Billy Joel

Billy Joel is an American singer, songwriter, pianist and composer. He has sold over 150 million records worldwide, making him one of the bestselling artists of all time. Joel has been inducted into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He has won multiple Grammy awards, including the Grammy Legend Award in 1990.

Born on May 9, 1949 in the Bronx, New York City, Joel was raised in a musical family. His father, Howard, was a classically trained pianist and a jazz musician, while his mother, Rosalind, was a singer and pianist. From an early age, Joel was exposed to different kinds of music, including classical, jazz, and pop. He began playing the piano by ear at the age of four.

At the age of 14, Joel began his professional music career as a piano bar musician in various New York clubs. During this time, he wrote his first song, “Nowhere Man.” In 1972, he released his debut album, Cold Spring Harbor, which featured the single “Piano Man.” The single became an international hit, reaching the Top 25 in multiple countries.

Throughout the 1970s and ’80s, Joel released a string of successful albums, including The Stranger (1977), 52nd Street (1978), and An Innocent Man (1983). His music was characterized by an eclectic mix of styles, including pop, rock, and classical. In the ’90s, he released a series of classical music albums, including Fantasies & Delusions (2001).

Joel has also been involved in philanthropy. He has established two charities, the Long Island Foundation for the Arts and Humanities and the Oyster Bay-based Long Island Council of the Arts. He is also an advocate for music education, and has donated money to schools and organizations that promote music education for children.

In recent years, Joel has focused on his touring career. He has played sold-out shows in major venues around the world, including Madison Square Garden and Wembley Stadium. He has also been featured in numerous television specials, including Billy Joel: The Last Play at Shea (2011) and Billy Joel: Live at the Garden (2014).

Billy Joel is one of the most successful and influential musicians of all time. His distinctive style of piano-driven rock and roll has earned him widespread acclaim and recognition. He is an icon of popular music, and his