Music Flashback: Billy Joel

Billy Joel is an American Singer, Songwriter, Pianist, and Composer.

He was born William Martin Joel in The Bronx, NY in 1949.

Early in his career, he performed under the name Bill Martin.

He charted his first hit single “Piano Man” in 1973, and has since gone on to chart 33 singles onto the Billboard Top-40 Charts here in the US.

Though “Piano Man” only reached #25 on the US Charts, it is widely considered to be his signature song.

Currently, he is the 3rd best-selling solo artist in US Music History.

He has released 13 Studio Albums over the course of his career.

His many hits include:

Piano Man
Say Goodbye to Hollywood
Just the Way you are
New York State of Mind
Movin Out
Only the Good Die Young
She’s always a Woman
The Stranger
My Life
Big Shot
Honesty
You may be right
Pressure
Allentown
It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me
Don’t ask my why
Sometimes a Fantasy
She’s got a way
Tell her about it
Uptown Girl
An Innocent Man
The Longest Time
Leave a tender moment alone
Keeping the Faith
You’re only Human
We Didn’t start the Fire
I go to Extremes
The Night is still young
A matter of Trust
River of Dreams
All about Soul
This is the Time
Hey Girl

and many others….

It’s still Rock and Roll to Me, Tell her about it, and We Didn’t Start the Fire…all reached #1 on the Billboard Charts.

Billy Joel was married to Model/Actress Christie Brinkley from 1985-1994. They had one daughter together, Alexa Ray Joel, who is herself an aspiring singer today.

Billy Joel was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.

I have seen him in concert twice. Once in a solo concert in Portland, Or and once in a dual concert with Elton John in San Antonio, Tx. He is an amazing entertainer in concert, despite being seated at his piano for most of the concert, just as Elton John also is.

Billy Joel has won Six Grammy Awards thus far in his career and has sold over 150 Million albums worldwide.

He still occasionaly tours the globe performing his many classic hits.