History of Billy Joel in Timeline

Billy Joel, the "Piano Man," is a highly successful American singer-songwriter and pianist. He launched his solo career in the 1970s, releasing 12 studio albums (1971-1993) in the pop and rock genres, and a classical album in 2001. He has sold over 160 million records globally, making him one of the best-selling music artists and the fourth-best-selling solo artist in the United States. His 1985 compilation album, Greatest Hits – Volume I & Volume II, is a best-selling album in the U.S.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1922: Rosalind Nyman's birth

In 1922, Rosalind Nyman, Billy Joel's mother, was born in Brooklyn to Jewish parents.

1923: Howard Joel's Birth

In 1923, Howard (Helmut) Joel, Billy Joel's father, was born in Nuremberg, Germany.

May 9, 1949: Birth of William Martin Joel

On May 9, 1949, William Martin Joel, later known as Billy Joel, was born. He is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist.

1957: Divorce of Billy Joel's parents

In 1957, Rosalind and Howard Joel, Billy Joel's parents, divorced, after which Howard returned to Europe.

1964: Session Work on Shangri-Las Recording

In 1964, Billy Joel states he played on a recording of the Shangri-Las' "Remember (Walking in the Sand)", marking one of his early musical contributions.

1965: Recordings with the Echoes

In 1965, The Echoes began recording, and Billy Joel played piano on several records released through Kama Sutra Productions and recordings produced by Shadow Morton.

1965: Echoes change name

In late 1965, the Echoes changed their name to the Emeralds, and then to the Lost Souls.

1967: Joel's Missed Graduation

In 1967, Billy Joel did not graduate with his class at Hicksville High School, due to missed exams as he was playing at a piano bar to help support himself and his family.

1967: Joel Joins the Hassles

In 1967, Billy Joel left the Lost Souls to join the Hassles, a Long Island group signed with United Artists Records.

1969: Formation of Attila

In 1969, Billy Joel and drummer Jon Small left the Hassles to form the duo Attila.

July 1970: Release of Attila's Debut Album

In July 1970, Attila, the duo formed by Billy Joel and Jon Small, released their eponymous debut album.

1970: Suicide Attempt and Hospitalization

In 1970, a career decline and personal tragedies led Billy Joel to a depressive period and a suicide attempt by drinking furniture polish, resulting in hospitalization and treatment for depression.

1971: Start of Solo Career

In 1971, Billy Joel began his solo career, marking a significant turning point in his musical journey.

1971: Debut Album Release

In 1971, Billy Joel released his debut album, Cold Spring Harbor, marking the beginning of his solo career after short stints with the Hassles and Attila.

1971: Cold Spring Harbor Tour Begins

In the fall of 1971, Billy Joel began his Cold Spring Harbor tour throughout the mainland United States and Puerto Rico, opening for various artists and gaining interest in his music.

1972: Signing with Columbia Records and move to Los Angeles

During the spring of 1972, Billy Joel signed a recording contract with Columbia Records and moved to Los Angeles after radio station WMMR-FM began playing "Captain Jack".

1972: Signing with Columbia Records

In 1972, Billy Joel caught the attention of Columbia Records after a live radio performance of "Captain Jack," leading to a new record deal with the company.

1973: Marriage to Elizabeth Weber

In 1973, Billy Joel married Elizabeth Weber, who subsequently became his manager.

1973: Release of "Piano Man"

In 1973, Billy Joel released "Piano Man", his signature song, which would later give him his nickname and contribute to his successful career.

1974: Recording of Streetlife Serenade

In 1974, Billy Joel recorded his second Columbia album, Streetlife Serenade, in Los Angeles, containing references to suburbia and the inner city.

1974: Helen Reddy records "You're My Home"

In 1974, Helen Reddy recorded the Piano Man track "You're My Home", bringing more attention to Joel's songwriting.

1975: Return to New York City

In 1975, Billy Joel returned to New York City after becoming disenchanted with Los Angeles.

1975: Session work on Bo Diddley album

In late 1975, Billy Joel played piano and organ on several tracks on Bo Diddley's album The 20th Anniversary of Rock 'n' Roll.

