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A Legend Is Born
On May 9, 1949, William Martin Joel was born in New York. Joel's father was a professional classical pianist, and both of his parents pushed Billy to pursue the piano. He began playing when he was four, and by the time he was sixteen, he was showing great ability and had joined his third band. http://www.biography.com/people/billy-joel-9354859
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The Growing Legacy of Billy Joel
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Committing to the Music
After watching the Beatles perform on the Ed Sullivan Show, Joel was convinced that he wanted to pursue a career in music. Billy dropped out of high school and instead put his time into creating his first album, Cold Spring Harbor, released in 1971. Joel moved to Los Angeles, trying to surround himself by positive energy for music. He was hired to be a lounge pianist at the Executive Room. His time spent here would later resurface in Joel's first hit single, Piano Man. http://www.biography.com -
Chart Debut
Piano Man, Joel's first single, was his breakthrough hit. The song was released on November 2, 1973. His now signature song, Piano Man broke through on the charts in April 1974 at #25. Billy Joel's career had truly begun. http://ultimateclassicrock.com/billy-joel-piano-man/ -
Just The Way You Are
Billy Joel's hit "Just The Way You Are" from his 1977 album, The Stranger, won Joel a Grammy in 1977. Joel admitted in his acceptance speech that he almost cut the song from the album. This ballad is one of Joel's most famous and most played songs in his musical history. http://www.axs.com/billy-joel-the-5-most-pivotal-moments-in-his-career-54380 -
52nd Street
One of his most famous albums of all time, Joel released 52nd Street in 1978. The album has sold over 70 million copies, and soared to number one of the charts. The album featured three hits, "My Life", "Big Shot", and "Honesty". http://www.msgnetworks.com/shows/billy-joel-saturdays/timeline.html -
Hitting the Top of the Charts
Joel's debut at the top of the singles chart happened in 1980. The song "It's Still Rock and Roll To Me" was number one on the chart for two weeks, and signified how much control Billy Joel was taking over the music business. http://www.msgnetworks.com/shows/billy-joel-saturdays/timeline.html -
It Takes Two
Ray Charles, one of the men who inspired Joel to pursue a career in music, teamed up with Joel in 1986. Together, the duo teamed up for a track on Joel's album, The Bridge. The result was a lasting duet of "Georgia On My Mind"; a rendition so famous its stood a hit through the evolution of music. http://www.axs.com/billy-joel-the-5-most-pivotal-moments-in-his-career-54380 -
We Didn't Start The Fire
Billy Joel's third number one hit, "We Didn't Start The Fire" was released in 1989. The song features many historical dates and figures, ranging from 1949-1989. Some of them include: Red China, Joe DiMaggio, Marilyn Monroe, Stalin, James Dean, Bob Dylan, and many more. In total, 117 events and people were mentioned. http://www.school-for-champions.com/history/start_fire_facts.htm#.Vt20ApNkiM4 -
Crowned Legend
In 1990, Billy Joel was presented the Grammy Legend Award. This award is given to individuals who show great influence in the recording field, and who are speculated to leaving a lasting impact on the world of music. https://www.grammy.org/recording-academy/awards/legends -
The Legacy Continues
In 2006, Joel set a remarkable record when he sold out 12 consecutive shows at Madison Square Garden. This record earned him a banner to hang from the ceiling in MSG. Apart from the banner, this record helped prove that Joel's legacy is still around. Though he often referred to as a man from the past, his new music and old music will both be around for many years to come. http://www.msgnetworks.com/shows/billy-joel-saturdays/timeline.html
