@@jog8483 yep, he's from Long Island, but if you're going to argue that's where he stayed, made his mark, and those are the only people that felt affiliated to his music, style, and attitude... okay.
@@spcoon What are you talking about? He's a worldwide superstar, but he's FROM Long Island. Where did I say he stayed there and made his mark there? Not sure why you're not understanding. No person says he's from the "tri state". You're from one state. Maybe a storm hits the tri state, but you never hear people saying, "I'm from the tri state area". They say precisely where they're from, not a general region. 🤣
I'm 71 years old and I've heard some great music but this is definitely top 10 for me. What an amazing writer, singer and pianist. Thanks for this great reaction.✌
Billy is one of the greats . This live version is perfect, much different than the album version, verrrrrry jazzy. I think I read somewhere that he was doing his best Ray Charles impression while singing this version. He idolizes Ray Charles. Billy named his daughter Alexa Ray after Ray Charles. Also, he does a duet with Ray Charles called Me and My Baby Grand that is just awesome. The live version of that song definitely deserves a spot on your radar for a review Polo. This was a great suggestion. 🔥
The Three Big Fan Favorites: "Piano Man", "New York State of Mind" and "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant" have each been reacted to by dozens of RUclips reactors.
Never listened to much Billy Joel, other than what I heard on Top 10 radio, but Piano Man is one of my all time favorite songs from any genre. I especially love the original music video and hope Polo can react to that instead of a live performance.
Piano man is a true story his record company was ripping him off so he decided to stop recording till his contract ran out,so he he just played in bars.
Whoever first put that Old Grey Whistle Test performance of Billy Joel from 1978 on RUclips is a friggin legend. What a performance it is. Something that should be rediscovered over and over.
Billy Joel is a rabbit hole you should enter.Enjoy the ride. 1)Piano Man 2)Only The Good Die Young. 3)Movin Out. 4)She's Always A Women To Me. 5)You May Be Right. Enjoy the Billy Joel rabbit hole.
EXCELLENT choice! Billy Joel is a musical genius. Gives me chills every time; the NYC references; the “ambiance” of the song; a perfect tribute to NYC. Bronx and Brooklyn raised ❤🗽🗽🗽🗽
@@zippymacadoo6336 Absolutely! I'm a suburbanite now, but right down the road from my house is the bay, and I can still see the NYC skyline; fortunate to never be far from "home" ❤
@@zippymacadoo6336 And to be clear, Billy Joel grew up on LI, so he’s a suburban kid - thus, “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” is totally LI. But like many of us who were born in the city, in his generation, grew up on LI, then moved back to NYC, our major romance is with the city. Of course, he didn’t get priced out of it like I did, but I’ll always be a New Yorker.
Billy Joel is an American treasure. He’s a genius composer/lyricist/storyteller/pianist/vocalist. His live performances are legendary and his catalogue is deep and well worth a deep dive. He is also amazing on harmonica 🌺✌️
Billy Joel is a great singer songwriter & composer from the 70's-90's. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time. His first single was "Piano Man" released in 1973. My favorite album is the "Stranger" album. It has a lot of great songs such as "Just The Way You Are", "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant", "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)", "Only The Good Die Young", "She's Always A Woman" etc.
Some of his best are right there, but since I live in Upstate New York, New York State of mind is easily my favorite with my added bias. Without that bias, it's still top 3 for me
I will say without a doubt Billy Joel has the biggest highs but also the lowest lows. I challenge you to listen to entire albums (other than greatest hits and The Stranger). He has a LOT of realllllly bad and mediocre songs. That being said he has some of the best songs of all times.
@@soocool78 To each his own, soocool78, but I could put on An Innocent Man, 52nd Street, Songs in the Attic, or Piano Man and play it all day long. Back in the 80s, on long road trips with the kids, I often did just that with the old 8-track tapes. The kids didn't complain - they sang along. There is nothing to any of these albums (nor The Stranger) that could possibly be called a "low" IMHO.