1976: Recording of Turnstiles

In 1976, Billy Joel recorded Turnstiles, the first album he recorded with the musicians with whom he toured.

1977: The Stranger's breakthrough success

In 1977, "The Stranger" became a breakthrough album for Billy Joel, introducing many fans to his earlier compositions.

1977: Release of The Stranger

In 1977, Billy Joel achieved critical and commercial success with the release of The Stranger, which became Columbia's best-selling release.

1977: Greatest Hits Compilation Video Album

In 1977, alongside the release of his Greatest Hits album, Billy Joel released a two-volume Video Album, compiling promotional videos he had recorded since 1977. He also recorded a new video for "Piano Man".

1978: Release of "52nd Street"

In 1978, Billy Joel released "52nd Street", which sold over seven million copies and reached number one on the charts with hits like "My Life", "Big Shot", and "Honesty".

1979: Havana Jam Festival Performance

In 1979, Billy Joel traveled to Havana, Cuba, to participate in the Havana Jam festival alongside various artists. His performance was documented in "Havana Jam '79".

May 1980: "You May Be Right" Hit

In May 1980, "You May Be Right" reached No. 7 on the Billboard chart.

July 1980: "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" Number One Hit

In July 1980, "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" became Billy Joel's first Billboard number-one single.

July 1980: Live recordings for Songs in the Attic

In July 1980, Billy Joel recorded live performances in night club shows for "Songs in the Attic", featuring lesser-known songs from earlier in his career.

September 1980: "Don't Ask Me Why" Release

In September 1980, "Don't Ask Me Why" reached No. 19 on the Billboard chart.

November 1980: "Sometimes a Fantasy" Release

In November 1980, "Sometimes a Fantasy" reached No. 36 on the Billboard chart.

1980: Release of Glass Houses

In 1980, Billy Joel released the album Glass Houses, in an attempt to establish himself as a rock artist.

1981: Songs in the Attic Release

In 1981, live performances of "She's Got a Way" and "Everybody Loves You Now" were released on Songs in the Attic, bringing attention to the songs originally on Cold Spring Harbor.

1981: Production of "The Nylon Curtain" Begins

In the fall of 1981, Billy Joel began production on "The Nylon Curtain", aiming for a more ambitious and topical songwriting style.

April 15, 1982: Motorcycle Accident

On April 15, 1982, Billy Joel was involved in a serious motorcycle accident on Long Island, which caused injuries to his hands and temporarily delayed the production of "The Nylon Curtain".

July 20, 1982: Divorce from Elizabeth Weber Small

On July 20, 1982, Billy Joel divorced his first wife, Elizabeth Weber Small.

December 29, 1982: Live from Long Island Filmed

On December 29, 1982, Billy Joel filmed his first video special, "Live from Long Island", at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.

1982: Release of The Nylon Curtain

In 1982, Billy Joel released The Nylon Curtain, influenced by a desire to create more lyrically and melodically ambitious music.

1982: "52nd Street" Released on CD

In 1982, Billy Joel's album "52nd Street" became the first commercially released album on compact disc.

1982: Last Performance of "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" until 2014

Until May 2014, Billy Joel had not performed "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" live since 1982.

1983: "And So It Goes" Written

In 1983, "And So It Goes" was originally written around the time Billy Joel was writing songs for "An Innocent Man", but it was held back until "Storm Front".

1983: Release of "An Innocent Man"

In 1983, Billy Joel released "An Innocent Man", a tribute to R&B and doo wop music, which included his second Billboard number-one hit, "Tell Her About It".

1983: "Live from Long Island" Broadcast on HBO

In 1983, Billy Joel's video special, "Live from Long Island", was originally broadcast on HBO before becoming available on VHS.

1983: Remastered Cold Spring Harbor release

In 1983, Columbia released a remastered version of Cold Spring Harbor, with certain songs shortened or re-orchestrated.

1984: Releases from "An Innocent Man"

In 1984, Billy Joel released singles from "An Innocent Man", including "The Longest Time" which hit No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart, and "Leave a Tender Moment Alone" which hit No. 27.

