Billy Joel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Billy Joel
Joel in 2009
Born	William Martin Joel (1949-05-09) May 9, 1949 (age 76) New York City, U.S.
Occupation	Singer songwriter pianist
Years active	1965–present
Spouse(s)	Elizabeth Weber Small ​ ​ (m. 1973; div. 1982)​ Christie Brinkley ​ ​ (m. 1985; div. 1994)​ Katie Lee ​ ​ (m. 2004; div. 2009)​ Alexis Roderick ​ (m. 2015)​
Children	3, including Alexa Ray
Relatives	Alexander Joel (half-brother) Karl Amson Joel (grandfather)
Musical career
Origin	Hicksville, New York, U.S.
Genres	Rock soft rock pop rock
Instruments	Vocals piano harmonica
Labels	Columbia Family Productions Sony Classical
Signature

William Martin Joel (born May 9, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is often called the "Piano Man" after his famous 1973 song. Billy Joel has had a very successful solo career since the 1970s.

Between 1971 and 1993, he released 12 studio albums with pop and rock music. In 2001, he also released an album of classical music. Billy Joel has sold over 160 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists ever. He is also the fourth-best-selling solo artist in the United States. His 1985 album, Greatest Hits – Volume I & Volume II, is one of the top-selling albums in the U.S.

Joel was born in the Bronx, New York City, and grew up on Long Island. He started piano lessons because his mother wanted him to. After leaving high school to focus on music, he joined two bands, the Hassles and Attila. Then, he signed a record deal and released his first solo album, Cold Spring Harbor (1971).

In 1972, a live radio performance of his song "Captain Jack" became popular in Philadelphia. This led to him signing with Columbia Records. He then released his second album, Piano Man (1973). After Streetlife Serenade (1974) and Turnstiles (1976), Billy Joel became very famous with his album The Stranger (1977). This album sold over 10 million copies and included hit songs like "Just the Way You Are" and "Only the Good Die Young".

52nd Street (1978) was his first album to reach number one on the Billboard 200 chart. Glass Houses (1980) showed his rock side, with "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" becoming his first number-one single. An Innocent Man (1983) was a tribute to 1950s music styles like rhythm and blues and doo-wop. It featured popular songs such as "Tell Her About It" and "Uptown Girl".

After his 1993 album River of Dreams, he mostly stopped making new studio albums. However, he released Fantasies & Delusions (2001), which had classical music he composed. In 1988, he voiced the character Dodger in the Disney animated film Oliver & Company and sang "Why Should I Worry?". In 2024, he released a new pop single called “Turn the Lights Back On”.

Billy Joel has toured all over the world. In 1987, he was one of the first rock artists to tour the Soviet Union. He has had 33 songs reach the Top 40 in the U.S., with three of them ("It's Still Rock and Roll to Me", "Tell Her About It", and "We Didn't Start the Fire") reaching number one. He has won 6 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for 52nd Street. He was honored in the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999. In 2013, he received the Kennedy Center Honors.

Early Life and Family

William Martin Joel was born in the Bronx, New York, on May 9, 1949. When he was one year old, his family moved to Hicksville, a suburb on Long Island.

His father, Howard Joel, was a classical pianist and businessman from Germany. His family had to leave Germany to escape the Nazi regime. Billy's mother, Rosalind, was born in Brooklyn, New York, to parents who came from England. His parents met in New York in the late 1930s.

After his parents divorced in 1957, his father moved to Europe. Billy Joel has a half-brother, Alexander Joel, who became a classical conductor in Europe.

Billy Joel started piano lessons at age four, even though he didn't want to. He also tried boxing as a teenager to defend himself. He won 22 matches but stopped after breaking his nose.

He attended Hicksville High School but didn't graduate with his class in 1967. He was playing piano at night to help his family and missed an important English exam. Instead of going to summer school, he decided to pursue music. He famously said, "If I'm not going to Columbia University, I'm going to Columbia Records." In 1992, he finally received his high school diploma after submitting essays to the school board.

Music Career Highlights

Starting Out (1964–1970)

Billy Joel was inspired by early rock and roll artists like The Beatles and Elvis Presley. After seeing The Beatles on TV, he decided to become a musician. He said that watching them made him feel like he could be a rock star too.

