Billy Joel

Birth Place: Bronx, NY, USA

Get Billy Joel Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Billy Joel BIO

Having sold more than 150 million records, Billy Joel ranks as one of most popular recording artists and respected entertainers in the world. Throughout the years, Joel's songs have acted as personal and cultural touchstones for millions of people, mirroring his own goal of writing songs that "meant something during the time in which I lived ... and transcended that time."

Billy Joel has had 33 Top 40 hits and 23 Grammy nominations since signing his first solo recording contract in 1972. In 1990, he was presented with a Grammy Legend Award. Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1992, Joel was presented with the Johnny Mercer Award, the organization's highest honor, in 2001. In 1999 he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and has received the Recording Industry Association of America Diamond Award, presented for albums that have sold over 10 million copies.

In November, 2014, Billy Joel will receive The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, which honors living musical artists whose lifetime contributions in the field of popular song exemplify the standard of excellence associated with George and Ira Gershwin, by promoting the genre of song as a vehicle of cultural understanding; entertaining and informing audiences; and inspiring new generations. Also in November, 2014, Billy will receive the once-in-a-century ASCAP Centennial Award. This is presented to American music icons in recognition of their incomparable accomplishments in their respective music genres and beyond.

December 2013, Madison Square Garden announced Billy Joel as the first-ever music franchise of "The World's Most Famous Arena." Joining the ranks of The Garden's other original franchises - including the New York Knicks, Rangers and Liberty - Billy Joel kicked off this franchise at The Garden performing a show a month, as long as there is demand, starting January 27, 2014. Since his first show in 1978, Billy has performed 46 shows at Madison Square Garden, including an unprecedented 12 consecutive sold-out shows that have earned Billy a spot among the Garden greats with a banner raised in his honor.

Also in December 2013, Billy Joel received the 36th Annual Kennedy Center Honor, one of the United States' top cultural awards. At The ceremony, Don Henley sang the classic ballad, "She's Got a Way." Also paying homage was Garth Brooks, who performed a medley of "Allentown" and "Goodnight Saigon" and Rufus Wainwright who performed two Joel classics, "New York State of Mind" and "Piano Man." Brendan Urie performed "Big Shot." Tony Bennett introduced the tribute.

Joel held his first ever indoor Irish concert at the O2 in Dublin on November 1, 2013. He also returned to the UK for the first time in seven years and played two arena dates in Manchester and Birmingham plus a very special - more intimate - show at London's Hammersmith Apollo. In October 2013, Billy Joel held a surprise concert on Long Island at The Paramount (Huntington, NY) to benefit Long Island Cares. On December 31, 2013, Billy performed at The Barclays Center.

In 2013, Billy Joel held tens of thousands of visitors to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in the palm of his hand. It was Joel's second full-length show in three years He went to New Orleans fresh from Sydney, Australia, where he played a full set at the Stone Music Festival.

Joel and his band prepared a similar array of Joel's huge collection of hits for Sydney and New Orleans, and mixed in some handpicked tunes specific to the venue at hand. Joel told the crowd, "we know how you felt" since last year's Hurricane Sandy, referring to Hurricane Katrina, which hit New Orleans in 2005. "We're trying to rebuild. We're taking inspiration from you guys."

New York's quintessential son, Billy Joel, performed six songs at the historic 12.12.12 The Concert For Sandy Relief, joining other music greats including Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen and more to raise awareness and money to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy. The show, which included tributes to first responders and those affected by the storm, was broadcast to an estimated 2 billion viewers and raised $32 million in funds before anyone took the stage. Billy, who is proud of his personal connection to Long Island and the tri-state area impacted by the storm, told the audience, "We're going to get through all this. This is New York and New Jersey and Long Island, and we're just too mean to lay down and die."

