New Jersey Hall of Fame and Middletown
Township Unveil Van Zandt Way to Honor Billy and Stevie Van Zandt
MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP, N.J., April 26,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Musician Stevie Van Zandt,
and his brother, playwright Billy Van
Zandt, are being honored today with a street dedication in
their hometown of Middletown
Township. The New Jersey Hall of Fame (NJHOF) is partnering
with Middletown Township to
ceremonially dedicate Wilson Avenue, the street where Billy and Stevie Van Zandt grew up, as
Van Zandt Way, serving as a
perpetual reminder of their profound influence and lasting
impact.
Community leaders, officials, and esteemed guests are gathering
to pay tribute to the Van Zandt brothers, including Middletown Mayor Tony
Perry, former NBC News Anchor and Middletown native Brian Williams, Chairman of the Board of the
NJHOF Jon F. Hanson, and President of the NJHOF Steve Edwards.
"The dedication of Van Zandt Way
points to the enduring legacy of Stevie and
Billy Van Zandt, symbolizing their perseverance, creativity,
and passion. Their accomplishments will continue to resonate for
generations to come, inspiring future New Jerseyans to realize
their dreams," said Steve Edwards.
"We're grateful to Middletown
Township for commemorating these two Jersey legends."
"Middletown is proud of how our
community members have contributed to the betterment of our society
as a whole," said Mayor Tony Perry.
"We are always looking to honor residents who have made an impact,
whether it be our fallen veterans who served from the Revolutionary
War to the War on Terror, dedicated public servants, or those who
have had a significant influence on arts and culture."
"We have both been awarded for our work, but being honored by
our hometown is obviously very special," said Stevie and Billy Van Zandt. "We want to thank
Mayor Perry and everybody in the Middletown administration, as well as the New
Jersey Hall of Fame, for this recognition. And we will try our best
to keep our street proud and not embarrass our neighbors who will
now have to use our name on their mail!"
Stevie Van Zandt is an acclaimed
American musician, songwriter, and actor, best known as the
founding member and guitar player of Bruce
Springsteen and the E Street Band. Van Zandt has his own
solo band called Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, which has
been intermittently active since the 1980s. Beyond his musical
endeavors, he gained widespread acclaim for his portrayal of
Silvio Dante in the
Emmy-award-winning HBO series "The Sopranos," earning him multiple
Screen Actors Guild Awards and an Emmy nomination. He is an
Inductee of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the New Jersey
Hall of Fame.
Billy Van Zandt is a celebrated
playwright, actor, director, and producer. He is the writer of the
best-selling TV memoir Get in the Car, Jane (Adventures in the
TV Wasteland) and was nominated for an Emmy Award for his
television special I Love Lucy:
The Very First Show. Alongside his longtime collaborator
Jane Milmore, Van Zandt has written
and produced a string of successful plays and sitcoms, including
"You've Got Hate Mail," "Love, Sex, and the I.R.S.," and "Silent
Laughter." As an actor, Van Zandt has graced the stage and the
screen, with notable performances in "The Godfather Part III" and
"Jaws 2".
The NJHOF invites the public to learn more about Garden State
greats at the New Jersey Hall of Fame at American Dream Mall
opening this June. At this Entertainment and Learning Center,
people will have the opportunity to learn about heroes from
New Jersey and beyond and be
inspired to reach their highest potential.
ABOUT THE NEW JERSEY HALL OF
FAME
Because everyone needs a hero, the New Jersey Hall of
Fame (NJHOF) honors citizens who have made invaluable contributions
to society, the State of New
Jersey and the world beyond. Since 2008, the NJHOF has
hosted 15 ceremonies for more than 200 notable individuals and
groups in recognition of their induction into the Hall of Fame. The
NJHOF endeavors to present school children with significant and
impactful role models to show that they can, and should, strive for
excellence. The NJHOF is thankful for the support of its many
sponsors, like Hackensack Meridian Health, without which
none of our endeavors would be possible.
PRESS CONTACTS:
Middletown
Township: Tara Berson,
tberson@middletownnj.org, 732-615-3226
New Jersey Hall of Fame: Eliza
Rosenthale, eliza@princetonsc.com, 609-558-3330
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SOURCE New Jersey Hall of Fame