NYIT Alumnus Recalls Reporting on The Beach Boys

Steve Matteo (B.F.A. '89) got his start in journalism as senior arts editor of The Campus Slate student newspaper at NYIT. In September 1980, he interviewed Carl Wilson of The Beach Boys before a concert at Nassau Coliseum on Long Island, N.Y. The Beach Boys were in town to promote their album Keepin' the Summer Alive. Matteo published the interview in "Marquee," the newspaper's arts section.

"I had a great experience working on The Campus Slate," said Matteo. "At a very young age, I learned the discipline required to write and edit. It was also nice having the freedom to create a weekly arts section with no constraints."

[Read Matteo's interview by clicking on the image below (PDF)]

Today, Matteo is a publicity manager at Finn Partners and music editor for Long Island Pulse. He has published stories in The New York Times and Rolling Stone, among other publications, and is the author of two books: Dylan, a biography of Bob Dylan, and Let It Be, which tells the story behind making the Beatles' album and film of the same name.

"Working on a newspaper is an excellent opportunity for any student who wants to work in the media," said Matteo. "I had lots of fun, and every week I had something concrete to show for my efforts. It was also amazing to have Dr. Guiliano as The Campus Slate's faculty advisor at the time."

As for The Beach Boys, they continue to make music three decades later, though Carl and Dennis Wilson have passed away. On Oct. 21, the band will be at the Kodak Center for Performing Arts in Rochester, N.Y. View The Beach Boys' 2015 tour schedule.

This content is part of The Box's "60 Years in 60 Days" series in celebration of NYIT's 60th anniversary in 2015.