Creating festivals made a major impact on society in general because you couldn't draw large crowds indoors. At Newport we were soon drawing crowds of 10,000 and there weren't halls that could hold that many people.

Creating festivals made a major impact on society in general because you couldn't draw large crowds indoors. At Newport we were soon drawing crowds of 10,000 and there weren't halls that could hold that many people.

History has a way of coming back to you. In the case of Janis Joplin appearing at the festival in 1968, her performance affected the life of a Bostonian who is now a member of the Newport Festivals Foundation Board of Directors. Ward Mooney was so affected and emotionally involved in Janis’ performance at Newport, that when he heard the festival was going nonprofit, he knew wanted to become a part. Janis was beautiful, gracious and respectful, and the power of her Newport performance continues to live on.

Rhode Island has become a second home to me after being involved in its cultural life for over 61 years. I look upon it as a privilege to be inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame.

I got more publicity for not doing a festival than for doing the festival.

An eighty-nine year old kid from Boston playing a blues in New Orleans takes a lot of chutzpah.