Billy Joel is the true King of New York. There isn't a place he can't go. He adds a little Ray Charles to this preformence which only makes it better. When God was passing out talent Billy was at the front of the line.
What a fabulous song to start your Billy Joel journey. This live version is AMAZING! He is a HUGE catalogue of music. Yes, he coined the phrase “New York State of Mind,” which has been used by so many people. Joel is insanely talented. The Billy Joel rabbit hole runs very deep - dive in and enjoy!
Billy is my favorite because he is crazy talented, generous to other musicians and always amazing in concert (never has an opening act - just 3 hours of him and his band). You should check out Billy Joel and his duet with Ray Charles - song, Baby Grand.
Billy's great he also does The song the Entertainer at the Grey whistle which sounds real good too Can't go wrong with any of his music Thanks for the reactions Really enjoying your channel
Grew up on Long Island. He'd show up at bars in the Hamptons and just sit and play and everyone would just start singing along. No one mobbing him. Just like he was one of the crowd. So nice and polite too! Great times! Captain Jack is a favorite!
Billy Joel is a rare talent. Hi s vocals, piano playing, song writing are like no other. He has so many sounds and styles. River of dreams is just one of my favorites. But I can't come close to picking just one. You my be right is another great
What a deeply enthralling, exciting wonderous performance by some of the most gifted musicians in the business. God damn I wish I had been in that audience!!!
Billy Joel is an admitted HUGE fan of Ray Charles. They even performed together. I'm sure he picked up some of that soulful sound by listening to Mr. Charles.
If you listen to a number of his songs back to back, you notice that his voice and the piano mirror the feel of each sing. The Entertainer feels almost like a carnival, there is an innocence at the start of Goodnight, Saigon that graduals turns harsh, bitter, and jaded. He is incredibly talented.
There are a holy trinity of piano playing singer songwriters. For me Billy Joel Elton John / Bernie Taupin and Bruce Hornsby are exactly that Billy’s music and his words will still be being played in generations to come because it’s both timeless and unforgettable.
He's always been a fan of mine but even more since he was the last concert I went to with my mom before she passed... you can close your eyes and pick anything from his catalog and pretty much love it. I also love the fact that he sometimes pulls people from local bands to play with him (at he did in the concert I saw).
Like so many others, this is part of my childhood soundtrack. Long road trips cross country, Billy Joel and The Police tapes in the deck, sunsets in far away places. Man...
I was exposed to Billy when I was a kid. My Mom loved him. My fave album that I still listen to this day is Turnstiles. Its amazing to me. Give the whole album a listen ❤.
As a born and bred New Yorker, Billy Joel was a staple in my household as a kid. And now my kid has grown up with him as well. You should listen to “Good Night Saigon”. New York only smells in the wee hours during the summer right before garbage pickup 😂
I Remember him on Long Island at a piano bar, we had them in the early seventies, ‘Sticks and Stones’ it was called. He had the tip jar on the piano. Yes, I remember Joel before he took off.
Dude I probably comment this a lot...but your reactions are genuine and on point...thanks! Look up "Just the way you are" in this live setting....He kills it! Appreciate you man!
Saw Billy Joel in Lex.,KY and a big storm was passing thru. At the end the lights come on and the announcer says to please stay inside due to high winds and lighting. Billy Joel walks back on stage and says "If your staying I might as well do a few more songs if you don't mind" He sits at the piano and does cover songs for about 30min. "They say its safe now to leave so have a great night ." He got the biggest standing O ever !!!!
"Joel wrote the song after returning to the East Coast from Los Angeles, where he had spent the previous three years. The inspiration for the song came from his pride in returning home to New York. Joel was literally "takin' a Greyhound [bus] on the Hudson River Line [route]" when the idea for the song came to him, and the song was written as soon as Joel arrived home. " (From Wikipedia)
Scenes from an Italian restaurant live from Long Island. So glad you finally got to Billy Joel!!!! Also you obviously have to check out “Piano Man” and also The Stranger and hell about 15 other songs.
