Billy Joel Talk

Billy Joel Featured in New Graceland Exhibit

The news keeps coming for Billy’s fans. Joel has been giving question-and-answer sessions at a number of colleges throughout the United States, and he pretty much always speaks to audiences that are full to capacity. Even though he has recently revealed that a large-scale concert is not in his immediate fans, he is playing snippets of music throughout the q-and-a sessions, which have been very satisfying to fans who make the journey to see him on campuses.

Now, as reported on his official website, BillyJoel.com, he is also being featured as part of a museum exhibit. This no ordinary museum display. It’s an exhibit at Elvis Presley’s beloved memorial museum, Graceland. The extensive exhibit is called “ICON: The Influence of Elvis Presley, Presented by Fender.” This is the biggest exhibit to open at Graceland this year.

As for Billy Joel’s part in the museum’s celebrity-studded showcase, his famous black aviator jacket is prominently displayed. Other artifacts on display include a jacket from Bob Dylan that he wore for the cover of “Real Live,” Amy Grant’s lyrics from “Heartbreak Hotel” that were written down for her by the songwriter, Katy Perry’s Elvis-inspired outfit that she wore for a performance on “American Idol,” and Elton John’s pink and green two-piece suit.

For Billy Joel fans who want to make the trek to Memphis to see this special exhibit, it is now open and will be up until February 2013.

Billy Joel is Creating a Buzz in North Florida

Billy Joel has widespread appeal to many fans of all ages. His fan base is so diverse that it’s hard to state what his “target audience” would even be categorized as. Recently, he has started expanding on his musical tours to also include question-and-answer tour stops at colleges and universities.

This wasn’t always a likely path for Joel. According to Hank Bordowitz's book, Billy Joel: The Life and Times of an Angry Young Man, the beloved singer was one English credit short of obtaining his high school diploma. The book quotes Billy as referring to the school when he states, “I told them, 'To hell with it. If I'm not going to Columbia University, I'm going to Columbia Records and you don't need a high school diploma over there'."

As a matter of fact, it was Columbia Records who did sign Billy. Also, it seems his attitude toward continuing education has changed quite a lot. He has been granted numerous honorary doctorate degrees despite his one-time status as a high school dropout. Fairfield University granted him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. New York’s Hofstra University gave him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. His other honorary degrees include a Doctor of Music that was granted from Berklee College of Music, another Doctor of Music from Southamption College, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the Manhattan School of Music. He was even granted his high school diploma 25 years after he left the school.

Billy Joel will next been seen on the campus of the University of North Florida. He is going to be sharing with students and others on February 27 at 8 p.m. at the University of North Florida’s Lazarra Theater. Osprey Productions is presenting the program, which is called “Billy Joel: Question and Answers...And a Little Bit of Music.” Yes, as the title implies, it’s mostly a q-and-a session in which Joel will also play a bit of his music in the process of fielding questions from the audience.

The students and professors at University of North Florida are in for a special treat. However, potential audience members should not look up similar events Joel has done in the past in anticipation that they will get the same show. All events that Billy does in the style are completely different as he allows them to be driven by those who are attending, and both the subject matter and musical excerpts change according to the demands and requests of the evening.

Reservation tickets become available to students for free starting at 4:30 p.m. on February 27. An Osprey1Card is essential, and no seat reservations can be sold or given away to others. If staff members, faculty members, or students want extra tickets, they are now available from the University of Florida Box Office. They’re only $15, but each person can only get two extra tickets and again must have an Osprey1Card.

Meet Alexa Ray Joel, Billy Joel's Daughter

Most Billy Joel fans know that the singer just adores his daughter. He beams when speaking of her, and he has had her join in on his projects. How much do you really know about her, though?

Billy’s only child, Alexa Ray Joel, is his pride and joy. Alexa was born to Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley on December 29, 1985. Brinkley is known as a supermodel, and she can be seen in the music video for Billy’s “Uptown Girl.” She is also noted for activism in speaking out against the cruelty toward animals inflicted by circuses like Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey.

With two famous parents, Alexa inevitably faced both extreme privileges and undeniable challenges. She always had a great love of music, and her dad sang nursery rhymes for her on the piano from the time she was very little. Alexa, whose middle name is in honor of one of Billy’s idols, Ray Charles, took classical piano lessons from the age of eleven until she was sixteen. She now cites classical music as the foundation for all other types.

While still in her teens, Joel decided to pursue a singing career herself. Fans of Billy Joel’s music were understandably curious and excited that his daughter has chosen a musical career path as well. While it’s unfair to compare parent and child, many other kids of famous rock stars have chosen to be singers themselves, such as Chloe Lattanzi (daughter of Olivia Newton-John) and Lisa Marie Presley (daughter of Elvis Presley). All artists should be appreciated on their own merits, of course, not for who there parents are.

Alexa has done a lot to establish herself as an independent artist. Her latest single, “Notice Me,” is featured on her official website, AlexaRayJoel.com.

The Story Behind Billy Joel's "Piano Man"

Billy Joel has had so many beloved hit songs that are instantly recognizable that it’s impossible to cite any one song as his “signature” tune. However, when many people hear Joel’s name, they think of his enchanting song, “Piano Man.”

Joel acknowledges the song’s widespread appeal and usually lets the audience sing the chorus during his live concert performances. “Piano Man” is storytelling in song at its best. Although the basis of the song may seem simple, the detail and heart in it is unique, especially for a pop song. The story behind the song is just as telling in many ways.

