Reliving WLIR Past Glory With Panel Discussion Of On-Air Favorites

STONY BROOK, NY — A generation of Long Islanders grew up with WLIR. The modern rock station, which began out of the Garden City Hotel, was as popular for its personalities as the music.

The newly opened Long Island Music and Entertainment (LIME) Hall of Fame will spend Saturday, April 22 going down memory lane.

The 3 p.m. panel discussion is planned with former program director and disc jockey Denis McNamara, and other jocks Donna Donna, Larry "The Duck" Dunn and Max "The Mighty Maxximixer" Leinwand.

WLIR was an influential radio station that launched the careers of many musical acts and disc jockeys from the 1970s through the 1990s.

The station also broadcast from Hempstead, Westbury and finally at 1103 Stewart Ave. in East Garden City.

"They were the first U.S. radio station to play bands such as The Cure, U2, The Smiths, and New Order," Jeffrey James, LIMEHoF Board of Directors member, said. "The station also nurtured the Long Island club scene, broadcasting concerts from artists, such as Bruce Springsteen and Jackson Browne—many of them live from Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame inductee My Father’s Place."

Seating is limited. The event is free with museum admission.

The LIMEHoF is located at 97 Main St. in Stony Brook.