Billy was born in the Bronx & his family moved to Long Island when he was one. I see many people have suggested some of his best tunes, but I'd like to add a fun one, showing an ENTIRELY different side of him, called 'Uptown girl'. It's an upbeat fun song & his ex-wife Christy Brinkley is in the video & it pretty much described their relationship in an exaggerated manor. Cute song & video. I love his song 'Vienna' too. His biggest hit is 'Piano man' & that is exactly what he is. LOL
I hadn't heard this performance. This has Ray Charles all over it. Billy Joel is a fabulous musician and has got a kick-ass band behind him. If you haven't yet, check out 'Stiletto', 'Captain Jack', 'Scenes from an Italian Restaurant' and 'The Entertainer'.
Likely you've heard Billy Joel's "Uptown Girl", which is his homage to Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons. Billy Joel began his exposure to the piano at age 4, taking lessons for classical piano. Born in 1949, he grew to love all genres of music, especially rock & roll and R&B. One individual Joel was a massive fan of was Ray Charles. Joel's daughter received the middle name of 'Ray' as a nod to Mr Charles. Joel also wrote a song specifically as a gift to Ray Charles and there is a video on RUclips of Billy Joel and Ray Charles singing it in duet: "Baby Grand". Subsequently, Ray Charles presided over Billy Joel's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999. Billy Joel is also in the Songwriters Hall of Fame (1992), writing in a wide variety of musical genres. There are specific songs that are homages to Doo Wop ("Longest Time") and other 1950s/60s rock and roll, but there are also ballads and love songs, cinematic mixes that change up time signatures and styles, gospel-esque ("River of Dreams") and Latin beats ("Rosalinda's Eyes", "Zanzibar"), even soft country rock ("You're My Home", "Travelin' Prayer"). I haven't even gotten into the real soul-searching song titles. Billy Joel is a GOAT of music, having produced incredible work over the course of decades, much of timeless. And that's even before you hear the anecdotes of his life, his concert policies, and his process. I advise you to dig deep into his song catalog. Take people's recommendations to heart; you won't be disappointed.
Billy Joel's first and biggest hit was Piano Man, an all-time classic. Then there's "She's Always a Woman" and "Just the Way You Are" and "Uptown Girl"
billy joel represented the tri-state unlike anyone else. him, springsteen, sinatra; all memorable and powerful.
He represents Long Island like nobody else as well! HOLLA!!
The piano man!
SORRY!!! He doesn't reepresent the tri-state. He's a Long Islander. Period.
@@jog8483 yep, he's from Long Island, but if you're going to argue that's where he stayed, made his mark, and those are the only people that felt affiliated to his music, style, and attitude... okay.
@@spcoon What are you talking about? He's a worldwide superstar, but he's FROM Long Island. Where did I say he stayed there and made his mark there? Not sure why you're not understanding.
No person says he's from the "tri state". You're from one state. Maybe a storm hits the tri state, but you never hear people saying, "I'm from the tri state area". They say precisely where they're from, not a general region. 🤣
Billy on piano and vocals and Richie Cannata on sax. You can't get much better than that.
I'm 71 years old and I've heard some great music but this is definitely top 10 for me. What an amazing writer, singer and pianist. Thanks for this great reaction.✌
72 here and I agree. Are you related to Joanne Worley, the comedian?
I'd really appreciate to know what are the other 9 of your top-10!
Billy is one of the greats . This live version is perfect, much different than the album version, verrrrrry jazzy. I think I read somewhere that he was doing his best Ray Charles impression while singing this version. He idolizes Ray Charles. Billy named his daughter Alexa Ray after Ray Charles. Also, he does a duet with Ray Charles called Me and My Baby Grand that is just awesome. The live version of that song definitely deserves a spot on your radar for a review Polo. This was a great suggestion. 🔥
Yeah, I noticed that Ray Charles tone right away. Very nice!
