Billy Joel
William Martin Joel or Billy Joel as he is widely known as is, according to the RIAA, the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist of all-time. He is perhaps known for first hit “The Piano Man”. His early influences were Ray Charles, The Beatles, Dave Brubeck, Sam Cooke and the Rolling Stones. In his 4 decade plus career he has sold more than 100 million records and has won 6 Grammy Awards.
Joel was born on May 9, 1949 in the Bronx and brought up in Levittown, Hicksville, New York. Billy discovered classical music at a early age and this classical piano training provided him with a strong foundation for his future career. At age 14, on seeing The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show, Billy joined his first band – The Echoes (later known as the Lost Souls). Billy’s parents had divorced around this time his mother was struggling to make ends meet. During junior high school, Billy took professional music jobs at night to supplement the income. However, Joel found it difficult to attend classes due late night performances. He was not allowed to graduate from high school because of too many absences.
Family Productions signed Joel and subsequently recorded his first solo album. Cold Spring Harbor was released in 1971. It was here that he recorded his hit ‘Piano Man’, his signature tune. He got to executives of recording companies and soon he Columbia records signed him during the years 1973-1975. Billy’s lyrical themes have references made to locations in the metropolitan area of New York, particularly Long Island. The album Kohuept (Russian : “Concert”) was released in October 1987. Joel covered versions of The Beatles classic “Back In The U.S.S.R.” and Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin’”. It is probable that Joel lost about $1 million of his own wealth on the trip and concerts, however he said the goodwill generated was definitely worth it . Celebrating the 151st anniversary of the Academy of Music on January 26, 2008, Joel performed his new classical piece entitled, “Waltz No. 2 (Steinway Hall)”, and also played some of his more obscure pieces with full orchestral backing. Some of them were the rarely performed “Scandinavian Skies” and “Where’s the Orchestra?”of the Nylon Curtain songs.
Joel’s first wife was, Elizabeth Weber Small, who he married on September 5, 1973. He married her after an affair while in the band Attila (She was the wife of fellow the drummer Jon Small ). She continued to be his business manager although she divorced on July 20th ,1982. This turned out to be a mistake as her brother Frank Weber embezzled his savings later. On October 2, 2004, Joel married 23-year-old Katie Lee and the time of the wedding Joel was 55-years-old. Joel’s 18-year-old daughter Alexa served as the maid-of-honor. But after Five Years of marriage, on June 17, 2009 both confirmed that they have split.
Billy Joel has been awarded many Honorary Doctorates, some of which include Doctor of Humane Letters from Fairfield University (1991) and Doctor of Music from Berklee College of Music (1993).
Billy Joel remains one the most influential and well known personalities in music. With over 20 Grammy nominees he created a niche for himself. Billy Joel’s music is enjoyed by millions of fans throughout the world.
- Kevin Lobo
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