Billy Joel BiographyBilly Joel is a renowned American singer-songwriter and pianist, born May 9, 1949, in the Bronx, New York, known for his string of hit songs in the 1970s and ’80s like “Piano Man” and “Uptown Girl”. After leaving high school to pursue music, he played in bands like The Hassles and Attila before launching a successful solo career. He became a major concert draw, eventually starting a long-running Madison Square Garden residency in 2014.
Early Life and Career
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Birth and Childhood:Born William Martin Joel, he grew up in Hicksville, Long Island, after his family moved from the Bronx.
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Musical Roots:He began piano lessons at a young age and was a talented musician, though he was often teased for his musical interests in school.
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Early Bands:After dropping out of high school, he joined the bands The Hassles and then the duo Attila before embarking on a solo career.
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Debut Album:His first solo album, Cold Spring Harbor (1971), was followed by a move to Los Angeles where he recorded Piano Man (1973).
Stardom and Hits
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Piano Man:The album’s title track, inspired by his time playing piano in a Los Angeles bar, became a signature song and his first major hit.
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The Stranger:This 1977 album propelled him to stardom with its hit song “Just the Way You Are”.
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Iconic Songs:Other famous songs include “My Life” (1978), “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me” (1980), “Uptown Girl” (1983), and “We Didn’t Start the Fire” (1989).
Later Career and Legacy
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Concert Career:Joel became a major concert draw and, after a hiatus from new albums in the 1990s, continued to be a popular performer.
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Madison Square Garden:In 2014, he began a successful residency at Madison Square Garden, performing monthly shows.
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Broadway Show:A musical based on his songs, Movin’ Out, was a Broadway hit in the early 2000s.
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Impact:With over 160 million records sold worldwide, he remains one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
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