He wrote this song for Ray Charles
I was going to mention My Baby Grand too! It’s magical
If you like this piano playing crooner - check out the beautiful and talented Diana Krall covering another Billy Joel classic - Just the Way You Are.
Tony Bennett made this his own too- and they even performed it together!
The Three Big Fan Favorites: "Piano Man", "New York State of Mind" and "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant" have each been reacted to by dozens of RUclips reactors.
I love "Only The Good Die Young" & "NY State Of Mind" (what can I say, I'm a Bklyn gal).
Piano Man & Only the Good Die Young, right there with you both ❤
Never listened to much Billy Joel, other than what I heard on Top 10 radio, but Piano Man is one of my all time favorite songs from any genre. I especially love the original music video and hope Polo can react to that instead of a live performance.
Downeaster Alexa!
I've always loved "Anthony's Song" and "Still Rock n' Roll to Me" the most.
Ray Charles- his idol. This was a tribute to him. ❤
He had an injured left hand on this one - hence the one handed playing. Virtuoso!
Freak that I am, I watch multiple first time watching of the same song over and over. Thank you for experiencing as witness without interjection.
Absolutely one of the best singer songwriters EVER. I am sure it is listed but Piano Man is an absolute must!!!
YES...PIANO MAN...love it!
He Knows that its me they been coming to see lol
@@smarleyjoe3569To forget about life for awhile 🎶
Piano man is a true story his record company was ripping him off so he decided to stop recording till his contract ran out,so he he just played in bars.
Whoever first put that Old Grey Whistle Test performance of Billy Joel from 1978 on RUclips is a friggin legend. What a performance it is. Something that should be rediscovered over and over.
Billy Joel is a rabbit hole you should enter.Enjoy the ride.
1)Piano Man
2)Only The Good Die Young.
3)Movin Out.
4)She's Always A Women To Me.
5)You May Be Right.
Enjoy the Billy Joel rabbit hole.
EXCELLENT choice! Billy Joel is a musical genius. Gives me chills every time; the NYC references; the “ambiance” of the song; a perfect tribute to NYC. Bronx and Brooklyn raised ❤🗽🗽🗽🗽
Hey, the suburbanites love this song too ❤
@@zippymacadoo6336 Absolutely! I'm a suburbanite now, but right down the road from my house is the bay, and I can still see the NYC skyline; fortunate to never be far from "home" ❤
@@zippymacadoo6336 And to be clear, Billy Joel grew up on LI, so he’s a suburban kid - thus, “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” is totally LI. But like many of us who were born in the city, in his generation, grew up on LI, then moved back to NYC, our major romance is with the city. Of course, he didn’t get priced out of it like I did, but I’ll always be a New Yorker.
Billy Joel is an American treasure. He’s a genius composer/lyricist/storyteller/pianist/vocalist. His live performances are legendary and his catalogue is deep and well worth a deep dive. He is also amazing on harmonica 🌺✌️
One of the few ultimate performers out there
Billy Joel is my childhood soundtrack. I adore his music. The albums "the stranger" and "52nd street" are burned into my memory.
Zanzibar is an overlooked gem...just sayin
Mine too ,first saw him in Deeside Leisure Centre , near where I live in Liverpool …..in 79…… I bet he doesn’t remember playing that one 😂😂
@@tonywhitby6881 You're probably correct about his recollection of the song. Liverpool, hey? Lucky you! Greetings from the American Midwest.
@@DanFan2042 I meant the concert sorry not the song ,it was the Glass Houses tour ….. greetings from Liverpool
@@tonywhitby6881 I've heard he used to get pretty buzzed during earlier shows, so I bet that was a lot of fun!
There's nothing more to be said about Billy Joel, he's fantastic!