At 16, he joined a band called the Echoes, which played songs by British bands. He even played on a demo for "Leader of the Pack", a hit song for the Shangri-Las. The Echoes later changed their name to the Lost Souls. In 1967, Joel joined the Hassles, who released two albums that weren't very successful. In 1969, Joel and drummer Jon Small formed a duo called Attila, releasing one album in 1970.

Early Solo Albums (1970–1974)

Joel in 1972

Billy Joel signed with Family Productions and recorded his first solo album, Cold Spring Harbor (1971). The album had some technical issues, which made it less successful. However, songs like "She's Got a Way" and "Everybody Loves You Now" from this album later became popular when released as live versions.

In 1972, a live recording of his song "Captain Jack" became a hit on East Coast radio. This led to him signing with Columbia Records. He then moved to Los Angeles and worked at a piano bar under the name "Bill Martin." During this time, he wrote his famous song "Piano Man" about the people he met there.

His first album with Columbia was Piano Man, released in 1973. The title song became his signature tune, which he plays at almost every concert. His band changed, and he toured a lot in the U.S. and Canada.

Growing Success (1974–1977)

In 1974, Joel recorded Streetlife Serenade. This album included "The Entertainer", which was a sarcastic song about how his hit "Piano Man" was cut short for radio. Even though critics didn't love Streetlife Serenade, it had other notable songs like "Los Angelenos."

Feeling unhappy in Los Angeles, Joel moved back to New York City in 1975. He then recorded Turnstiles, which was the first album he made with his touring band. He produced this album himself.

"Say Goodbye to Hollywood" was a small hit from Turnstiles. Another well-known song from the album is "New York State of Mind", which many other artists have covered.

Breakthrough Albums (1977–1979)

Billy Joel started working with producer Phil Ramone, who helped him create many successful albums. Their first collaboration, The Stranger (1977), was a huge success. It had four Top 25 hits: "Just the Way You Are", "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)", "Only the Good Die Young", and "She's Always a Woman". The Stranger became Columbia Records' best-selling album at the time.

"Just the Way You Are" won two Grammy awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Rolling Stone magazine later ranked The Stranger as one of the greatest albums ever.

In 1978, he released 52nd Street, named after a street in Manhattan where Columbia Records had its headquarters. This album sold over seven million copies and reached number one on the charts. It included hits like "My Life" and "Big Shot". 52nd Street also won Grammy awards for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male and Album of the Year.

In 1979, Billy Joel performed at the Havana Jam festival in Cuba, alongside many famous musicians. 52nd Street was also the first album ever released on the new compact disc format in 1982.

Rock and Ambitious Music (1979–1983)

Some critics called Billy Joel a "balladeer" or "soft rocker" because of his slower songs. With his album Glass Houses (1980), he wanted to show he could rock harder. The album cover even shows him about to throw a rock at a glass house, a reference to the saying "people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones."

Glass Houses was number one on the Billboard chart for six weeks. It featured "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me", which became his first number-one single. The album won a Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male.

His next album, Songs in the Attic (1981), was a collection of live performances of his lesser-known early songs. This album helped new fans discover his older music.

Joel in 1983

Billy Joel's next studio album was The Nylon Curtain (1982). He wanted to write more meaningful songs about the American Dream and changes in American society. He also spent a lot of time in the studio to make the album sound perfect. Production was briefly delayed when he had a motorcycle accident in April 1982, injuring his hands.

The Nylon Curtain reached number 7 on the charts, thanks to music videos for songs like "Allentown" and "Pressure" played on MTV.

1980s Hits and Soviet Tour (1983–1988)

Joel's album An Innocent Man (1983) was a lighter album, paying tribute to the R&B and doo wop music he grew up with. It gave him his second number-one hit, "Tell Her About It". The album also had six top-30 singles, including "Uptown Girl" and "The Longest Time".

The music video for "Uptown Girl" featured model Christie Brinkley, who later became his wife. An Innocent Man was nominated for a Grammy for Album of the Year.

In 1985, Billy Joel released Greatest Hits Vol. 1 and 2, which included his most successful songs and two new ones, "You're Only Human (Second Wind)" and "The Night Is Still Young". This album sold over 11.5 million copies and is one of the best-selling albums in U.S. music history.