“Piano Man” is more than just a concept song. It’s actually based on Billy’s own experiences when he worked as a lounge singer and piano player at the Executive Lounge in Los Angeles, California. He had just moved from New York City to Los Angeles, and he was trying to get out of a record deal that he really wanted to leave in favor of signing with Columbia Records. As he was waiting it out, he performed at the lounge under the name of Bill Martin.

When he appeared on “Inside the Actors Studio” in 1999, Billy confessed that all of the characters in the song were based on real people, either his friends or strangers that would come into the lounge. He revealed that his first wife, Elizabeth Weber, was the inspiration for the character of the waitress who was practicing politics. (Joel fans may also know that she was the inspiration for his song, “Just The Way You Are,” which was written as a gift to her.)

The song was considered to be too long at its running time of 5 minutes and 38 seconds. They cut it for a single, but it was later released in its original version on several of his albums. It has often been praised and included in many ways in pop culture. It can be downloaded for the video game “Rock Band 3.” “Rolling Stone” named it as one of the 500 greatest songs of all time.

A Look at Billy Joel's "The Last Play at Shea"

Billy Joel fans are eagerly awaiting the DVD release of his latest film, the unique documentary that’s called “The Last Play at Shea.” Joel’s own Maritime Pictures produced the movie in cooperation with Steve Cohen and Nigel Sinclair. Paul Crowder directed the piece.

The movie, which also features the music of Billy Joel, goes of the beaten path of traditional narrative documentaries, and the results are stellar. Since is world premiere at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City, this little film that could has gotten rave reviews and a large following.

“The Last Play at Shea” looks at the last days of Shea Stadium, which was still beloved by many even as it was winding down as a sports and entertainment stadium. Billy Joel’s humble beginnings, awareness for his own good fortune for his one-of-a-kind career, and unique perspective provide a special narrative that’s guides viewer’s on this emotional, musical odyssey. It’s both a personal journey and a historical documentary, providing lots of fascinating facts on Shea Stadium.

Billy Joel’s large library of music can be enjoyed here. Other musicians featured in the film include Garth Brooks and Tony Bennett. Fans who wants to know more about Joel’s personal life will also be satisfied with the film. Even his daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, who is a singer-songwriter herself, was interviewed for the film. She spoke about the effect of her parents’ (Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley) divorce. Of it, she reveals, “I was heartbroken as any child is, but I wasn’t surprised.”

Although the documentary has yet to be released, Billy Joel’s last concert at Shea Stadium has been released on DVD and CD. It’s available at Amazon and other retailers.

Your Guide to Finding Billy Joel Online

Official Website, Store, Facebook, Twitter, and more!

Like many celebrities these days, Billy Joel has decided to embrace the Internet. There are many ways you can keep track of the man, his career, and his music online without missing a thing. He even has several social media accounts to reach out and communicate with fans. Use this guide to find several pages to bookmark and check in with regularly in order to get up-to-the-minute news straight from Billy and his team.

First of all, you want to check in with his official website, BillyJoel.com. News, videos, multimedia articles, and special offers on his music are just some of the perks offered on this well-designed website. You can even read an in-depth timeline and biography that goes all the way back to the year of Billy's birth, 1949, and continues to the present day. Did you know that he was born in the Bronx, but he grew up in Levittown, Long Island, New York? He has since brought his daughter back to his hometown to show her their roots.

One major thing that fans want to browse on the website if the official Billy Joel Store. From his newest film, "Last Play at Shea," to his concert DVDs and music video compliation DVDs, the store has an extensive DVD collection. It also offers a special box set, his full musical discography, and all kinds of special shirts and apparel.

You can also click "like" on Billy Joel's Facebook Page to get regular status updates on Billy. They'll show up in your news feed alongside the status updates your friends post. At the time of this article's publication, he is just shy of 1,000,000 Facebook fans. Also, "follow" Billy on Twitter for regular updates at his Twitter page, @BillyJoel.

Lastly, don't forget to check in here often. We will do our best to keep you updated on breaking news and fun view of Billy and his esteemed career as it evolves, changes, and brings joy to fans all over the world.

‭A Look at 3 ‬Fun Songs By Billy Joel

Billy Joel has had a very varied career since he became an icon with his rock and roll in the‭ 1970s and ‬1980s.‭ His best-loved and most popular tunes are his exuberant pop-rock from this era. Yes, the songs are fun for dancing and singing along, yet there is also a deeper meaning to them as well.

“It‭’‬s Still Rock and Roll to Me‭” is a hit from 1980 from the album “Glass Houses.” Fans may be amused to know that Billy wrote in in the backseat of a car while he was being driven to a recording session because he didn’t have anything ready for the upcoming session, according to the Top of the Pops 2 Billy Joel Special. It’s upbeat in feel, but the lyrics are scathing look at the music industry from a protagonist who refuses to change who he is to be a rock star.

The song, “Only the Good Die Young,‭”‬ turns that old phrase on its head. Its from Billy’s earlier 1977 album, “The Stranger.” It was controversial in its time, with it being accused of being anti-Catholic, although Billy just claimed that instead it was simply “pro-list.” In the song, a guy tries to corrupt a young girl because he’d rather “laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints.” This ditty does not take itself too seriously, and it will bring to your feet.

“Uptown Girl‭”‬ is a fun one from the 1983 album entitled “An Innocent Man.” It was a huge hit, and the video starred Billy’s soon-to-be wife, Christie Brinkley. However, he later said it was originally written for a previous girlfriend, Elle Macpherson, but that it later became about Christie. It’s about a man going after a woman who is considered to be out of reach. It’s doo-wop beat was influenced by the Motown sound of the early 1960s.