I'm sooooo excited!!! This is my all time favorite Billy Joel tune!
Billy does it best
Billy Joel is a great singer songwriter & composer from the 70's-90's. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time. His first single was "Piano Man" released in 1973. My favorite album is the "Stranger" album. It has a lot of great songs such as "Just The Way You Are", "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant", "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)", "Only The Good Die Young", "She's Always A Woman" etc.
Some of his best are right there, but since I live in Upstate New York, New York State of mind is easily my favorite with my added bias. Without that bias, it's still top 3 for me
I will say without a doubt Billy Joel has the biggest highs but also the lowest lows. I challenge you to listen to entire albums (other than greatest hits and The Stranger). He has a LOT of realllllly bad and mediocre songs.
That being said he has some of the best songs of all times.
take your pick
Genius. Wonderful, unassuming musician. As powerful as Springsteen, just not as appreciated.
@@soocool78 To each his own, soocool78, but I could put on An Innocent Man, 52nd Street, Songs in the Attic, or Piano Man and play it all day long. Back in the 80s, on long road trips with the kids, I often did just that with the old 8-track tapes. The kids didn't complain - they sang along. There is nothing to any of these albums (nor The Stranger) that could possibly be called a "low" IMHO.
I’m homesick as hell right now 😢 🍎 💙
Billy Joel is the true King of New York. There isn't a place he can't go. He adds a little Ray Charles to this preformence which only makes it better. When God was passing out talent Billy was at the front of the line.
Fabulous Track! My favorite Billy Joel song ❤
What a fabulous song to start your Billy Joel journey. This live version is AMAZING! He is a HUGE catalogue of music. Yes, he coined the phrase “New York State of Mind,” which has been used by so many people. Joel is insanely talented. The Billy Joel rabbit hole runs very deep - dive in and enjoy!
This musicianship was amazing! 🔥
So jealous of you discovering Billy Joel for the first time. Go deep my friend!
Billy sang this on the "Tribute to New York" on TV after 9/11
I wish I was able to see it . National Guard got activated. Heartbroken WTC, 4 evs, .yes We WILL never forget.
I don’t think I heard this version before awesome 👏
Billy is my favorite because he is crazy talented, generous to other musicians and always amazing in concert (never has an opening act - just 3 hours of him and his band). You should check out Billy Joel and his duet with Ray Charles - song, Baby Grand.
Billy's great he also does The song the Entertainer at the Grey whistle which sounds real good too
Can't go wrong with any of his music
Thanks for the reactions
Really enjoying your channel
Love this song of his. There is a video of him letting a music major come up and play this while Billy sings, pretty cool moment.
Scenes From an Italian Restaurant is AMAZING!!
Grew up on Long Island. He'd show up at bars in the Hamptons and just sit and play and everyone would just start singing along. No one mobbing him. Just like he was one of the crowd. So nice and polite too! Great times! Captain Jack is a favorite!
I love his years that his songs were heavy with the piano! Such great musical poetry, he told wonderful stories!❤❤🎶🎵🎹
Billy Joel is a rare talent. Hi s vocals, piano playing, song writing are like no other. He has so many sounds and styles. River of dreams is just one of my favorites. But I can't come close to picking just one. You my be right is another great
Like no other how about Elton John.
My favorite Billy J song of all time!!!
Billy Joel ' Piano Man".... Excellent song!
Blues! Love Joel!
what an incredible talented human being he is....
"movin' out" and "scenes from an Italian restaurant" are absolute must do songs...then hit "piano man."
Incredible pianist, singer, composer, lyricist. Billy Joel is one of the greatest American musicians of the past half decade.
Century
What a deeply enthralling, exciting wonderous performance by some of the most gifted musicians in the business. God damn I wish I had been in that audience!!!
With the glasses and cigarette, he was channeling his hero, Ray Charles.
