Billy Joel


Musician

About

Born
May 09, 1949

Biography

A modern-day bard and legendary "piano man," Billy Joel released some of the most memorable songs of all time. A classically trained pianist, he played with various bands before launching a successful career as a solo artist. For several decades, Joel wrote and recorded countless hit songs inspired by his experiences as a struggling artist in such songs as "Piano Man" (1973), being a pro...

Family & Companions

Trish Bergin
Companion
Born c. 1971; broke up in September of 2000, reconciled in early spring of 2001; no longer together.
Katie Lee
Wife
Began dating in the spring of 2003; engaged as of January 2004; married October 2, 2004 at his Joel's Long Island home.
Elizabeth Weber
Wife
Business manager. Married business manager in 1973; divorced in 1982.
Christie Brinkley
Wife
Model, actress. Married in 1985; mother of Joel's daughter Alexa Ray; divorced in 1994.

Bibliography

"New York State of Mind"
Billy Joel, Scholastic (2005)
"Goodnight My Angel"
Billy Joel, Scholastic (2004)

Biography

A modern-day bard and legendary "piano man," Billy Joel released some of the most memorable songs of all time. A classically trained pianist, he played with various bands before launching a successful career as a solo artist. For several decades, Joel wrote and recorded countless hit songs inspired by his experiences as a struggling artist in such songs as "Piano Man" (1973), being a proud New Yorker with "New York State of Mind" (1976), and a man in love with 1977's "Just the Way You Are." The multiple Grammy Award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee also caught the eye of the world's most beautiful women, most notably his second wife and international supermodel Christie Brinkley, whom he immortalized with the hit single "Uptown Girl" (1983). Not one to rest on his success, Joel often pushed himself creatively and took on ambitious projects throughout his career, whether it was headlining historic concerts in the Soviet Union, releasing an album of classical compositions in 2001, or collaborating on the Tony Award-winning musical "Movin' Out" (2002). With his songs forever ingrained in music history, Joel stood out as a prolific songwriter and entertainer for the ages.

William Martin Joel was born on May 9, 1949 in Bronx, NY and grew up in the suburbs of Long Island. When he was eight, Joel's father, a classical pianist, left the family. His mother struggled to support her two children, but also encouraged Joel to study piano. He played like a pro by the time he was 16; however, Joel was also caught up with getting into trouble as a teen. He joined a street gang and took up boxing, which resulted in a broken nose. Inspired by The Beatles' historic appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" (CBS, 1948-1971), Joel began playing piano for the local cover band the Echoes (which later changed its name to the Lost Souls). In the late-1960s, Joel joined a Long Island group called the Hassle before forming the hard-rock duo Attila, along with Hassles drummer Jonathan Small. Both bands released records that were met with very little commercial success. After releasing its critically panned debut album in 1970, Attila disbanded supposedly due to Joel's affair with Small's wife Elizabeth Weber, whom he eventually married in 1973. Joel discovered his strong suit was in songwriting and released his solo debut Cold Spring Harbor (1971), which barely cracked the Billboard Hot 200 albums chart at No. 158. The album included the original version of the ballad "She's Got a Way," which was re-released as a single in 1981, and "Tomorrow Is Today," a deeply personal track with lyrics derived from an attempted suicide note Joel wrote years prior.

Weighed down by his early attempts at stardom, Joel packed up his bags and moved to Los Angeles, where he found work as a lounge pianist. He took on the pseudonym Bill Martin and played at The Executive Room, a lounge on the city's famed Wilshire Boulevard. Joel immortalized this experience with "Piano Man," written about his failed dreams and the people he met while performing in a no-name piano bar. The single reached peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and would become widely regarded as Joel's signature song. His 1973 album Piano Man, Joel's first with Columbia Records, also yielded the classics "The Ballad of Billy the Kid" and "Captain Jack." The breakthrough success of Piano Man allowed Joel to release more albums throughout the '70s, with his songs inspired by missing home, as in "New York State of Mind" and his growing frustration with the L.A. lifestyle, with "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" (1976). His fifth studio album, The Stranger (1977) - widely regarded by critics as Joel's greatest work - rose up the charts with hit singles such as "She's Always a Woman," "Only the Good Die Young," and "Just the Way You Are," a ballad dedicated to Elizabeth that won the coveted Record of the Year and Song of the Year honors at the 1978 Grammy Awards. Rolling Stone magazine also listed Joel's album The Stranger at No. 67 on its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Despite his success on the charts and onslaught of awards, some critics still considered Joel a novelty pop act rather than a reputable artist. The singer, however, did not take such criticism sitting down and would often rip up printed reviews onstage during his concerts. He finally landed at No. 1 with 52nd Street (1978), an album inspired by his love for Manhattan that won Album of the Year at the 1979 Grammy Awards. Joel further made his mark in music in 1983 with Motown-inspired pop songs; from the No. 1 hit "Tell Her About It," to "Uptown Girl" - widely believed to be his love letter to Sports Illustrated supermodel Christie Brinkley. The singer had begun dating Brinkley after divorcing his wife Elizabeth in 1982 and after having a brief fling with Brinkley's fellow supermodel Elle Macpherson. Joel and Brinkley were married in 1985 to much fanfare, and soon after, their daughter Alexa Ray (named after Joel's idol Ray Charles) was born.