Billy Joel was honored by Steinway & Sons with a painted portrait that hangs in Steinway Hall in Manhattan. Joel, who has been a Steinway Artist for almost 20 years, is the first non-classical pianist to be immortalized in the Steinway Hall collection. His portrait hangs alongside those of legendary musicians including Sergei Rachmaninoff, Franz Liszt, Arthur Rubinstein, Ignacy Paderewski, and more. The portrait of Billy Joel, painted by artist and musician Paul Wyse, is one of only two living artists to be inducted into the collection, the other being Leon Fleisher. In 2010, Joel released "The Last Play at Shea. The intersecting histories of a city, a team, and a music legend are examined in a documentary feature film that charts both the ups and downs of the New York Mets and the life and career of Long Island native Billy Joel, the last performer to play Shea Stadium before its demolition in 2008. Energetically set to the soundtrack of Joel's final Shea concert, "The Last Play At Shea" interweaves personal and candid Joel interviews with concert footage-with guests such as Sir Paul McCartney, Tony Bennett, Garth Brooks, Steven Tyler, John Mayer, Don Henley, Roger Daltrey - the history of Shea, and the birth of the Mets.

In 2004, Billy Joel received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, adding another milestone to his extraordinary career. "Movin' Out," a Broadway musical based on Joel's music choreographed and directed by Twyla Tharp, was nominated for 10 Tony Awards and took home two including Best Orchestrations-Billy's first Tony Award win-and Best Choreography.

In addition to his Grammy Awards, Joel has earned three Awards For Cable Excellence and has received numerous ASCAP and BMI awards including the ASCAP Founders Award and the BMI Career Achievement Award and, in 1994, was given the 1994 Billboard Century Award. Among his many other awards and honors, Billy Joel has been given a Doctor of Humane Letters from Fairfield University (1991), a Honorary Doctorate from Berklee College of Music (1993), and a Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Hofstra University (1997) and a Doctor of Music from Southampton College.

Joel has donated his time and resources to a variety of charitable causes outside the realm of his musical career. A longtime advocate for music education, he first began holding "master class" sessions on college campuses more than 20 years ago, giving sessions at colleges across the country and around the world. In addition, he has held classes as a benefit for the STAR Foundation (Standing for Truth About Radiation) and to establish the Rosalind Joel Scholarship for the Performing Arts at City College in New York City.

Billy Joel has launched an ongoing educational initiative to provide seed money, musical scholarships, and endowments to a variety of East Coast colleges, universities and music schools.

For his accomplishments as a musician and as a humanitarian, Billy Joel was honored as the 2002 MusiCares Person Of The Year by the MusiCares Foundation and the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.

Billy Joel Photos

Billy Joel Productions

 
[US Tour, 2004]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 2002]
Orchestrator

Writing

Composer/Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist

Billy Joel Awards and Nominations


winner
Tony Awards - 2003 - Best Orchestrations

Billy Joel, Movin' Out

Billy Joel Videos

Billy Joel News


Review: ALAN CUMMING IS NOT ACTING HIS AGE delights Sanders Theatre audience

What did our critic think of ALAN CUMMING IS NOT ACTING HIS AGE at Sanders Theatre? In his eponymous show Alan Cumming Is Not Acting His Age, the performer definitely lives up to the title.

Photos: Peter Cincotti Receives Legend Award at Songbook Gala

The Society for the Preservation of the Great American Songbook (SPGAS) held their annual Gala earlier this week at The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. Check out photos here!

Billy Joel to be Honored by Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a concert gala in honor of Billy Joel. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

Zac Brown Band Releases New Summer Anthem 'Tie Up'

Get ready for the summer with Zac Brown Band's new anthem, Tie Up. This latest release is sure to become your new favorite track for the hot season. The track was inspired by Brown's own favorite place to tie up, on scenic Lake Lanier in North Georgia.

Grace Potter Comes to Indian Ranch This Summer

Grace Potter is coming to Indian Ranch in Webster, MA on Sunday, August 4, 2024. Learn more about Grace and find out how to attend the show here!

Relive The Best Of The 1980s With The South Bend Symphony in April

Join the South Bend Symphony Orchestra for BACK TO THE 80'S, a concert featuring iconic hits from the 1980s. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Review: Grammy Nominee Jane Monheit Makes OC Return at Irvine Barclay

Returning to Orange County, CA for a one-night-only concert at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, Monheit stunned the audience with her incredible talents, offering fresh live performances of superb tunes—including many from the Broadway stage—that are slated for her upcoming new studio album releasing this summer.