Billy is an entertainer ❤
Ty for reaction sir! One of the greatest songwriters around. Just a gifted entertainer / storyteller.
He makes me feel sentimental for New York and I’ve only passed through there once.
It brings me joy that newer artists revert back to learn from the past music!
Billy Joel is in a class of his own!
peace
Billy Joel is an admitted HUGE fan of Ray Charles. They even performed together. I'm sure he picked up some of that soulful sound by listening to Mr. Charles.
If you listen to a number of his songs back to back, you notice that his voice and the piano mirror the feel of each sing. The Entertainer feels almost like a carnival, there is an innocence at the start of Goodnight, Saigon that graduals turns harsh, bitter, and jaded. He is incredibly talented.
Billy Joel Legend
Billy Joel is so so good
There are a holy trinity of piano playing singer songwriters. For me Billy Joel Elton John / Bernie Taupin and Bruce Hornsby are exactly that
Billy’s music and his words will still be being played in generations to come because it’s both timeless and unforgettable.
I’d go with Ray Charles, Nina Simone and Little Richard.
I’ve seen dualing piano with Elton John and Billy Joel twice but had never seen this. Thank you so much for this.
This is a great anthem for those of us who live in New York
He's always been a fan of mine but even more since he was the last concert I went to with my mom before she passed... you can close your eyes and pick anything from his catalog and pretty much love it. I also love the fact that he sometimes pulls people from local bands to play with him (at he did in the concert I saw).
Are there any Long Islanders on here? Billy is our homegrown hero.
Like so many others, this is part of my childhood soundtrack. Long road trips cross country, Billy Joel and The Police tapes in the deck, sunsets in far away places. Man...
Billy Joel can pound sand. All hail Liberty Devitto!
Indeed, a jack of all trades and master of all of them.
I was exposed to Billy when I was a kid. My Mom loved him. My fave album that I still listen to this day is Turnstiles. Its amazing to me. Give the whole album a listen ❤.
the show he did after 9/11 .. stands out
My fave billy joel is "This is the time" I love that song so very much!
As a born and bred New Yorker, Billy Joel was a staple in my household as a kid. And now my kid has grown up with him as well.
You should listen to “Good Night Saigon”.
New York only smells in the wee hours during the summer right before garbage pickup 😂
One of my favorite songs ❤❤❤
I saw Billy Live a few years ago and he did Goodnight Saigon and I got the Chills all over again like leaving Iraq the last time
Never been to New York either but Billy Joel takes me there every time! It's a state of mind! Thanks for reaction to such a musical genius!
Polo, Billy's singin about old NYC, pre 9/11
wow...I've never seen/heard this version...he REALLY "schmaltzed" it up big...and did it FLAWLESSLY....thanks for this one
Never been to NY? This song sums it all up perfectly!
billy had 3 no. one hits 13 top 10 hits and his song its still rock and roll to me spent 2 weeks at no. one
Billy Joel is a consummate entertainer. Seeing him perform live is an amazing experience. I have been a fan almost my entire adult life.
Billy played colleges in the early 70’s and would frequently play near me in Buffalo. He was amazing then and only got better!
Greatest city in the World!❤️🤘🏻
You picked an obscure & live version of an incredible classic. Love your reviews 👍🏻
Billy Joel is the real deal
I’m 75 years old and enjoy listening to your reaction to all the groups that I have seen live. I lived in NYC so I had access to all the greats.
I Remember him on Long Island at a piano bar, we had them in the early seventies, ‘Sticks and Stones’ it was called. He had the tip jar on the piano. Yes, I remember Joel before he took off.
It’s why he’s called the piano man! A New York poet ♥️
BILLY JOEL..ENTERTAINER. PERIOD.
New York you hate it a moment later you know it's home 🎉😂
Dude I probably comment this a lot...but your reactions are genuine and on point...thanks! Look up "Just the way you are" in this live setting....He kills it! Appreciate you man!
