Billy Joel - Audio Biography

Billy Joel - The Piano Man
Childhood & Early Inspiration William Martin Joel was born in
the Bronx on May 9, 1949. His father Howard was an accomplished
classically trained pianist, while his mother Rosalind was an
admirer of pop music stars. Introduced to the piano at age 4, young
Billy took quickly to his father's intense classical training
regimen while also soaking in his mother’s pop tastes from stars
like Ray Charles and The Beatles.
Billy's parents split when he was just shy of his teen years,
profoundly impacting the shy boy. He channeled feelings of sadness
and anger into piano playing. By age 16, his musical tastes had
evolved into blues, soul and rock, with masters like Paul McCartney
and John Lennon as heroes. In supporting himself, Joel took up
boxing for a short period under the name Billy Martin. He continued
nurturing his piano skills by performing at local events and
bars.
Early Career & Struggles Quitting high school to pursue a
career in music full-time, Joel joined various pop groups through
the mid-1960s. In 1970 at just 20 years old, he signed his first
solo record deal with Family Productions, releasing his debut Cold
Spring Harbor the next year.
The terms of the Family Productions deal swindled Joel out of
royalties, as the album was mastered incorrectly to play at too
high a speed. Devastated and embarrassed by the results, Joel fled
to Los Angeles where he began playing piano bars under the
pseudonym Bill Martin to make ends meet. After 6 months out west,
Joel returned to New York with a newfound appreciation for
songwriting craftsmanship while performing live.
Breakthrough Success Joel's fortunes changed in 1972 when Columbia
Records signed him after seeing a local club performance. His 1973
album Piano Man, captured Joel’s tales of struggle and characters
encountered during his Los Angeles piano bar stint. The heartfelt
title track became his first major hit single, earning Joel
national television appearances and widespread fame at last.
Over his next albums Streetlife Serenade and Turnstiles, Joel honed
his fusion of pop, rock, blues and Tin Pan Alley into a signature
sound while continuing to draw influence from his personal life.
Songs like "The Entertainer" and "Say Goodbye to Hollywood"
cemented his reputation as an insightful chronicler of the triumphs
and pitfalls chasing artistic dreams. Superstardom Joel’s 1977
album The Stranger launched him into iconic stardom on the wings of
hits “Just the Way You Are,” “Movin’ Out” and “Only the Good Die
Young.” It garnered him the first two of six career Grammy awards.
He quickly followed up with 52nd Street in 1978, containing
chart-toppers “My Life,” “Big Shot,” and “Honesty.”
By the end of the decade, Joel ranked as one of the highest-selling
music artists in America. He captivated audiences with marathon
concerts showcasing his impeccable piano playing and voice. Joel
also began collaborating with other superstars like Paul McCartney
as his prestige soared.
1980s Peak The 1980s saw Joel unleash some of popular music’s most
ubiquitous songs, catapulting him to widespread fame beyond just
rock circles. His fusion of classical compositional styles with pop
melodicism hit new highs with the release of Glass Houses in 1980.
Upbeat rockers like “You May Be Right” and “It’s Still Rock and
Roll to Me” became anthems that connected strongly with
youth.
Later songs explored deeper themes, with the ballad “Just the Way
You Are” earning Joel his first two Grammy awards in 1979. The
Nylon Curtain album tackled pressing social issues like Vietnam
veterans’ struggles and American factories shuttering. Chart smash
“Uptown Girl” off the follow-up An Innocent Man album became
emblematic of Joel's revival of pop standards styles.
Joel's concert appeal also swelled enormously during the 1980s
prime. Backed by his reliable band, shows stretched over 3 hours
nightly, treating crowds to electric performances of hits alongside
album cuts and improvised jams. His month-long residency touring
the Soviet Union in 1987 also made history as the first American
rock act ever to perform there, helping thaw Cold War tensions
through music.
1990s – Present Legacy While the 1990s saw Joel release his final
pop album River of Dreams, the decade kicked off with his highest
honor - induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1999. He
became one of the youngest solo artists ever enlisted, affirming
his body of work's stature and influence. In 2013, Joel received
Kennedy Center Honors for enriching American culture through
music.
Though no longer recording new albums, Joel continues performing
sold-out shows annually at New York’s Madison Square Garden,
celebrating his decades of hits. In 2014, he played his
record-setting 65th consecutive MSG monthly gig, outdoing even The
Grateful Dead’s previous house act record there.
Now over 50 years into his illustrious career, Billy Joel’s catalog
stands among popular music’s most treasured. His piano-driven story
songs resonate by blending classical techniques with pop themes
about chasing dreams. Now nearing 75 years old, Joel sustains a
devotion to songwriting excellence and powerhouse live performing -
making him both one of rock’s finest showmen and craftsmen. Thanks
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