That same year, Joel took part in the benefit single "We Are the World," along with music's biggest names, including Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie and Tina Turner. He made history in 1987 as one of the first U.S. artists to play in the Soviet Union since the Berlin Wall went up over 25 years before. The legendary concerts were featured in the music documentary "Billy Joel: Live in Leningrad" (1987). Joel brought his acting talent to the big screen in 1988 by providing the voice for the character of Dodger, the leader of a canine gang, in Disney's animated film "Oliver & Company" - a performance that earned Joel positive reviews. The singer closed the decade with the 1989 album Storm Front, which yielded another classic, the history-laden track "We Didn't Start the Fire," whose video became an MTV sensation.

In 1991, Joel was honored with the Grammy Legend Award, along with Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash and Quincy Jones. While at the peak of his professional career, Joel's personal life began to take a tumble in the early 1990s. His marriage to Brinkley suffered, which resulted in their divorce in 1993 - a breakup that shocked fans the world over. The split did not stop the singer from featuring Brinkley's painting as the cover art for his 12th studio album River of Dreams. The album topped the Billboard 200 chart and paved the way for a successful U.S. concert tour titled "Face to Face" with fellow piano man Elton John. Joel was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999. Presenting him with the honor was none other than his idol, Ray Charles. In 2004, Joel married his third wife, the much younger TV personality and chef Katie Lee. The singer had battled with depression and alcohol addiction throughout his life, which resulted in numerous rehab attempts, including a month-long stay at California's Betty Ford Center in 2005 and a few automobile accidents that the press surmised resulted from alcohol impairment. Due perhaps in part to his escalating personal issues and some negative press, Joel eased up on recording new material for most of the 2000s, but he continued to tour and even composed classical music. Portions from his classical album Fantasies & Delusions (2001) were used to score the 2002 Broadway musical "Movin' Out," Joel's collaboration with choreographer Twyla Tharp. Featuring his classic hits, "Movin' Out" won numerous theater honors including Best Choreography and Best Orchestrations at the 2003 Tony Awards. In 2007, Joel released his first single in 14 years, "All My Life," which reached No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Singles Sales chart.

By Marc Cuenco

Filmography

 

Cast (Feature Film)

The Love We Make (2011)
Himself
Ultrasuede: In Search of Halston (2010)
Himself
Last Play at Shea (2010)
Oliver & Company (1988)
Voice

Music (Feature Film)

Uncut Gems (2019)
Song Performer
Uncut Gems (2019)
Song
Game Night (2018)
Song
Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot (2018)
Song
Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot (2018)
Song Performer
Game Night (2018)
Song Performer
The Edge of Seventeen (2016)
Song Performer
The Edge of Seventeen (2016)
Song
The Kitchen Sink (2015)
Song
Trainwreck (2015)
Song
Trainwreck (2015)
Song Performer
Black or White (2014)
Song Performer
Black or White (2014)
Song
Cake (2014)
Song
Cake (2014)
Song Performer
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Song
The Hangover Part III (2013)
Song
The Hangover Part III (2013)
Song Performer
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Song Performer
The Five-Year Engagement (2012)
Song
The Hangover Part II (2011)
Song Performer
Just Go with It (2011)
Song
The Hangover Part II (2011)
Song
New in Town (2009)
Song Performer
Step Brothers (2008)
Song
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008)
Song
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008)
Song Performer
Happy Endings (2005)
Song
The Ringer (2005)
Song
13 Going on 30 (2004)
Song Performer
13 Going on 30 (2004)
Song
Out Cold (2001)
Song
Runaway Bride (1999)
Song Performer
Summer, Highland Falls (1999)
Song Performer
Summer, Highland Falls (1999)
Song
Honeymoon In Vegas (1992)
Song Performer
Mortal Thoughts (1991)
Song
Mortal Thoughts (1991)
Song Performer
Ruthless People (1986)
Song Performer
Ruthless People (1986)
Song
Easy Money (1983)
Song
Easy Money (1983)
Song Performer
Easy Money (1983)
Music Composer
Star 80 (1983)
Song
Star 80 (1983)
Song Performer
Betty Blokk-Buster Follies (1976)
Songs

Misc. Crew (Feature Film)

The Love We Make (2011)
Other
Ultrasuede: In Search of Halston (2010)
Other

Cast (Special)

