+ultramarineblue me too!! ans he is one of the most generous people with time and etc. ive ever met.. he is one of my favorite [people.. and I love him too.. he is so damn smart!1 and funny as hell..
Billy Joel is a fantastic performer/songwriter/musician/pianist/dude. It's inspiring to hear his stories. His demeanor is so familiar, I feel like I knew the guy personally. I have a couple of friends from Long Island.
These lectures by Billy were extraordinary back in the 90's, caught the one he did in Akron, Ohio at E.J. Thomas Hall. But why can't we get the FULL lecture on DVD??? All we get our 4 minute snippets?? Same with Billy's concerts, from what I have heard they are ALL RECORDED!!!! And have been since the 70's!! Just imagine all the concerts he has ever done, and they are all on a recording somewhere!! Guess they are waiting for all his fans to die out before they are released, I just don't know why, everything he's done is almost buried somewhere? I went to Berklee in the mid 70's, all they had were jazz musicians appearing there at the time, the younger generation at Berklee finally got blessed!!:-)
Only the good die young written as a reggae song - Drumsticks at Billy's head, "The only time you've been to Jamaica is changing trains at the station!"
I love Billy and have seen him in concert 5 times. I am surprised to hear his attitude towards Laughter In The Rain...Neil Sedaka is a world class songwriter. Too, Neil is still singing this song and others like SOLITAIRE in the same key as 40 years ago...hitting those higher notes with the same crystalline quality...compare to Billy's having to drop1and 1/2 to 2 steps on some of his classics. Of course, I have to remember this class was from early 90's, when Billy was still at the peak of his abilities. Will always love Billy, though.
+1060michaelg ......yes but if you want the same crystlline quality & the song played in the same key?.. then you can always put on the CD play the original!..... Billy is just making it different for people.. I like that! Neil Sedaka is a very good song writer!... world-class? .. no!.. Jim steinman , Billy Joel there in my opinion world class!! & possibly Paul Heaton from Beautiful South.... laughter in the rain is a lovely song have a lovely sentiment and a catchy tune ......but not the most meaningful believable lyrics... bit of a wishy washy song really... fantastic 4 someone like Cliff Richard or any female Rockstar even a male group it be good 4.....but Bruce Springsteen, Phil Collins, Jon Bon Jovi???... 😕🙈😞?.... it certainly is very catchy Melody and very sweet but yeah it's a bit wishy washy to be fair.... perhaps a bit cheesy . I don't think Billy was knocking him as a songwriter he's not that kind of person... plus like Neil Billy doesn't mind the falling of the rain!!....🎼🎵🎶,. no no no no ee doesn't man falling off the rain.🎵🎵☔🌂
+1060michaelg ......yes but if you want the same crystlline quality & the song played in the same key?.. then you can always put on the CD play the original!..... Billy is just making it different for people.. I like that! Neil Sedaka is a very good song writer!... world-class? .. no!.. Jim steinman , Billy Joel there in my opinion world class!! & possibly Paul Heaton from Beautiful South.... laughter in the rain is a lovely song have a lovely sentiment and a catchy tune ......but not the most meaningful believable lyrics... bit of a wishy washy song really... fantastic 4 someone like Cliff Richard or any female Rockstar even a male group it be good 4.....but Bruce Springsteen, Phil Collins, Jon Bon Jovi???... 😕🙈😞?.... it certainly is very catchy Melody and very sweet but yeah it's a bit wishy washy to be fair.... perhaps a bit cheesy . I don't think Billy was knocking him as a songwriter he's not that kind of person... plus like Neil Billy doesn't mind the falling of the rain!!....🎼🎵🎶,. no no no no ee doesn't man falling off the rain.🎵🎵☔🌂
+1060michaelg ......yes but if you want the same crystlline quality & the song played in the same key?.. then you can always put on the CD play the original!..... Billy is just making it different for people.. I like that! Neil Sedaka is a very good song writer!... world-class? .. no!.. Jim steinman , Billy Joel there in my opinion world class!! & possibly Paul Heaton from Beautiful South.... laughter in the rain is a lovely song have a lovely sentiment and a catchy tune ......but not the most meaningful believable lyrics... bit of a wishy washy song really... fantastic 4 someone like Cliff Richard or any female Rockstar even a male group it be good 4.....but Bruce Springsteen, Phil Collins, Jon Bon Jovi???... 😕🙈😞?.... it certainly is very catchy Melody and very sweet but yeah it's a bit wishy washy to be fair.... perhaps a bit cheesy . I don't think Billy was knocking him as a songwriter he's not that kind of person... plus like Neil Billy doesn't mind the falling of the rain!!....🎼🎵🎶,. no no no no ee doesn't man falling off the rain.🎵🎵☔🌂
R Monica man Monica, you may be right, I was over reaching w/world class in regards Neil Sedaka. You get no argument from me with Billy-- He is one of a hand full who can be called one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century. His songs just don't age. I think there is room for wishy washy-- I like a good sappy, sentimental tune when I am of a certain frame of mind. My criteria for a song is: Melody first! If the melody is not there, I won't hear the lyric. I get annoyed at rock purists (not calling you one) who don't think a song is worthy unless it is about kids loitering on the frigging Boulevard (ho hum). And, Oh Yes, MUST HATE DISCO! Why? I think Disco is great. Why can't people dig "The Hustle" and "Don't Fear The Reaper"? Bob Seger, an over rated writer if there ever was one, was the hero of all the macho men who went and blew up disco records in Chicago's Comiskey Park. I just hate that narrowness. Thanks for the great comment!