Paula Poundstone & More to Perform at Berkshire Theatre Group This Spring

Join Berkshire Theatre Group has revealed its spring lineup at The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, MA. See who is performing and learn how to purchase tickets!

Scoop: Coming Up on THE MASKED SINGER on FOX - Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Get all the scoop on THE MASKED SINGER, airing on FOX on Wednesday, March 20, 2024! Robin Thicke kicks off the episode with a rockstar rendition of “My Life.” Then, the last group of celebrity singers belt out classic tunes from the iconic “Piano Man” himself, Bill Joel! Watch a video from a recent episode now!

Zac Brown Band to Release New Single 'Tie Up' Next Week

Get ready for Zac Brown Band's latest single, 'Tie Up.' Stay tuned for this exciting new track from the renowned country music group. “Tie Up” is a catchy summer anthem that transports listeners to dog days by the water with a fishing pole and good friends. Zac Brown Band will be bringing their diverse live show to over 20 cities this year.

Society for the Preservation of the Great American Songbook Dedicates Gala to Brian Mulroney

Celebrate the legacy of former Canada PM Brian Mulroney at the SPGAS Benefactors Gala on March 24.

Face 2 Face: Tribute To Elton John and Billy Joel Returns To Indian Ranch This Summer

Face 2 Face: A Tribute to Elton John & Billy Joel returns to Indian Ranch in Webster, MA on Friday, August 9, 2024. Tickets go on-sale this Saturday, March 16th at 10:00 AM.

Review: Ann Hampton Callaway Is FINDING BEAUTY (and more fans) at Dizzy's

Get yourself to Dizzy's at Columbus Circle this weekend if you want to catch the beauty of 'Finding Beauty' with Ann Hampton Callaway's originals and pop covers. The sublime singeris in residence at Dizzy's through Sunday, March 10.

Singer/Songwriter Jeff Lake Releases Debut Album MIDNIGHT SUN

Singer/Songwriter Jeff Lake's has released his debut album MIDNIGHT SUN.

Center Stage Records to Re-Release Four Albums by Jessica Molaskey

Center Stage Records will re-release four classic Jessica Molaskey albums – Pentimento, A Good Day, Make Believe, and Sitting in Limbo. Learn more about these albums and see how to listen!

Kaleo Performs at Rome's Historic Archeological Park of the Colosseum

This past Saturday, March 2nd, 2024, GRAMMY-nominated Icelandic rockers KALEO celebrated their 10th anniversary by delivering a stunning live performance in front of 250 of their biggest fans at the Archeological Park of the Colosseum, Rome, and in the shadow of the world-famous amphitheater.

JERSEY BOYS, THE LITTLE MERMAID & More Set for La Mirada Theatre Spring Lineup

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts has revealed its spring lineup! Learn more about the season and see how to purchase tickets.

Scoop: Coming Up on THE MASKED SINGER Season Premiere on FOX - Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Get all the scoop on THE MASKED SINGER, airing on FOX on Wednesday, March 6, 2024! The season premiere episode will kick off with a performance by new panelist Rita Ora! She will be joined by host NICK CANNON and returning celebrity panelists Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg and Robin Thicke! Watch a video preview of the new season now!

Bowen * Young Reveals Release Date for Debut Album

Discover the release date for the highly anticipated debut album from BOWEN * YOUNG. Clare and Brandon co-wrote nine of the 10 tracks on the album and collaborated with Sean McConnell (Brothers Osborne, Buddy Miller), Mikky Ekko (Vance Joy, Teddy Swims) as well as Roger Alan Nichols (Paramore, Steven Tyler) as producers.

The Society for the Preservation of the Great American Songbook Hosts Gala in March

The Society for the Preservation of the Great American Songbook is hosting its 2024 Benefactors Gala at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, March 24, at 6 pm.

Billy Joel FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Billy Joel written?

Billy Joel has written 1 shows including Movin' Out (Composer/Lyricist).

What awards has Billy Joel been nominated for?

Billy Joel has been nominated for Best Orchestrations at the Tony Awards for "Movin' Out."

What awards has Billy Joel won?

Billy Joel's "Movin' Out" won the Tony Award for Best Orchestrations.

Get Billy Joel Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos