Is It all about me...? Life as I know it... (Life's journey is not about arriving at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather skidding in sideways, totally worn out, shouting, "Holy Shit! What A Ride!!!")... Billy Amato
On this site I plan on telling you a "little" about myself, very little.... I would need a few life-times to tell you everything and I am sure you have more things to do on the internet other than spending a few lifetimes reading about me and the kind of guy I am. So I will make it short, sweet and interesting enough to keep you here for just a few minutes.
You will be reading about my Professional Experience, Education, Interests, FaVoRiTe'S, Best Web Links, Music, The Rose Center For Earth and Space and My BeSt FrIeNd!..... and things i like to do. Now sit back and hopefully I will inspire you to start your own web page after all, there’s so much room out here in cyber space.
Born and raised in Pelham Manor, New York - a love child and hippie of the 60's and now a community leader here on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and working along with the "West Side Community Board #7/Manhattan". I am Chair person of the West 80th Street Block Association and Co-Chair person of "The West 80th Street Tree Fund" - keeping your trees and plant beds looking the best for the Upper West Side community that we all love so much and where else? In the greatest and now the greenest city in the world! "I love New York", it's like a world of its own, "New York-New York" - If you make it here, you can make it anywhere...
Billy Amato
Click The New York Times/Living In The West 80s - My Street West 80th Street
Here I am at the 2009 US Open
MY PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE.............
I am the Sr.VP Global Sales and Ground Transportation Logistics of a large high end luxury motoring service company right here in the big apple, called Bermuda Limousine International a privately owned company established in 1941 by the Verdi Family, now celebrating over 70 years! and Serving over 550 U.S. Cities and 60 destinations worldwide.
As the oldest ground transport companies in Manhattan and now the "Best Of The Best" in service by New York Magazine's annual..."Best Of New York Award".
Bermuda Limousine International has consistently proven itself to be dependable resource for the Fashion Industry and large corporations, as well as Financial Firms, Television Networks, Award Shows, Publishing Companies, Music Rock Stars and Celebrities. Now with the company 24 years.
I'm very proud to be part of the professionalism Bermuda Limousine International offers. As part of my professional experience.
I belong to an networking organization called "Meeting Professionals International" (MPI); it is a truly great organization that has over 25,000 Planners/Suppliers members-worldwide.
In recognition of my leadership and contributions to "Meeting Professional International" and the meeting and conventions industry, I was awarded the most respected and highly honored award in the corporate world, the 1998 and 2003 "Supplier of the Year". This is the second time I have received this notable honor prize award.
I also served on the Board of Director for MPI-New York Chapter (2004-2006). The Committee of The Year (Golf) 2010 and on the Golf Committee since 1992-(on-going).
MY EDUCATION.............. "Iona" grammar school in New Rochelle, NY than to "Pelham High School" in my home town in Westchester County about an hour north of Manhattan called Pelham Manor. New York City "NYU" and the "Herbert Berghof (HB) Studio" both in the West Village.
PAST OCCUPATION................
1963 (Summer) Oliver! Producer David Merrick at the Broadway Imperial Theatre Best friends - David Jones and Georgia Brown... 1963 - 1964 Otto Preminger - Career advice for undergraduate student internship -The Cardinal and In Harm's Way... 1964 - 1969 The Rascals a/k/a The Young Rascals (Group) 1967- 1968 Launch - The original Jeff Beck Group (w/Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood and Ansley Dunbar. 1969 - Woodstock - (Not really a occupation but a education) 1970 - 1971 Launch - the originalBlood Sweat & Tears w/Al Cooper, Steve Katz, Bobby Colomby, Jim Fielder, Fred Lipsius, Randy Brecker, Jerry Weiss, Dick Halligan, and Howard Levy- (Group) ... I worked vary hard on them when at the Cafe Au Go Go in the West Village with thanks to Steve and Al and Bobby. Got them on the Ed Sullivan Show and moved on - ... very difficult working with David Clayton-Thomas. 1970 - 1972 Warner Bros. Records (A&R - VP Promotions) Launch - many groups including ...Jethro Tull and Alice Copper. 1972 - 1973 Launch - Alice Cooper (Group) 1973 - 1974 Took a year off in Maui, HI 1974 - 1977 20th Century Fox Records (VP A&R - New York Promotions) Launch - Barry White and the Love Unlimited Orchestra and many more... 1974 - 197720th Centrury-Fox Film Launch - Mel Brooks: "Young Frankenstein" and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show". 1977 - 1979 London Records (VP A&R - Promotions) 1979 - 1982 Salsoul/RCA Records (VP - Promotions) 1977 - 1979 (part time) 1980 - 1986 (full time) Studio 54 (director of special events/theme parties /Corporate Networking and In-House Show Producer) 1986 - (on-going) Sr. VP Global Sales and Ground Transportation Logistics Director.