I hope Liberty Devito got a half decent settlement from his lawsuit against Billy Joel. Although he didn't write Billy's songs, here Billy gives two off the cuff examples of how Liberty contributed...
Jon Anderson singing Movin Out....I'm not sure I'd want to hear that ;-) (Though to be fair, Billy Joel singing "Going for the One" wouldn't work either)
He’s honestly one of the most humble guys out there, and even a little self-deprecating at times. Go beyond the stuff that gets played on the radio incessantly.
I would love to spend an afternoon with BIlly and just talk about music...
Yeah he's awesome.
+The Gaming Fuzzball YT I think I saw you on other Billy Joel videos :)
AwesomeRobot15 Yes, I saw you on the Sometimes a Fantasy video
And our play music with Billy Joel. I play Guitar,Piano,bass and drums.
I did
i remember him saying at carnegie hall 1977 "brian ruggles turns 25 tonight" and singing happy birthday for him
It's crazy to think that Brian Ruggles is STILL Billy Joel's sound man after all these years.
I was there. It was the night they recorded a bunch of his songs backed by an orchestra in white tuxedos.
Nice! I swear when billy plays a regular chord it sounds better than when I play it, WTF!?
He's adding larger chordal structures than just triads
i love how he is so generous sharing his knowledge and journey in music. i love billy joel.
+ultramarineblue me too!! ans he is one of the most generous people with time and etc. ive ever met.. he is one of my favorite [people.. and I love him too.. he is so damn smart!1 and funny as hell..
+Roxxane D'troyt ^nice back door brag ;)
Billy Joel is a fantastic performer/songwriter/musician/pianist/dude. It's inspiring to hear his stories. His demeanor is so familiar, I feel like I knew the guy personally. I have a couple of friends from Long Island.
Billy Joel writing like YES? BLOWS MY MIND!
that cracked me up
I'd love to hear him do a 15-minute track
These lectures by Billy were extraordinary back in the 90's, caught the one he did in Akron, Ohio at E.J. Thomas Hall. But why can't we get the FULL lecture on DVD??? All we get our 4 minute snippets?? Same with Billy's concerts, from what I have heard they are ALL RECORDED!!!! And have been since the 70's!! Just imagine all the concerts he has ever done, and they are all on a recording somewhere!! Guess they are waiting for all his fans to die out before they are released, I just don't know why, everything he's done is almost buried somewhere? I went to Berklee in the mid 70's, all they had were jazz musicians appearing there at the time, the younger generation at Berklee finally got blessed!!:-)
Gotta love that cute little “hello”
Holy shit I've been hearing a TON of Rick Wakeman in Billy Joel's music and now everything makes sense.
Sean Bean yep. Btw one does not simply try to do yes on their albums.
Billy is hilarious.
When i move out of my parents house I'm blaring moving out as I leave.
I can see Liberty calling Billy and A-Hole- "Laughter in the Rain" that was funny!!! I have heard that song too.....thats why its so funny to me...
Love his spot on Jon Anderson imitation. lol
Should be subtitled: “In which Liberty DeVito saved my ass a number of times”.
Only the good die young written as a reggae song - Drumsticks at Billy's head, "The only time you've been to Jamaica is changing trains at the station!"
my daughter Brittany was born in '92, Billy has been a part of my life since the 80s, been a constant tune in the back of my head ever since
Epic Jon Anderson impression.
Just saw him for the first time at Madison Square Garden. Damn. My life is now complete.
I've watched 3 videos in the last 10 minutes of BJ talking about songwriting and in each video he mentions Liberty.
april 1st, 1992, unrelated note: Jeff Porcaro's 38th birthday. another extremely talented musician, god rest his soul
Thankyou.
Hilarious Jon Anderson impression.
I love the Close to the Borderline demo
Cool, although "Laughter in the Rain" is a great song.
I love Billy and have seen him in concert 5 times. I am surprised to hear his attitude towards Laughter In The Rain...Neil Sedaka is a world class songwriter. Too, Neil is still singing this song and others like SOLITAIRE in the same key as 40 years ago...hitting those higher notes with the same crystalline quality...compare to Billy's having to drop1and 1/2 to 2 steps on some of his classics. Of course, I have to remember this class was from early 90's, when Billy was still at the peak of his abilities. Will always love Billy, though.
+1060michaelg ......yes but if you want the same crystlline quality & the song played in the same key?.. then you can always put on the CD play the original!..... Billy is just making it different for people.. I like that!
