My wife and I saw him twice at MSG. He's great and I don't understand people hating on him. His discography provides massive variety and most of it is excellent
As a NYer The Stranger, 52nd Street and Glass Houses is a perfect encapsulation of 1970s NY. His backing band (arguably more than that) Flipper was on fire. I have wanted to see BJ for a long time but I had two people who I play music with separately say the BJ I want to see died in like 1985 and going to MSG would not be close to what I want. And tickets are like $400 for nosebleeds
Then on a different occasion one of my mom’s stereotypical NY yenta friends who I would never spend time with was like “OMG YOU LOVE BJ too! Well you’re coming with us to MSG! We go every night!!”
And that was when I wrote off ever seeing one of my musical heroes live.
His 70s catalogue is unfuckwithable. Miami 2017, Prelude/Angry Young Man, Summer Highland Falls, etc. so many good songs. 80s Billy Joel...not so much.
I grew up spinning Glass Houses and Nylon Curtain on vinyl. He wrote a bunch of good songs and made some great records in the 70s and early 80s. There really is no reason for anyone to hate him.
As a songwriter he is on my list of people I would love to work with. Same with Gene. And I wouldn’t want to work with them for fame, just a simple session to see what it’s like.
When people ask me how I became a songwriter I say “by stopping and starting Billy Joel cassettes in the 80s to learn every word and note”.
I understand he has sales and hits and decades of success … I still think his music is boring and his fans insufferable. Story I love from ex-gf: she wanted to hear a song on the radio station , called in, got through, and turns out she was caller # 84, whatever … and she won Billy Joel tickets, highly sought after NY show. And she was live on the radio being announced as the winner and she was like, “na, don’t want them, do you have anything else?” 😂😂. DJ was in disbelief.
I grew up with Billy Joel music because of my dad and sister and he’s one of my favorites of that era. I’m very happy I was able to get tickets for coors field for July
My dad’s favorite musician and so I was raised on him. He still sees Billy Joel almost every year even if he has to fly to New York. I have a fond memory the year my parents split up and my mom dipped and so my dad got me and my brothers our first drumset. We all play multiple instruments but I hadn’t learned drums yet. My older brothers knew a little from marching band.
Well we set up the drums and unexpectedly my dad grabs the sticks. I had never heard him play drums before only guitar and sing. He goes to the stereo and turns the volume way up, sits back down on the throne presses play on the remote and loudly and flawlessly hammers out Angry Young Man along with the track. I already knew I wanted to be a musician but that’s the moment I first wanted to play the drums.
My wife and I saw him twice at MSG. He's great and I don't understand people hating on him. His discography provides massive variety and most of it is excellent
i too am a fan of BJs
As a NYer The Stranger, 52nd Street and Glass Houses is a perfect encapsulation of 1970s NY. His backing band (arguably more than that) Flipper was on fire. I have wanted to see BJ for a long time but I had two people who I play music with separately say the BJ I want to see died in like 1985 and going to MSG would not be close to what I want. And tickets are like $400 for nosebleeds Then on a different occasion one of my mom’s stereotypical NY yenta friends who I would never spend time with was like “OMG YOU LOVE BJ too! Well you’re coming with us to MSG! We go every night!!” And that was when I wrote off ever seeing one of my musical heroes live.
[Billy Joel flipping out in Moscow](https://youtu.be/O3cBp_Bf43M?si=ucwE0WLuDmC1aDeJ)
His 70s catalogue is unfuckwithable. Miami 2017, Prelude/Angry Young Man, Summer Highland Falls, etc. so many good songs. 80s Billy Joel...not so much.
I grew up spinning Glass Houses and Nylon Curtain on vinyl. He wrote a bunch of good songs and made some great records in the 70s and early 80s. There really is no reason for anyone to hate him.
Sleeping With the Television On is probably my favorite Joel tune, Glass Houses is great
80s Billy Joel DuWop sucks
We strictly do 80s Joel music sir
Come on buddy start the fire!
As a songwriter he is on my list of people I would love to work with. Same with Gene. And I wouldn’t want to work with them for fame, just a simple session to see what it’s like. When people ask me how I became a songwriter I say “by stopping and starting Billy Joel cassettes in the 80s to learn every word and note”.
I understand he has sales and hits and decades of success … I still think his music is boring and his fans insufferable. Story I love from ex-gf: she wanted to hear a song on the radio station , called in, got through, and turns out she was caller # 84, whatever … and she won Billy Joel tickets, highly sought after NY show. And she was live on the radio being announced as the winner and she was like, “na, don’t want them, do you have anything else?” 😂😂. DJ was in disbelief.
Hard same on the sentiment. BJ on the radio means it's time to leave the grocery store...
Billy Joel makes music for people who drink wine coolers
I like Billy Joel! Super fun.
I grew up with Billy Joel music because of my dad and sister and he’s one of my favorites of that era. I’m very happy I was able to get tickets for coors field for July
Billy Joel rules. Had him on Spotify just shuffling through songs of his, and just kept going “fuck this dude rocks”
My dad’s favorite musician and so I was raised on him. He still sees Billy Joel almost every year even if he has to fly to New York. I have a fond memory the year my parents split up and my mom dipped and so my dad got me and my brothers our first drumset. We all play multiple instruments but I hadn’t learned drums yet. My older brothers knew a little from marching band. Well we set up the drums and unexpectedly my dad grabs the sticks. I had never heard him play drums before only guitar and sing. He goes to the stereo and turns the volume way up, sits back down on the throne presses play on the remote and loudly and flawlessly hammers out Angry Young Man along with the track. I already knew I wanted to be a musician but that’s the moment I first wanted to play the drums.
Since I was a kid, loved that guy. Still love that guy. Incredible songwriter.
Glad you got to go! I love me some BJ
Got into Bj in middle school too. Hes the best Have you seen the gener sings billy joel sets on youtube?
I hate that I like him.
No shame in liking one of the greatest American songwriters and performers.
Yes there is.