Billy Joel

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Born:
May 9, 1949, he's 63 and American.
Birthname:
William Joseph Martin Joel.
Snapshot:
An Artist with 80 releases, a member of 2 groups, and credited 11 times on others' music. 10 collaborations and 1 musical relative.

Biography

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Singer-songwriter Billy Joel has had a multi-award winning career, selling over 150 million albums and taking his music all around the world. His musical output has changed over his 40 year career, influenced by classical, Tin Pan Alley, blues, and rock and roll.

Prior to his solo career, Joel was in a number of bands: The Echoes, The Hassles (who released two albums), and then Attila, who had one album. His debut solo album in 1971, Cold Spring Harbor, proved to be something of a false start, as the album had been produced at the wrong speed. Joel was also tied in to an unfavourable recording contract and to escape this he moved to LA, where he played piano under an assumed name. During this time he was discovered by a label scout and his record contract was bought out by Columbia Records.

His first album for Columbia, 1973's Piano Man, sold over four million copies and was the real start of a highly successful career. Highlights include the Grammy-nominated The Stranger in 1977, from which came the single "Just the Way You Are". In 1983 the Innocent Man album produced "Uptown Girl", which was about his relationship with US supermodel Christie Brinkley, and in 1989 the Storm Front album produced the single "We Didn't Start the Fire". In 2001 Joel released his first CD of classical music, titled Fantasies & Delusions.

In addition to his multiple awards, including Grammys and American Music Awards, his contribution to the industry saw him inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999, and in 2005 he was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Pictures

Billy Joel - Billy Joel Plays Wembley Arena Getty Images

Billy Joel Plays Wembley Arena

Billy Joel - Billy Joel in Concert at  Acer Arena Stadium in Sydney - November 15, 2006 Getty Images

Billy Joel in Concert at Acer Arena Stadium in Sydney - November 15, 2006

Billy Joel - Billy Joel Portrait Getty Images

Billy Joel Portrait

Billy Joel - Billy Joel Getty Images

Billy Joel

Billy Joel - 39th Annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Presented by Shell - Day 2 Getty Images

39th Annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Presented by Shell - Day 2

Billy Joel - Musician Billy Joel (R) looks on during a "Save th Getty Images

Musician Billy Joel (R) looks on during a "Save th

Music

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Genres

Singer-Songwriter, Adult Contemporary, Piano Rock, Pop, Soft Rock, Album-Oriented Rock (AOR), Rock, Arena Rock, Classical, Hard Rock. Vote on Genres

Discography

92 releases – 80 under his own name, 2 in other groups and 11 credits on others' music Edit
1
Collaborations, Groups and Family
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Billy Joel

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In the News

Hip Hip Hooray for the Piano Man

Nov, 26 2010

Billy Joel is recovering from having both hips replaced last week. The Piano Man’s spokeswoman, Claire Mercuri, told People magazine Wednesday that the 61-year-old pop star is doing "extremely well." After using a cane in recent months, Joel went through the invasive surgery to correct a congenital condition. “This is the longest time I've had off in I don't know how long,” Joel told the World Entertainment News Network. “And I had fun. But I'm ready to start playing again,” said the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer responsible for such hits as “Piano Man,” Uptown Girl and “New York State of Mind.” Joel toured earlier this year promoting the documentary film The Last Play at Shea, which chronicles the waning days of Shea Stadium. According to the project’s website, through a tapestry of performance, historical documentary and personal journey, Joel provides audiences with a pop-culture snapshot of a seminal era in New York’s history. The film weaves interviews with players and performers and exclusive concert footage with Tony Bennett, Garth Brooks, John Mayer and Roger Daltrey, among others. There's no word on when Joel plans to perform on stage again.

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Trivia

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  • Billy Joel had both hips simultaneously replaced in late 2010 to correct a congenital condition.

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