Billy Joel
Billy Joel, born William Martin Joel on May 9, 1949, in the Bronx, New York, is an acclaimed American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Known as the "Piano Man" after his iconic 1973 hit, Joel has sold over 160 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists globally and the fourth-best-selling solo artist in the United States. Raised in Hicksville, Long Island, Joel began piano lessons at age four. He dropped out of high school to pursue music, joining bands like the Hassles and Attila before embarking on a solo career.
Joel's breakthrough came with his second album, Piano Man (1973), after signing with Columbia Records. His subsequent albums, including The Stranger (1977) and 52nd Street (1978), solidified his status as a pop and rock icon. Joel's music, characterized by its blend of pop, rock, and soul, produced numerous hits such as "Just the Way You Are," "Uptown Girl," and "We Didn’t Start the Fire."
Throughout his career, Joel has received numerous accolades, including the Grammy Legend Award, induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the Kennedy Center Honors. Despite largely retiring from studio recordings after 1993's River of Dreams, Joel remains a major concert draw, notably holding a record-setting residency at Madison Square Garden. His contributions to music have been recognized with prestigious awards like the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
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