His next album, The Bridge (1986), had hits like "A Matter of Trust" and "Modern Woman". In the video for "A Matter of Trust", Joel played a guitar instead of his usual piano.

In 1987, Billy Joel and his band made a historic trip to the Soviet Union. They performed live concerts in Moscow, Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), and Tbilisi. This was one of the first fully staged pop rock shows in the Soviet Union. The concerts were broadcast on radio around the world. An album of the tour, КОНЦЕРТ (Russian for "Concert"), was released in 1987.

Later Studio Albums (1988–1993)

Joel in 1994

Joel playing guitar in 1994

In 1988, Billy Joel voiced the character Dodger in the Disney animated film Oliver & Company. His character's design was even based on Joel's look at the time.

His album Storm Front (1989) brought big changes to his career. He worked with a new producer, Mick Jones of Foreigner, and changed his backing band. The first single, "We Didn't Start the Fire", became his third number-one hit in the U.S. Storm Front was his first number-one album in nine years.

Other notable songs from Storm Front include "I Go to Extremes", "Leningrad" (about a clown he met in the Soviet Union), and "The Downeaster Alexa" (about fishermen on Long Island).

In 1992, Joel started working on River of Dreams, which was released in 1993. The album's cover art was a colorful painting by his then-wife, Christie Brinkley. The title song, "The River of Dreams", was his last Top 10 hit. The album also included "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)", which he wrote for his daughter, Alexa.

Touring and New Songs (1994–2013)

Joel performing in June 1994

Starting in 1994, Billy Joel toured extensively with Elton John on their "Face to Face" tours. They played their own songs, sang each other's songs, and performed duets. These tours were very successful and continued for many years.

Joel performing at Madison Square Garden, c. 1995

In 1999, Billy Joel was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Ray Charles, one of his musical heroes, gave the induction speech. On December 31, 1999, Joel performed a long concert at New York's Madison Square Garden to celebrate the new millennium.

In 2001, he released Fantasies & Delusions, an album of classical piano pieces he composed. He often uses parts of these pieces in his live shows. He also performed at benefit concerts after the September 11 attacks, including America: A Tribute to Heroes and the Concert for New York City.

In 2006, Joel began a tour across the U.S., including an amazing 12 sold-out concerts at Madison Square Garden. This broke a record previously held by Bruce Springsteen. The arena even retired the number 12 in his honor, making him the first non-athlete to receive this. A live album, 12 Gardens Live, was released from these shows.

He released a new song, "All My Life", in 2007. On December 1, 2007, he premiered another new song, "Christmas in Fallujah", which was dedicated to soldiers in Iraq.

Joel performing in Jacksonville, Florida in February 2007

In 2008, Billy Joel played the final concerts at Shea Stadium before it was torn down. Many famous guests joined him, including Paul McCartney. These concerts were featured in the 2010 documentary film Last Play at Shea.

In 2012, Joel signed a new publishing agreement to help his music be used more in movies, TV shows, and commercials. On December 12, 2012, he performed at 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief at Madison Square Garden, helping victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Madison Square Garden Residency (2014–Present)

Joel performing at Madison Square Garden in April 2016

In 2014, Billy Joel announced a special concert residency at Madison Square Garden, where he would play one concert a month indefinitely. This residency has continued for many years. He also played the final concert at Nassau Coliseum before its renovation and the first concert there after it reopened.

Joel at Madison Square Garden in June 2019

In 2019, he played the first-ever concert at Camden Yards, a baseball stadium. Many of his concerts were postponed between 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Joel performing at a British Summer Time concert in Hyde Park in July 2023

In 2023, Billy Joel announced that his long-running Madison Square Garden residency would end in July 2024. On January 22, 2024, he announced his first new pop single in years, "Turn the Lights Back On", which was released on February 1.

Other Activities

In 1996, Billy Joel combined his love for boating with a new business. He started the Long Island Boat Company with Peter Needham. In 2010, he opened a shop in Oyster Bay, Long Island, to make custom-made motorcycles.

In 2011, Joel decided not to publish an autobiography he had been working on. He explained that he wasn't interested in talking about the past and that his music was the best way to express his life.

Personal Life

Marriages and Family

Joel's eldest daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, born to Joel and Christie Brinkley in 1985

Billy Joel's first wife was Elizabeth Weber Small. They married in 1973 and divorced in 1982.

