Penn State Great Valley will host “Long Long Time: The Sigma Reunion Film Premiere and Panel Discussion with the Band” on Thursday, Sept. 21, at 7:00 PM. Registration costs $5 and proceeds support Penn State Great Valley’s arts and culture programming.

In early 1972, only a few months into Billy Joel’s debut tour of the United States, Philadelphia radio station WMMR invited him and his three-piece band to their Sigma Sound Studios to perform a live set as part of a series of radio shows featuring unknown artists.

Joel and the band performed one of his new songs, “Captain Jack”. DJs at WMMR later played the live version on their shows and it became the most requested song in the station’s history. That excitement led to Joel signing with Columbia Records.

This electrifying live concert movie captures the reunion, 41 years later, of bassist Larry Russell, a member of the original touring band; drummer Rhys Clark, a member of the original touring band who also played on Joel’s debut album; and guitarist, Don Evans, who also played on the debut album.

Recorded live at the iconic Greenwich Village music club The Bitter End, Elio Pace and David Clark “fill Joel’s shoes” with six sensational performances each, while 15-year-old Kenny Ingram proves the incredible reach of Billy Joel’s music with two magnificent performances.

Following of the film, Penn State Great Valley will host a discussion with the stars: executive producer and performer Elio Pace; performers David Clark and Kenny Ingram; and original band members Rhys Clark, Don Evans and Larry Russel.

Falling (Live April 1972 At Sigma Sound Studios, MMR Radio).