The Summer of '79 - Judy Weinstein's FOR THE RECORD's 1 1/2 Year Anniversary Party at the PARADISE GARAGE in NYC on King Street (August 20, 1979) Judy Weinstein and VP, RCA/Salsoul's Billy Smith (Amato) totally enraptured.
Studio 54
I worked for a very dear friend and buddy, the late Steve Rubell (oh how I miss him...) and with, the now "Hip Hotelier 'The King' of Stylish Hospitality", Ian Schrager at the world famous "Studio 54" right here in Manhattan as the director of special event theme parties and In-House Show Producer from the opening of April 1977 with a year off in 1979/80 until it's closing in April of 1986, I would need two life times to tell you the real stories behind "Studio 54", un-like what you have read or scene on screen.
Steve Rubell well always be known as the owner of the world famous New York nightclub Studio 54. Born and raised and dide in New York, Steve Rubell and his business partner Ian Schrager operated a number of restaurants and offices before deciding to create the ultimate nightclub. Renting a vacant theater on west 54th Street in Manhattan along with Tim Savage and Jack Dushey. They operated the company as Broadway Catering Corp. Another partner, Richard DeCourcey, was present until September 1979 they opened Studio 54 in April 1977. Their goal was to have a club where anyone could get invited and anything would go within it. After a unpresented opening which it made $7 million within the first year, Studio 54 drew many people and celebrities to its unconventional parties and gatherings. Drugs, alcohol and sex of all kinds inhabited the place which made it all the more notorious and controversial.
By the end of 1979, the excess and business of Studio 54 caught up with Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager when they were arrested by the IRS for income tax evasion all based around a "New York Magazine" story -- "Only if the IRS really knew what we were really making" ... and were sentenced to three years in prison. They both were paroled after serving 13 months and tries operating Studio 54 but without success. Selling it, Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager went into the hotel business where they bought out and operated a number of upscale hotels.
Steve Rubell, a closeted homosexual, was diagnosed HIV positive in 1985, but incredibly denied his condition and continued his excess lifestyle of drinking, drugs. Steve Rubell died July 25, 1989 in NYC by himself. Ian Schrager continues today running their hotels they both started.
This reminds me, before there was a Studio 54 there was - ARTHUR
I use to party with Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli/Peter Allan and Lorna Luft at Sybil Burton's night club in 1965 - 68 discotheque called "Arthur" on East 54th Street. That was when I was a hottie club kid.... Other guest were Richard Burton and Liz Taylor, Tennessee Williams, Princess Margaret, Lee Remick, Nureyev, Truman Capote, Andy Warhol, Bette Davis, Salvador Dali,Sophia Loren, Ed Sullivan and the astronaut... Scott Carpenter were all regulars. That was the real Studio 54....
This is so funny! both clubs were both on 54th Street here in Manhattan one on the East side and the other on the West side, hmmm... history does repeats itself like a mirror on a wall...
A special "You Tube" tribute to STUDIO 54
<Click the You Tube logo below>
Click the You Tube logo to see the Tribute to STUDIO 54
Ian Schrager his way of life as it is today..... A one on one.....personal interview with Ian Schrager on You Tube.
<Click You Tube log below>
Ian Schrager
Ian Schrager his way of life as it is today.....
