![]() This is New York and New Jersey and Long Island, and we’re just too mean to lay down and die.”īilly Joel was honored by Steinway & Sons with a painted portrait that hangs in Steinway Hall in Manhattan. ![]() 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. In 2013, Billy Joel held tens of thousands of visitors to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in the palm of his hand. On December 31, 2013, Billy performed at The Barclays Center. In October 2013, Billy Joel held a surprise concert on Long Island at The Paramount (Huntington, NY) to benefit Long Island Cares. 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. Joel held his first ever indoor Irish concert at the O2 in Dublin on November 1, 2013. ![]() 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. Since his first show in 1978, Billy has performed more than 100 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.Īlso in December 2013, Billy Joel received the 36th Annual Kennedy Center Honor, one of the United States’ top cultural awards. This is presented to American music icons in recognition of their incomparable accomplishments in their respective music genres and beyond.ĭecember 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. Also in November, 2014, Billy received the once-in-a-century ASCAP Centennial Award. In November 2014, Billy Joel received 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. ![]() 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. 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 1990, he was presented with a Grammy Legend Award. 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.”īilly Joel has had 33 Top 40 hits and 23 Grammy nominations since signing his first solo recording contract in 1972. Having sold more than 150 million records, Billy Joel ranks as one of most popular recording artists and respected entertainers in the world.
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