PAWTUCKET, RI – The Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame (RIMHOF) announced its 2018 inductees, including three honorees in the Technical/Lighting category: Bob Morrissey Andrew Polin and LeRoy Bennett (pictured here, L-R). Before helming Warwick, RI-based East Coast Lighting and Production Services (ECLPS), Morrissey co-founded Polico Lighting with Polin. Bennett, also from Warwick, joined as a tech before launching his career in lighting and production design as a lighting director on Prince’s Dirty Mind tour in late 1980.
More details from PLSN contributor Michael S. Eddy:
Started Out Together, Now Inducted Together Into The Rhode Island Music Hall Of Fame
On Sunday, April 29, the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame inducted its Class of 2018. As a part of the class, were three inductees in the Technical/Lighting category—Production Designer LeRoy Bennett and lighting rental company owners, Bob Morrissey and Andrew Polin, honored for the impact they have had on music. The inductee ceremony took place at the Hall of Fame itself, located within the Hope Artiste Village complex in Pawtucket, RI. Along with an induction ceremony where the three accepted this honor they also participated in the unveiling of a large plaque dedicated to them within one of the Halls’ signature arches.
Inductee Morrissey commented during his acceptance speech, “Throughout the years, in an almost Forest Gump like way, I seemed to always find myself in the right place at the right time and when opportunities arose I was fearless about jumping in with both feet. It wasn’t always easy, and in the early days there were times that things got done with smoke and mirrors, but things always got done! So here I am now starting my 46th year in business and still loving what I do. It was always about the music and it still is! All of this could not have been accomplished without the many talented people that have passed thought the doors of Polico and ECLPS.”
Bennett stated, “I will be forever grateful to the once in a lifetime icons that I have had the pleasure to work with over the years. My connection to music is deeply visual, I have always been able to turn notes into creative visions that play in my head. The opportunity I have had to bring these performances to life for the audience to experience the music of their favorite artists is an unexplainable feeling.”
The Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame plaque:
Before the 1970s, performers simply relied on whatever lighting was available at the venue they were playing. In the late 1960s and early ‘70s, the psychedelic light show became part of the performance, but in many cases, overshadowed the band—making the music the “soundtrack” to the light show. In 1972, two young music fans, 16-year-old Andrew Polin, born in Fall River but now residing in Warwick, and 20-year-old Bob Morrissey, of Warwick, recognized the need for concert lighting which would enhance the performance and showcase the band. To do so they formed Polico Lighting and began providing stage lights for regional bands including local favorites Johanna Wild with Jon Butcher. Growth was rapid and by 1976, they were the lighting designers for multi-platinum band Boston. Among the additional techs they hired during this time was LeRoy Bennet of Warwick. The company’s reputation for innovation and exciting productions led to major tours in the early ’80s with J. Geils, the Allman Brothers, Jerry Garcia, and others. The mid-1980s saw a drop-off in touring concert business, but Polico continued to thrive by concentrating on regional events such as the Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals. In 1995, the partners split with Andrew moving into event production with Presentation Technology A/V and Bob continuing on with a new name, East Coast Lighting & Production Services. Bob remains committed to new technologies and ECLPS’s creative, innovative, and award-winning designs have kept them at the top of their profession. “As a production person I’ve spent most of my time dressed in black trying to avoid being seen on stage. I am much more comfortable running a spotlight than being in the spotlight.” – Bob Morrissey joked on being inducted to the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame
In 1980, LeRoy Bennett became lighting director for then up-and-coming artist Prince on his “Dirty Mind” tour. The success of that tour led to a 14-year collaborative relationship and established LeRoy at the vanguard of his field. As his reputation grew, so did his client base – his resume boasts superstars from every genre including Nine Inch Nails, The Who, Queen, Van Halen, David Bowie, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Beyoncé, Jay-Z and Paul McCartney. In 2012, he founded Seven Design Works to deliver his award-winning productions to television during Super Bowl half-time shows, Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductions, and other special events. LeRoy is recognized worldwide as one of the most iconic innovators in cutting edge production, lighting, and stage design and, in 2016, an industry trade publication declared him “A Musical Visionary” as he continues to infuse his creative visions on an international platform.
More details from RIMHOF (www.rhodeislandmusichalloffame.com):
The Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame’s 2018 inductees are: David Blue, John Chan, Tom Ghent, Lloyd Kaplan, James Montgomery, Paul Murphy, Mike Renzi, as well as LeRoy Bennett, Bob Morrissey and Andrew Polin in the Technical/Lighting category.
It was also announced that this year’s induction ceremonies and concert events would take place on three days – April 26, April 27, and April 29 – and will take place at three locations as RIMHOF celebrates its seventh year of operation.
“During the last six years, the Music Hall of Fame initiative,” says Rick Bellaire, vice chair of RIMHOF, “has provided our state with a great opportunity to not only acknowledge Rhode Island’s musical greats and celebrate their achievements, but has now established an organization whose primary goal is to promote and preserve Rhode Island’s rich musical heritage in all its forms.”
In a ceremony that took place April 29, RIMHOF unveiled the eight new inductee exhibits followed by the 2018 RIMHOF Blues, Educator, and Sideman Induction Concert honoring James Montgomery, Lloyd Kaplan and Paul Murphy as well as LeRoy Bennett, Bob Morrissey and Andrew Polin in the Technical/Lighting category.
The Unveiling Ceremony for all 2018 RIMHOF Inductee exhibits took place at 2 p.m. in the Hall of Fame itself, located within the Hope Artiste Village complex, 999 Main St., Pawtucket, RI. The Induction concert took place at The Met at 3 p.m. The James Montgomery Band performed followed by a Paul Murphy Tribute jam session featuring many past RIMHOF inductees as well as collaborators of Paul over the years.
Robert Billington, Chair of RIMHOF noted, “The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and concerts have become the place to be and be seen at as we continue to showcase the fascinating history of Rhode Island’s musical heroes. The events are a virtual ‘who’s who’ of Rhode Island music history.”
The Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame, formed in 2011, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating, honoring, and preserving the legacy of Rhode Island musicians, educators and industry professionals who have made significant contributions to both the national and Rhode Island music scene.
At last year’s induction concert event, the public saw 10 displays unveiled honoring the inductees in the museum space located in the hallways of Hope Artiste Village. This year’s induction ceremony on April 29 will see eight more displays unveiled celebrating the 2018 inductees and bringing the total to 63 inductee exhibits produced in just seven years. Eventually, the museum will hold more than 100 displays as well as assorted Rhode Island music history memorabilia and interactive components for visitors to enjoy.
