Then & now: Entertainment

Celebrity Long Islanders

Then

Billy Joel, raised in Hicksville, was a Grammy-winning star in 1978 (for the song and record “Just the Way You Are”), with his first No. 1 album “52nd St.” and is a celebrity still today. Joan Jett and the Runaways, Twisted Sister and Blue Oyster Cult were also making waves by 1978. Julius Erving was a hoops star, and blockbuster novelist Nelson Demille published his first bestseller, “By the Rivers of Babylon.”

Now

Now, celebrity couple singers Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony reside on Long Island. Other celebs born, raised or residing here include Ashanti, Busta Rhymes, Eddie Murphy, Alec Baldwin, Jerry Seinfeld, Mariah Carey, Pat Benatar and Boomer Esiason.

Sports

Then

In 1978-79, the Islanders record was 51-15-14, and with star Bryan Trottier, right, were a season away from a four year reign as Stanley Cup winners. In 1978, the Nets, now in the NBA, were playing their first season off Long Island as the New Jersey Nets. They had traded away their best player, Roosevelt-born Julius “Dr. J” Erving, and floundered.

Now

The 2008-09 Islanders fared worse, coming in dead last with a record of 26-47-9. They were then able to sign the NHL number one draft pick John Tavares.

Fashion

Then

Leisure suits, wide ties, long sideburns and afros, shags, Frye boots, fitted polyester Huckapoo shirts, bellbottoms and the Annie Hall look.

Now

Skinny or ripped jeans, baggy pants, pricy sneakers and t-shirts with chain store names on it, low-cut tight tops, Uggs (pictured), scarfs, big handbags and straight or touseled hair predominate.

Pastimes

Then

Roller rinks, which once numbered more than a dozen on the Island, are down to two, and drive-ins are gone. Kiddie amusement parks like Nunley’s in Baldwin, the Jolly Rogers in Plainedge and the Lollipop Farm in Syosset have been replaced by chain stores and developments. The farmers markets in Bethpage/Hicksville and Bay Shore, and the auto and harness racing tracks -- from the Freeport Municipal Speedway to Roosevelt Raceway -- suffered the same fate.

Now

Jones Beach and Adventureland still draw the crowds, sledders still go down Bald Hill in Farmingville. And while old and lamented Long Island franchises like Wetsons, Jack-in-the-Box and Hardees are no more, fast food is never hard to find. Also, fitness clubs, multiplexes, paintball and laser tag, organized sports and computer and video games rule.

Institutions

Then

Historic mansions, parks, small art museums, historical societies, Old Bethpage Restoration Village, all existed in 1978.

Now

Newer are the Long Island Children’s Museum, and the Cradle of Aviation.

Hot club music venue

Then

In 1978, Johnny Winter played a date at the famed music venue My Father’s Place in Roslyn.

Now

In February, he’ll appear at the bar-club The Crazy Donkey in Farmingdale.