BCC Memorial Benefit Concert Features Tommy Sullivan of 'Brooklyn Bridge' Fame

The following is a user-generated article. Thanks to Bob Foley, of the BCC 9-11 Memorial Project, for submitting. 

Music legend Tommy Sullivan of original “Brooklyn Bridge” fame will sing and play songs from his famous repertoire at a Valentine’s Benefit Concert on Sunday afternoon, February 12th, at The Cove on the Hudson River in Peekskill/Buchanan.  The noted singer/songwriter and multi-faceted musician is donating his time and talents to help raise funds for the Buchanan*Cortlandt*Croton-on-Hudson (BCC) 9/11 Remembrance Memorial to be built on the beautiful banks of the Hudson River at Croton Landing.   

It will honor those from the tri-municipal area who gave their lives on September 11, 2001 and those first and second responders and members of the military who answered the call to duty.

A dynamic live solo performer, Sullivan plays saxophone, guitar, keyboard and flute.  He will start his songfest at 3 p.m. and will entertain the audience with his unique brand of energy, enthusiasm and first-person reminisces of his illustrious career that has spanned 45 years.  A high point in his career was in October of 2006 when he was among the first inductees in the brand new Long Island Music Hall of Fame, an honor shared with Billy Joel, John Coltrane, Little Anthony & The Imperials, Vanilla Fudge, Harry Chapin, Kiss, Twisted Sister, and other world class musicians.

And Tommy Sullivan has ties to the Hudson Valley with his stint in the service at West Point.  In 1966, as a member of the U.S. Military Academy Band, he officially brought rock music to the Army, re-forming his popular civilian group The Nite-Riders to perform at cadet dances and outdoor concerts at West Point overlooking the Hudson. His first book, “Rockin’ The Long Grey Line,” details how rock & roll helped get the brave young Corps of Cadets in the late 60’s to cope with the intensity of preparing to lead troops during an unpopular war in Vietnam.

After returning to civilian life, in 1968 his new 7-piece group The Rhythm Method was chosen by Johnny Maestro to become The Brooklyn Bridge, with Tommy as musical director and arranger.  In December 1968, The Brooklyn Bridge performed “The Worst That Could Happen” on TV on the popular Ed Sullivan Show, which resulted in their first Gold Record within the week.  Tommy co-produced, arranged and orchestrated the final CD of the late Johnny Maestro, Peace on Earth (2001), which also contains several original Sullivan songs written for Maestro.

In 1972, Tommy Sullivan was signed by Atlantic Records to help form the group Ramatam, which included many legendary music figures and which has since become a worldwide cult favorite.  During his Ramatam years, Sullivan blossomed as an arena concert lead singer and musician, as well as a songwriter/arranger/orchestrator.  Several members of the New York Philharmonic were featured on numerous tracks of original songs on Ramatam’s second LP, with lead vocals, arrangements and orchestrations by Sullivan.

In the 1980’s he appeared both with The Bridge and as the featured sax soloist on “Yakety-Yak” with The Coasters on the first PBS Rock TV special, “Shake, Rattle & Roll,” hosted by Cousin Brucie.  In a second career as an advertising copywriter/producer for radio, TV and print, he won numerous awards for jingles.  Later in that decade he was honored to be chosen by Jay Black to arrange, orchestrate and produce the comeback album, “Jay’s Favorites.”

Released in 2011, Sullivan’s first solo CD, “Your Heart Belongs To Love,” features all new original songs.

The founding member and former musical director of The Brooklyn Bridge, will perform his live Valentine’s concert called “With All the Songs You Love” from 3 to 5 p.m.  Tax-deductible tickets are   $35 per person and include appetizers and light buffet. There will be a cash bar.  For advance tickets, send checks to: BCC 9/11 Memorial, P.O.Box 153, Buchanan, NY 10511.  For more details, call:  Project Director Janet Mainiero (914) 271-8222; or Bob Pidgeon (914) 497-2751.  Tickets will also be available at the door. The Cove (formerly Crystal Bay) is located at 5 John Walsh Boulevard, Peekskill.

The BCC 9/11 Remembrance Memorial Foundation is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit community organization dedicated to building this unique Memorial, entitled “Reaching Through The Shadow,” which has been

designed by noted architect James Rhodes, FAIA, of Croton-on-Hudson. Using a 14-foot scarred beam salvaged from the fallen North Tower of the World Trade Center, it is designed to cast a shadow - a sundial - oriented towards Ground Zero.  Seemingly out of balance, it will reliably point to commemorative markers on the ground of the site for every future September 11th.  Within the shadow of the beam is a lone heroic figure of a woman to be sculpted in bronze by Lauren Davis of Croton.

The woman reaches through the shadow to touch the beam and symbolizes strength to help us bear the terrible weight of that tragic day. When completed, the Remembrance Memorial will serve as an esthetic and educational site---a lasting place for solitude, reflection and renewal.