He married model Christie Brinkley in March 1985. Their daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, was born in December 1985. Alexa's middle name, Ray, was chosen after Ray Charles, one of Billy Joel's favorite musicians. Joel and Brinkley divorced in 1994 but remained friends.

On October 2, 2004, Joel married chef Katie Lee. She was 23 and he was 55. His daughter, Alexa Ray, was the maid of honor. They separated in 2009.

On July 4, 2015, Billy Joel married Alexis Roderick, an equestrian. He was 66 and she was 33. They have two daughters, Della Rose (born 2015) and Remy Anne (born 2017).

Billy Joel owns homes on Long Island and in Florida. In 2023, he put his Oyster Bay estate on the market. His two younger daughters attend school in Florida, where the family now lives.

Health

Billy Joel has openly discussed his struggles with depression over the years.

Politics

Billy Joel has given money to Democratic political candidates, but he doesn't usually publicly support politicians. He believes that people who buy tickets to his concerts don't want to hear about his political choices.

In 2016, after a misunderstanding about his support for a political candidate, Joel stated that he would be voting for Hillary Clinton.

Tours

Tours

• Cold Spring Harbor Tour (1972)
• Turnstiles Tour (1976)
• The Stranger Tour (1977)
• 52nd Street Tour (1978)
• The Nylon Curtain Tour (1981)
• An Innocent Man Tour (1984)
• The Bridge Tour (1986–87)
• Storm Front Tour (1989–91)
• River of Dreams Tour (1993–95)
• Face To Face 1994 Tour (1994)
• Face To Face 1995 Tour (1995)
• An Evening of Questions and Answers (1996)
• Face To Face 1998 Tour (1998)
• Face To Face 2001 Tour (2001)
• Face To Face 2002 Tour (2002)
• Face To Face 2003 Tour (2003)
• 2006 Tour (2006)
• 2007 Tour (2007)
• 2008 Tour (2008)
• Face To Face 2009 Tour (2009)
• Face To Face 2010 Tour (2010)
• Billy Joel in Concert (2014–)
• Two Icons - One Night (2023)
• Two Icons - One Night (2024)

Residency

• Billy Joel At The Garden (2014–2024)

Discography

Awards and Achievements

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and his wife Teresa Heinz Kerry with the 2013 Kennedy Center Honors recipients (left to right): Shirley MacLaine, Martina Arroyo, Billy Joel, Carlos Santana, and Herbie Hancock

Joel receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Syracuse University in 2006

Billy Joel received his high school diploma 25 years after he was supposed to graduate. He has also received many honorary doctorates from different universities.

In 1999, Billy Joel was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by his musical inspiration, Ray Charles.

He was named MusiCares Person of the Year in 2002, an award given during the Grammy Awards. Many artists performed his songs to honor him.

Billy Joel has won five Grammys, including Album of the Year for 52nd Street and Song of the Year and Record of the Year for "Just the Way You Are".

In 1993, he was the second entertainer to be inducted into the Madison Square Garden Walk of Fame. In 2004, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was also inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2006.

Billy Joel is the only performing artist to have played at both Yankee and Shea Stadiums, as well as Giants Stadium, Madison Square Garden, and Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. He has banners honoring his many sold-out shows in several arenas.

A banner at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, commemorating Joel's 48 consecutive sold-out concerts at the Philadelphia venue as of 2008

Rolling Stone magazine included his albums The Stranger and 52nd Street on their list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. His song "Piano Man" was also on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

In 2011, Billy Joel became the first non-classical musician to have his portrait displayed in Steinway Hall. In 2013, he received the Kennedy Center Honors, a top award for influencing American culture through the arts.

In 2014, the Library of Congress announced that Joel would receive the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. In 2018, the Governor of New York declared July 18 as Billy Joel Day to celebrate his 100th performance at Madison Square Garden. In 2023, a street in his hometown of Oyster Bay was renamed "Billy Joel Way."

In 2024, CBS broadcast a special concert to celebrate his 100th performance at Madison Square Garden. He was also honored on "The Masked Singer Season 11," where contestants sang his songs.

Awards and Nominations

Images for kids

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  Billy Joel's signature

See also

In Spanish: Billy Joel para niños

• Billy Joel Band
• List of best-selling music artists
• List of highest-grossing live music artists