2003 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony (2003)
The 34th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards (2003)
The 57th Annual Tony Awards (2003)
Billy Joel: In His Own Words (2001)
America: A Tribute to Heroes (2001)
The Concert For New York City (2001)
An All Star Tribute to Brian Wilson (2001)
The Rhythm of Life (2000)
Elton John: Greatest Hits Live! One Night Only (2000)
100 Greatest Songs of Rock & Roll (2000)
Piano Grand! A Smithsonian Celebration (2000)
Host
The 42nd Annual Grammy Awards (2000)
Presenter
Billboard 40 Top Forty Singles (1959-1998) (1999)
Interviewee
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Class of '99 (1999)
Performer
Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Primetime Special (1999)
ABC 2000 (1999)
The 26th Annual American Music Awards (1999)
Performer
Tony Bennett: An All-Star Tribute -- Live By Request (1998)
Intimate Portrait: Christie Brinkley (1998)
Garth Live From Central Park (1997)
1994 Billboard Music Awards (1994)
The Power of Dreams (1994)
Billy Joel From the River of Dreams (1994)
The 36th Annual Grammy Awards (1994)
Performer
The 1994 World Music Awards (1994)
Performer
Spring Break Rave (1993)
Together For Our Children -- M.U.S.I.C. (1993)
Billy Joel: Shades of Grey (1993)
Simply Mad About the Mouse (1992)
Howie (1992)
Ray Charles: The Genius of Soul (1992)
Billy Joel Live at Yankee Stadium (1991)
An American Saturday Night (1991)
Tribute to John Lennon (1990)
Late Night With David Letterman Eighth Anniversary Special (1990)
Grammy Legends Show (1990)
The 2nd International Rock Awards (1990)
Performer
The 32nd Annual Grammy Awards (1990)
Performer
Save the Planet: A CBS/Hard Rock Cafe Special (1990)
Billy Joel Rockumentary (1990)
Late Night With David Letterman Sixth Anniversary Show (1988)
A Matter of Trust: Billy Joel in the USSR (1988)
Performer
The 30th Annual Grammy Awards (1988)
Performer
Billy Joel From Leningrad, USSR (1987)
The Best of Farm Aid: An American Event (1986)
Billy Joel -- A TV First (1983)
Host

Music (Special)

The 34th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards (2003)
Song Performer
An All Star Tribute to Brian Wilson (2001)
Song Performer
Billy Joel: In His Own Words (2001)
Songs
Billy Joel: In His Own Words (2001)
Song Performer
Piano Grand! A Smithsonian Celebration (2000)
Music ("Fantasie" "Baby Grand")
Elton John: Greatest Hits Live! One Night Only (2000)
Song Performer
Grammy's Greatest Performances (1999)
Song Performer ("We Didn'T Start The Fire")
Robert Wells, Swedish King of the Keyboard (1998)
Music
"We Are the World": A 10th Anniversary Tribute (1995)
Song Performer
Billy Joel From the River of Dreams (1994)
Song Performer
Billy Joel: Shades of Grey (1993)
Song Performer
Simply Mad About the Mouse (1992)
Song Performer
Billy Joel Live at Yankee Stadium (1991)
Song Performer ("The Downeaster Alexa" "I Go To Extremes" "We Didn'T Start The Fire" "That'S Not Her Style" "New York State Of Mind" "Pressure" "A Matter Of Trust" "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant")
The Dream Is Alive: The 20th Anniversary Celebration of Walt Disney World (1991)
Song Performer
Grammy Legends Show (1990)
Song Performer
Billy Joel Rockumentary (1990)
Song Performer ("We Didn'T Start The Fire")
The 32nd Annual Grammy Awards (1990)
Song Performer
Tribute to John Lennon (1990)
Song Performer
Bob Hope's USO Road to the Berlin Wall and Moscow (1990)
Song
Billy Joel Rockumentary (1990)
Song
Super Bowl XXIII (1989)
Song Performer ("National Anthem")
A Matter of Trust: Billy Joel in the USSR (1988)
Song
The 30th Annual Grammy Awards (1988)
Song Performer
The 30th Annual Grammy Awards (1988)
Song
A Matter of Trust: Billy Joel in the USSR (1988)
Music
A Matter of Trust: Billy Joel in the USSR (1988)
Song Performer
The Best of Farm Aid: An American Event (1986)
Song Performer ("Only The Good Die Young")

Misc. Crew (Special)

Billy Joel: In His Own Words (2001)
Pianist
Piano Grand! A Smithsonian Celebration (2000)
Pianist ("Baby Grand")

Life Events

Family

Alexa Ray Joel
Daughter
Born c. 1985; mother is Christie Brinkley.

Companions

Trish Bergin
Companion
Born c. 1971; broke up in September of 2000, reconciled in early spring of 2001; no longer together.
Katie Lee
Wife
Began dating in the spring of 2003; engaged as of January 2004; married October 2, 2004 at his Joel's Long Island home.
Elizabeth Weber
Wife
Business manager. Married business manager in 1973; divorced in 1982.
Christie Brinkley
Wife
Model, actress. Married in 1985; mother of Joel's daughter Alexa Ray; divorced in 1994.

Bibliography

"New York State of Mind"
Billy Joel, Scholastic (2005)
"Goodnight My Angel"
Billy Joel, Scholastic (2004)