For The Record...
Billy Amato (Smith) - In House show producer at Studio 54 Wikipedia:
"John Addison owner of the disco "La Jardin" on West 43rd Street, New York City in 1974 introduced Steve Rubell to Billy Smith and then to Ian Schrager. Billy Smith later in 1975 was ask by Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell to handle the promotions for their new disco club called the Enchanted Gardens a dinner/disco in Douglaston, Queens New York. While still in the music business, Billy Smith then joined Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager at Studio 54 in the spring of 1977 part time and full time in 1981 until the closing of Studio 54 in April 1986".
Saturday night party's at Suudio 54 with Billy Amato (Smith)
When Studio 54 re-open in 1981 to the closing April, 1986 - Saturday nights were the hot disco nights at Studio 54 with Billy Smith's (Amato) "WPLJ" and "Z100" disco radio nights parties. Billy had been working with owner Steve Rubell for 11 years from 1977 - 1986 as director of Special Events/In-House Show Producer. His Abbie Hoffman's Wednesday nights that were the first of 'Corporate Networking' programs. He was responsible for the launch of the "record" career of Madonna when on Saturday, June 4th in 1983. (See Madonna's invite below) Madonna had her first Studio 54 performance for her hit record "Holiday" - with the help of Johnny "Jellybean" Benitez DJ at the "Fun House" disco in the Chelsea area of Manhattan and at the time Madonna's boy friend. Madonna record "Holiday" was added to the Z100 play list on the following Monday morning after her performances at Studio 54. Madonna in return did two more performances later in that year in gratis, that was the deal..." Billy Smith (Billy Amato) said to 60 Minutes an CBS TV news show. Other Various Artists - legendary performers of Peter Allen Singer/Songwriter, Wham!, Duran Duran, Culture Club, Menudo, Run-DMC, Dolly Parton, The Village People, The Weather Girls, Selvester, Diana Ross, Robert Flack, Dolly Parton, Eartha Kitt, Lime, Some of the world's most famous performers also performed their new songs: Donna Summer, Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, Grace Jones, Gloria Gaynor, Sylvester, The Village People, Cheryl Lynn, Brooklyn Dreams, James Brown, Phyllis Hyman, Amii Stewart, Chic, The Ritchie Family, Rick James, Stephanie Mills, Roberta Kelly, and Arthur Russell all sang their most famous songs during the Studio 54 era. There were many other artists that performed on the Studio 54 stage before becoming famous including many of the Brodway Show performers on behalf and help of the direction of Billy Amato (Smith).
"Madonna" Saturday evening June 4th in 1983 with thanks to Johnny "Jellybean" Benitez DJ from the Funhouse.
Studio 54 - on the radio
Studio 54 SiriusXm
I just did a 1.5hr interview on SiriusXm with Marc Benecke (The Studio 54 doorman) who is now the "On-Air Talent" at SiriusXM Radio-Studiuo 54 and Myra Scheer who is co-hosting with Marc on the NEW Studio 54 SiriusXM radio on channel 15. It did air a few times and lots of fun to do... "I told my Madonna story, they loved it all". Johnny "Jellybean" Benitez is the Excutive-producer for the SiriusXMRadio-Studiuo 54 channel. They already interviewed Carolina Herrera, Bob Colacello, Jackie Rogers, Richie Notar, Nicky Siano, Chuck and a number of others that worked there. They tape for about an hour and the musical interludes are thrown in. It's been great so far Marc said... "with everyone's personal stories, and people just talking about their influences from the period and what they are doing now. We only talk about the early period 1977 - 1979".
Photos below - I found in my archives of the days working with Steve Rubell at the Studio. I like to share them with you all... some are with the late Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett (RIP).
Plesae check back from time to time I will be adding more...
PHOTO NOTE: To view and see the text in the photos below please click onto the photo you like to enlarge.
This is so funny! both clubs were both on 54th Street here in Manhattan one on the East side and the other on the West side, hmmm... history does repeats itself like a mirror on a wall...