Born William Martin Joel on May 9th, 1949, he grew up on Long Island. At the age of four, Billy developed his love for classical music. He received the traditional classical piano training, but soon transformed the material he was taught into "boogie-woogie" renditions. Early influences on his music include Ray Charles (after whom he named his daughter, Alexa Ray), The Beatles, Dave Brubeck, Sam Cooke, the Rolling Stones, and Otis Redding.
Bily Joel joined his first band, the Echoes, at the age of 14. While in junior high school, he had already begun performing professional night jobs to supplement his family's income. Although unable to graduate from high school, (his grades were fine, but he collected too many absences), Billy Joel was well on his way to a rewarding career. Hicksville High School classmates had a chance to reflect on this at their ten year reunion while Billy was on "Saturday Night Live."
So far, Billy Joel has released fifteen albums on the Columbia label. His songs are all original, often based upon his personal experiences growing up on Long Island, his family and traveling on the road. He has given many concerts including the "Bridge Tour" performing sold-out shows even in the former Soviet Union! On June 22nd, 1990, Billy Joel gave what perhaps was one of his most heart-felt concerts of his career at Yankee Stadium in New York City.
Having been born in New York City, and raised on Long Island, I can understand Billy's hometown sentiment. Liberty DeVitto, Billy Joel's drummer, graduated from my high school. We had the same sophomore year English teacher who yelled at us both, although about twenty-five years apart, for banging our drumsticks on our desks. Liberty's Social Studies teacher who told him that he would never make it as a professional musician, was my guidance counselor.
For all of you who have tickets to this lecture, enjoy it! It is sure to be a great time full of words of wisdom from a man who puts a piece of himself into all that he composes, performs, and lives!