Billy Joel

Billy Joel
Name	Billy Joel
Caption	Billy Joel in 2009
Birth name	William Martin Joel
Birth date	May 9, 1949
Birth place	The Bronx, New York City, New York, United States
Occupation	Singer-songwriter, Musician
Instrument	Piano, Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals
Years active	1965–present
Label	Columbia Records, Family Productions, Fantasy Records

Billy Joel is a renowned American Singer-songwriter and Musician known for his distinctive Piano-driven rock and pop sound, which has been influenced by Elton John, Leon Russell, and Ray Charles. With a career spanning over five decades, Joel has performed with notable artists such as Elton John, Stevie Wonder, and Paul McCartney. He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and has won numerous awards, including multiple Grammy Awards from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

Early Life and Career

Born in The Bronx, New York City, New York, Joel grew up in Hicksville, New York, and began taking Piano lessons at the age of four with Carl Fischer. He was influenced by the music of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan, and began performing in local rock bands, including The Hassles and Attila. Joel's early career was marked by performances at Max's Kansas City and The Bitter End, where he was discovered by Artie Ripp, the owner of Family Productions, who signed him to a recording contract. Joel's first solo album, Cold Spring Harbor, was released in 1971, but due to a mastering error, the album was initially released with a distorted sound, which was later corrected and re-released by Columbia Records.

Music Style and Influences

Joel's music style is a unique blend of rock, pop, Jazz, and Classical music, which has been influenced by a wide range of artists, including Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon of Queen, as well as Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington, and George Gershwin. His songs often feature complex Piano arrangements and Vocal melodies, which have been praised by critics and fans alike, including Rolling Stone magazine, The New York Times, and The Los Angeles Times. Joel has also been influenced by the music of The Beach Boys, The Four Seasons, and Frank Sinatra, which is reflected in his songs, such as "Uptown Girl", "The Longest Time", and "We Didn't Start the Fire".

Discography

Joel has released 13 studio albums, including Cold Spring Harbor, Piano Man, Streetlife Serenade, Turnstiles, The Stranger, 52nd Street, Glass Houses, The Nylon Curtain, An Innocent Man, The Bridge, Storm Front, and River of Dreams. He has also released several live albums, including Songs in the Attic, KOHЦEPT, and 2000 Years: The Millennium Concert. Joel's albums have been certified gold and platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America and have sold over 150 million copies worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and the Guinness World Records.

Awards and Accolades

Throughout his career, Joel has won numerous awards, including six Grammy Awards from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, as well as American Music Awards from the Dick Clark Productions, and Billboard Music Awards from Billboard. He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Long Island Music Hall of Fame. Joel has also been awarded the Kennedy Center Honors from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Library of Congress's Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, which is presented by the Library of Congress and the University of Michigan.

Personal Life

Joel has been married four times, including to Elizabeth Weber Small, Katie Lee, and Alexis Roderick. He has three daughters, Alexa Ray Joel, Della Rose Joel, and Remy Anne Joel, and is a longtime resident of The Hamptons, where he owns a home in Sag Harbor, New York. Joel is also a philanthropist and has supported various charitable organizations, including the Long Island High School for the Arts, the North Shore Animal League America, and the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Tours and Performances

Joel has toured extensively throughout his career, performing with notable artists such as Elton John, Stevie Wonder, and Paul McCartney. He has also performed at numerous music festivals, including Glastonbury Festival, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Joel's concerts often feature a wide range of his hit songs, including "Piano Man", "Uptown Girl", and "We Didn't Start the Fire", as well as covers of songs by other artists, such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Ray Charles. Joel has also performed at various Arenas and Stadiums, including Madison Square Garden, Wembley Stadium, and Yankee Stadium.

Category:American singer-songwriters