of Perry Como, grew up in Glen Head and as a young adult lived in Sea Cliff, according to his son, Dennis Belline Jr. "He could sing, he had energy, he could play guitar, piano, everything," his son said. "So he could make a band and attract good musicians."

The Rich Kids were based on the North Shore — hence the name, perhaps — and became a hot ticket on Long Island. One notable member was guitarist Richie Supa, who went on to write songs for Aerosmith and Bon Jovi. An eponymous 1966 album on RCA Victor captured The Rich Kids live at the Shore Club in Sayville; its 10 tracks included covers of "Good Lovin’," "Mustang Sally" and "Mickey’s Monkey."

After the band split, Belline and Supa went on to form the short-lived rock band Man (not to be confused with the Welsh group of the same name). Belline also played Judas in a touring version of the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar." He died in 2004 at age 62, according to his son.

"The Rich Kids were before my time," said the younger Belline, 56, who practices real estate law in Port Washington. "But I certainly had a copy of the album. I played it till the grooves wore out."