LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Liberty DeVitto upon the occasion of
his selection as a 2014 Italian-American Day honoree

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those individuals of true purpose and worthy accomplishment who foster
ethnic pride and strive to preserve their cultural heritage, thereby
enhancing the profile of cultural diversity which strengthens the fabric
of community throughout this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Liberty DeVitto upon the occasion of his selection as a 2014 Italian-Am-
erican Day Honoree; and
WHEREAS, Affectionately known as the songwriter's drummer, throughout
his illustrious career, Liberty DeVitto has played with Paul McCartney,
Stevie Nicks, Mick Jagger, Roger Daltrey, Ronnie Spector, Karen Carpen-
ter, Phoebe Snow, Elton John, Meatloaf, and many more; and
WHEREAS, In 2013, Liberty DeVitto was inducted into The Classic
Drummer's Hall of Fame, and for more than 40 years he has been repeated-
ly featured in articles, documentaries and educational publications,
most recently in the documentary "A Matter of Trust: The Bridge to
Russia"; and
WHEREAS, Born to Sicilian immigrants, Vincent and Josephine (Sardisco)
DeVitto, Liberatori (Liberty) DeVitto was born in Brooklyn, New York, on
August 8, 1950, a second generation Italian-American; and
WHEREAS, Life for Liberty DeVitto began in a one room furnished apart-
ment, where his mother would empty a dresser drawer, line it with a baby
blanket, and use that for his bed; his Mother says it was the radio on
top of the dresser, which she kept on at all times, that gave Liberty
his love for music; and
WHEREAS, After Liberty DeVitto's father became a New York City Police
Officer in the 77th Precinct in Brooklyn, he decided to join the
migration to the suburbs, and moved his new family to Long Island in
1951; and
WHEREAS, On February 9, 1964 Liberty DeVitto's family, like every
other family in America, had the TV tuned to the Ed Sullivan show, and
there they were, in black and white, "The Beatles"; since that moment,
Liberty's life would change, forever; and
WHEREAS, In June of 1968, Liberty DeVitto graduated from Seaford High
School, and by November he was on the road with Detroit rocker Mitch
Ryder banging out Mitch's hits, "Jenny Takes a Ride," "Devil with a Blue
Dress" and "Sock It To Me Baby"; and
WHEREAS, Right after Mitch Ryder, Liberty DeVitto landed a gig with
Long Island alumni, Richie Supa, and had his first recording experience;
the album, "Supa's Jamboree" was recorded in Atlanta in 1969-70, and was
produced by Buddy Buie of the Classics 4 and Atlanta Rhythm Section
Fame; and
WHEREAS, The album was released on Paramount Records and a tour imme-
diately followed; during this time, Liberty was driving the band equip-
ment van from Cleveland, Ohio, back home to Long Island when he was
involved in an accident, sustaining serious injuries; and
WHEREAS, Subsequently, Liberty DeVitto took a year off from playing
the drums; to ease back in, he took a steady gig at a catering hall on
Long Island; during those years, the group, "Topper" was formed, and
eventually, the group became Billy Joel's band, going on to create such
legendary songs as, "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" and "New York
State of Mind"; and

WHEREAS, After 30 years with Billy Joel, and countless other projects,
Liberty DeVitto is still going strong; he is proud to have been a part
of the 9-11 recovery efforts, visiting Ground Zero and supporting the
first responders with Billy Joel a few days after the tragedy and
performing to raise funds to rebuild his city; and
WHEREAS, In addition, he has played for supporters at "The Tunnel to
Towers Run" commemorating Stephen Sills' heroic effort to save fellow
New Yorkers on September 11, 2001; and
WHEREAS, Today, Liberty DeVitto can be seen live with his Brooklyn,
New York based rock and blues band, "The Slim Kings," who are working on
their sophomore album, following their successful first album and
single, "Waterloo," which was released on charity CD "Songs For Sandy
II" along with releases from Paul McCartney and Dave Stewart; and
WHEREAS, Liberty DeVitto is an Honorary Board Member of Little Kids
Rock, a non-profit organization which puts instruments and music
programs in underserved public schools worldwide; each year, he is also
the house drummer for the yearly LKR Gala, driving the beat for such
performers as Bruce Springsteen, Tom Morello, Elvis Costello, and many
others; and
WHEREAS, This exemplary man remains a band member for The Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, lectures globally for Sticks and Skins,
and is a founding member of The NYC Hitsquad; he is also a member of
"The Recovery Squad," a band and program dedicated to rock 'n' roll and
sober living; and
WHEREAS, Liberty DeVitto resides in Brooklyn with his loving wife,
Anna; he continues to lecture, interview and play music all over the
world; and
WHEREAS, Liberty DeVitto has truly distinguished himself in his career
and community involvement, and the Italian-American community and all of
New York State have profited greatly from his talent, dedication, and
service; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Liberty DeVitto upon the occasion of being selected as a 2014
Italian-American Day Honoree; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Liberty DeVitto.