Neil Sedaka is a very good song writer!... world-class? .. no!.. Jim steinman , Billy Joel there in my opinion world class!! & possibly Paul Heaton from Beautiful South.... laughter in the rain is a lovely song have a lovely sentiment and a catchy tune ......but not the most meaningful believable lyrics... bit of a wishy washy song really... fantastic 4 someone like Cliff Richard or any female Rockstar even a male group it be good 4.....but Bruce Springsteen, Phil Collins, Jon Bon Jovi???... 😕🙈😞?.... it certainly is very catchy Melody and very sweet but yeah it's a bit wishy washy to be fair.... perhaps a bit cheesy . I don't think Billy was knocking him as a songwriter he's not that kind of person... plus like Neil Billy doesn't mind the falling of the rain!!....🎼🎵🎶,. no no no no ee doesn't man falling off the rain.🎵🎵☔🌂
+1060michaelg ......yes but if you want the same crystlline quality & the song played in the same key?.. then you can always put on the CD play the original!..... Billy is just making it different for people.. I like that!
Neil Sedaka is a very good song writer!... world-class? .. no!.. Jim steinman , Billy Joel there in my opinion world class!! & possibly Paul Heaton from Beautiful South.... laughter in the rain is a lovely song have a lovely sentiment and a catchy tune ......but not the most meaningful believable lyrics... bit of a wishy washy song really... fantastic 4 someone like Cliff Richard or any female Rockstar even a male group it be good 4.....but Bruce Springsteen, Phil Collins, Jon Bon Jovi???... 😕🙈😞?.... it certainly is very catchy Melody and very sweet but yeah it's a bit wishy washy to be fair.... perhaps a bit cheesy . I don't think Billy was knocking him as a songwriter he's not that kind of person... plus like Neil Billy doesn't mind the falling of the rain!!....🎼🎵🎶,. no no no no ee doesn't man falling off the rain.🎵🎵☔🌂
+1060michaelg ......yes but if you want the same crystlline quality & the song played in the same key?.. then you can always put on the CD play the original!..... Billy is just making it different for people.. I like that!
Neil Sedaka is a very good song writer!... world-class? .. no!.. Jim steinman , Billy Joel there in my opinion world class!! & possibly Paul Heaton from Beautiful South.... laughter in the rain is a lovely song have a lovely sentiment and a catchy tune ......but not the most meaningful believable lyrics... bit of a wishy washy song really... fantastic 4 someone like Cliff Richard or any female Rockstar even a male group it be good 4.....but Bruce Springsteen, Phil Collins, Jon Bon Jovi???... 😕🙈😞?.... it certainly is very catchy Melody and very sweet but yeah it's a bit wishy washy to be fair.... perhaps a bit cheesy . I don't think Billy was knocking him as a songwriter he's not that kind of person... plus like Neil Billy doesn't mind the falling of the rain!!....🎼🎵🎶,. no no no no ee doesn't man falling off the rain.🎵🎵☔🌂
R Monica man Monica, you may be right, I was over reaching w/world class in regards Neil Sedaka. You get no argument from me with Billy-- He is one of a hand full who can be called one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century. His songs just don't age. I think there is room for wishy washy-- I like a good sappy, sentimental tune when I am of a certain frame of mind. My criteria for a song is: Melody first! If the melody is not there, I won't hear the lyric. I get annoyed at rock purists (not calling you one) who don't think a song is worthy unless it is about kids loitering on the frigging Boulevard (ho hum). And, Oh Yes, MUST HATE DISCO! Why? I think Disco is great. Why can't people dig "The Hustle" and "Don't Fear The Reaper"? Bob Seger, an over rated writer if there ever was one, was the hero of all the macho men who went and blew up disco records in Chicago's Comiskey Park. I just hate that narrowness. Thanks for the great comment!
Was quite a good impression of liberty Devito...pity they fell out years later...
Nch Croy And made up!
We’re not gonna mention the little Mickey Mouse voice impression?😂 0:30
The person asking that sounded like James Lipton.
Lol holy shit no way! :) great video!!
I hope Liberty Devito got a half decent settlement from his lawsuit against Billy Joel. Although he didn't write Billy's songs, here Billy gives two off the cuff examples of how Liberty contributed...
"always start in C yknow, not a lotta bumpy things around" BRO DON'T CALL ME OUT LIKE THAT
Jon Anderson singing Movin Out....I'm not sure I'd want to hear that ;-) (Though to be fair, Billy Joel singing "Going for the One" wouldn't work either)
Hilarious Jon Anderson impression. You can tell Billy has watched YesSongs. 😅
That’s so funny that he wrote a song he hates. I hate everything by the B52s.
bruhhhh sodomy lmao
Anyone else find him pompous and insufferable? Everything is stolen and poorly so. Always so boring and pandering
No.
Not at all...
Daniel Shade Quite the opposite. Original, humble, funny.
He’s honestly one of the most humble guys out there, and even a little self-deprecating at times. Go beyond the stuff that gets played on the radio incessantly.
Well i find you pompous and insufferable with the sound of your comment.