Memory Lane
Billy Joel's music to play at Nunley's Carousel
NEWSDAY 6:03 PM EDT, July 16, 2007
When singer and songwriter Billy Joel was a child, riding the horses of Nunley's Carousel was a favorite childhood ritual. It so captivated him that as an adult Joel composed "Waltz No. 1, Op. 2," subtitled "Nunley's Carousel." Now, the historic carousel, built in 1912, is getting a face lift. Restoration on the ride will begin next month. And when the carousel settles into its future home along Museum Row at Mitchel Field, Joel's song will be the one riders hear.
It's all thanks to Rachel Obergh, 9, of Wantagh, who founded Pennies for Ponies, a nonprofit group started two years to help pay for the restoration. Obergh knew about Joel's composition and sent him a note, asking if it could be played when the carousel opens again in fall 2008.
Ever the Long Island fan, Joel agreed and arranged for his keyboard player David Rosenthal to record the composition with organ-like instrumentation.
The animals, organ, motor and other parts of the carousel have been in storage for nine years, but next month the largest manufacturer of wooden merry-go-rounds will begin restoring the ride, which first operated in Brooklyn before moving to Nunley's amusement park in Baldwin where it charmed kids and adults for 55 years. The county purchased the ride for $854,400 in 1998.
The restoration is being paid for with $420,000 from discretionary capital funds controlled by Nassau Legis. Joseph Scannell (D-Baldwin), along with money raised by Pennies for Ponies. Thusfar, 28 of 42 carousel animals have been adopted for $2,000.
This story was reported by Bill Bleyer and written by Emily C. Dooley.
Copyright © 2007, Newsday Inc.
