Legendary singer, songwriter, and filmmaker Kenny Vance was honored Tuesday at the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame as the first recipient of its Music Documentary Film Festival Legacy Award, recognizing both his six-decade career and the release of Heart & Soul: A Love Story.
The private media event marked the official DVD and streaming launch of the documentary and celebrated Vance’s commitment to preserving the roots of doo-wop and early rock & roll, music that shaped American culture long before global tours and streaming platforms.
A Film Born from Loss — and Purpose
Heart & Soul began after Superstorm Sandy destroyed Vance’s home, forcing him to salvage decades of personal footage. What started as preservation gradually evolved into something more intentional.
Asked when he realized the material had become a true film rather than simply archived memories, Vance reflected:
“You don’t realize something until you work it, refine it, and edit it. Years later, I realized there was a thread here — a story that needed to be told.”
The decade-long project became a tribute to the often-overlooked pioneers of 1950s rock & roll — artists whose influence shaped generations but who rarely received proper recognition.
Recognition at the Right Time
As the first recipient of the Legacy Award, Vance was asked what the recognition meant at this stage of his life.
“It’s a reaffirmation of the work you do. This recognition acknowledges how important this subject really is.”
For Vance, the honor represents the culmination of a career that spans hit records with Jay & the Americans, decades of touring, work in film and television including Saturday Night Live, and now documentary filmmaking.
Why the Award Was Created
LIMEHOF Vice Chairman Tom Needham explained that the Hall’s growing music documentary film festival programming led naturally to recognizing filmmakers who preserve music history on screen.
Asked why it was important for the Hall of Fame to create a Music Documentary Film Festival Legacy Award, and why Vance was the right first recipient, Needham explained:
“If we were going to give an award that represents what our film festival is all about, Kenny is the perfect guy. Not just because of this film, but because throughout his entire career he’s had a unique ability to bring music to movies.”
Needham said Vance’s career uniquely bridges performance, film, television, and preservation — aligning directly with the Hall’s expanding mission as the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame.
He also emphasized why institutions like LIMEHOF play a critical role in preserving the stories highlighted in Heart & Soul.
“People hear new music and think whoever created it is the innovator. There are always people beforehand who came up with it first. People need to know the history so the right people get the credit.”
Needham noted that many early pioneers from Brooklyn and the surrounding region had short-lived careers and were never financially rewarded for their contributions — a reality explored in the film.
Later in the day, Vance continued conversations at LIMEHOF centered on legacy and the enduring influence of early rock & roll.
Now available on DVD and streaming platforms, Heart & Soul: A Love Story serves as both tribute and historical record, ensuring that the voices who helped shape the foundation of rock & roll remain part of the story for generations to come.
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