I'm just going to sneak in here and say that I don't own any of his stuff. I've never been to see him. But when he comes on the radio (yeah, I listen to radio and certain station that plays him somewhat regularly) I don't think I ever change the station. But on radio, I don't think they do his the variety of his work justice. I think the last video I saw was him inviting a college kid up to play w/ him. The kid was having that moment and didn't let down.
ETA: But my memory of Billy Joel's music: 15,20 yrs. ago I worked in a lumber yard driving Hi-lo. My Hi-Lo had a radio and one year I had a high school kid working w/ me who's dad was a big fan of Billy Joel. The kid was raised on Billy Joel. Every time a Billy Joel song came on we'd be singing along w/ him.
Posts: 7512 | Location: MI | Registered: May 22, 2007
I could count on one hand songs that create an emotional response from me. And, I would have three fingers left over. Goodnight Saigon is one of those songs.
_________________________ OH, Bonnie McMurray!
Posts: 7660 | Location: Pueblo, CO | Registered: July 03, 2005
I've failed to do many things right in my role as a father raising two beautiful daughters. One thing I've done well? Both of mine appreciate Billy Joel's music, not just his popular stuff. If they hear the beginnings of "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant," they'll stop everything and turn it up.
Both learned to drive listening to either a CD or my playlist (depending on the era) which heavily flavored with his music. So now when I hear certain songs of his, they carry layers of memories-those from my teenage years, coupled with the later memories of my girls driving my truck down back roads learning to drive to songs about Brenda and Eddie and the discount rack "like another can of beans."
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"You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving." -Dr. Adrian Rogers
Posts: 6393 | Location: Mogadishu on the Mississippi | Registered: February 26, 2009
My brother had The Stranger on 8-track. I wore it out. I tend to avoid his material now only because I beat it all to death over the decades. My wife is a huge fan. But I'm still firmly in the camp that this man is a superb talent.
"If you’re a leader, you lead the way. Not just on the easy ones; you take the tough ones too…” – MAJ Richard D. Winters (1918-2011), E Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil... Therefore, as tongues of fire lick up straw and as dry grass sinks down in the flames, so their roots will decay and their flowers blow away like dust; for they have rejected the law of the Lord Almighty and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel." - Isaiah 5:20,24
My very favorite and go-to Billy Joel song is this one, which IIRC was never a big hit but I love it. Highland Falls, NY is the town right outside of West Point, NY:
I had a chance to go see him in Germany for the River of Dreams tour in 1994 while in the Army there and I never made it and have kicked myself ever since
Posts: 34973 | Location: Pennsylvania | Registered: November 12, 2007
Billy Joel may have been a New Yorker through and through but it was a DJ in Philly at famed rock station WMMR that started playing this unknown newcomer’s song “Captain Jack” and made him famous. I don’t think many people have ever heard about this:
Joel doesn't play 'Captain Jack' live much, though does save it for Philly shows.
Anybody who likes him should go ahead and try to see him live. I saw him 2 years ago now at one of his MSG shows and he was excellent.
quote:
Originally posted by PASig: Billy Joel may have been a New Yorker through and through but it was a DJ in Philly at famed rock station WMMR that started playing this unknown newcomer’s song “Captain Jack” and made him famous. I don’t think many people have ever heard about this:
I've seen dozens of shows over the years, maybe hundred or more, but never Billy Joel. I'd like to see him live. And I don't even like giant arena shows.
The fish is mute, expressionless. The fish doesn't think because the fish knows everything.
Posts: 53333 | Location: Texas | Registered: February 10, 2004