New York is a wondrous city - and state.
Billy is the GOAT!! One of the greatest artists, lyricists, genius talents of all time!
One of my Favorites.
Saw Billy Joel in Lex.,KY and a big storm was passing thru. At the end the lights come on and the announcer says to please stay inside due to high winds and lighting. Billy Joel walks back on stage and says "If your staying I might as well do a few more songs if you don't mind" He sits at the piano and does cover songs for about 30min. "They say its safe now to leave so have a great night ." He got the biggest standing O ever !!!!
"Joel wrote the song after returning to the East Coast from Los Angeles, where he had spent the previous three years. The inspiration for the song came from his pride in returning home to New York. Joel was literally "takin' a Greyhound [bus] on the Hudson River Line [route]" when the idea for the song came to him, and the song was written as soon as Joel arrived home. " (From Wikipedia)
Scenes from an Italian restaurant live from Long Island.
So glad you finally got to Billy Joel!!!!
Also you obviously have to check out “Piano Man” and also The Stranger and hell about 15 other songs.
beyond crazy
That was fun ❤ peace ✌️ Polo...
NYC is exciting and fascinating. Something interesting for almost everyone. Was only there twice, but it certainly didn't stink😊
Perfect start to Billy Joel's goldmine of talent! Nice reaction!
His best song in my opinion. I absolutely love any version of New York State of Mind. But this is the best bar none.
Billy was born in the Bronx & his family moved to Long Island when he was one. I see many people have suggested some of his best tunes, but I'd like to add a fun one, showing an ENTIRELY different side of him, called 'Uptown girl'. It's an upbeat fun song & his ex-wife Christy Brinkley is in the video & it pretty much described their relationship in an exaggerated manor. Cute song & video. I love his song 'Vienna' too. His biggest hit is 'Piano man' & that is exactly what he is. LOL
Ray Charles vibes in this song. Great stuff.
I hadn't heard this performance. This has Ray Charles all over it. Billy Joel is a fabulous musician and has got a kick-ass band behind him. If you haven't yet, check out 'Stiletto', 'Captain Jack', 'Scenes from an Italian Restaurant' and 'The Entertainer'.
Likely you've heard Billy Joel's "Uptown Girl", which is his homage to Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons.
Billy Joel began his exposure to the piano at age 4, taking lessons for classical piano. Born in 1949, he grew to love all genres of music, especially rock & roll and R&B. One individual Joel was a massive fan of was Ray Charles. Joel's daughter received the middle name of 'Ray' as a nod to Mr Charles. Joel also wrote a song specifically as a gift to Ray Charles and there is a video on RUclips of Billy Joel and Ray Charles singing it in duet: "Baby Grand". Subsequently, Ray Charles presided over Billy Joel's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.
Billy Joel is also in the Songwriters Hall of Fame (1992), writing in a wide variety of musical genres. There are specific songs that are homages to Doo Wop ("Longest Time") and other 1950s/60s rock and roll, but there are also ballads and love songs, cinematic mixes that change up time signatures and styles, gospel-esque ("River of Dreams") and Latin beats ("Rosalinda's Eyes", "Zanzibar"), even soft country rock ("You're My Home", "Travelin' Prayer").
I haven't even gotten into the real soul-searching song titles. Billy Joel is a GOAT of music, having produced incredible work over the course of decades, much of timeless. And that's even before you hear the anecdotes of his life, his concert policies, and his process. I advise you to dig deep into his song catalog. Take people's recommendations to heart; you won't be disappointed.
Hi from NYC!
Same here! Shoutout from Astoria!
Billy Joel's first and biggest hit was Piano Man, an all-time classic. Then there's "She's Always a Woman" and "Just the Way You Are" and "Uptown Girl"
EVERYONE learned the piano back in the day
This guys an Entertainer
As he once wrote he is the entertainer.
I love how you enjoy music.
You can really hear his Ray Charles influence here ❤