January 1985: "Keeping the Faith" peaked on the charts

In January 1985, "Keeping the Faith" peaked at No. 18 on the Hot 100 chart.

March 1985: Marriage to Christie Brinkley

In March 1985, Billy Joel married model Christie Brinkley.

December 29, 1985: Birth of Daughter Alexa Ray Joel

On December 29, 1985, Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley's daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, was born. Alexa was named after Ray Charles, one of Joel's musical idols.

1985: Marriage to Christie Brinkley

In 1985, Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley got married. Their relationship began after Brinkley starred in the music video for "Uptown Girl".

1985: Participation in USA for Africa

In 1985, Billy Joel participated in the USA for Africa project and contributed to the "We Are the World" song.

1985: Recording of "You're Only Human (Second Wind)"

In 1985, Billy Joel recorded "You're Only Human (Second Wind)" as a message to help prevent teen suicide.

1985: Release of Greatest Hits – Volume I & Volume II

In 1985, Billy Joel released his compilation album, Greatest Hits – Volume I & Volume II, which became one of the best-selling albums in the United States.

October 1986: Planning Soviet Union Trip

In October 1986, Billy Joel and his team began planning a tour to the Soviet Union, including live performances in Moscow, Leningrad, and Tbilisi.

November 18, 1986: "Big Man on Mulberry Street" on Moonlighting

On November 18, 1986, an extended version of Billy Joel's "Big Man on Mulberry Street" was featured on an episode of Moonlighting.

1986: Contribution to Ruthless People soundtrack

In 1986, Billy Joel contributed to the soundtrack of the film Ruthless People.

1986: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Site Selection Committee

In 1986, Billy Joel was on the site selection committee for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and cast the tie-breaking vote for Cleveland, Ohio.

1986: End of Phil Ramone Collaboration

In 1986, Phil Ramone's collaboration with Billy Joel came to an end. Ramone had produced all of Joel's studio albums from 1977 to 1986.

July 1987: Tour of the Soviet Union

In July 1987, Billy Joel, his family, and his band toured the Soviet Union, performing in Moscow, Leningrad, and Tbilisi. The concerts were simulcast on radio around the world.

October 1987: Release of "КОНЦЕРТ" Album

In October 1987, Billy Joel released the album "КОНЦЕРТ", featuring live performances from his tour in the Soviet Union.

1987: Rock Tour in the Soviet Union

In 1987, Billy Joel became one of the first artists to hold a rock tour in the Soviet Union, marking a significant cultural exchange.

1987: Inspiration for Leningrad

In 1987, Billy Joel met a clown in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) during his tour, which inspired him to write the song "Leningrad".

1988: Joel Plays Keyboards on Mick Jones' Album

In 1988, Billy Joel played keyboards on Mick Jones' self-titled solo album. He is also featured in the video for Jones' single "Just Wanna Hold".

1988: Voiceover Work for Oliver & Company

In 1988, Billy Joel provided voiceover work for the Disney animated film Oliver & Company, performing the song "Why Should I Worry?".

1988: Voice Acting Role in Oliver & Company

In 1988, Billy Joel voiced Dodger in the animated film "Oliver & Company" and sang the character's song "Why Should I Worry?".

1988: Recording of Storm Front Commences

In 1988, the recording of "Storm Front" began, coinciding with major changes in Billy Joel's career and business affairs.

August 1989: Dismissal of Manager Frank Weber

In August 1989, Billy Joel dismissed his manager, Frank Weber, after discovering discrepancies in Weber's accounting.

September 1989: Release of "We Didn't Start the Fire"

In September 1989, Billy Joel released "We Didn't Start the Fire", which became his third US number-one hit.

1989: Doug Stegmeyer's departure

In 1989, Doug Stegmeyer left Billy Joel's band, after having been bassist since 1974.

January 1990: Partial Judgment Against Frank Weber

In January 1990, Billy Joel was awarded US$2 million in a partial judgment against his former manager, Frank Weber.

1990: "I Go to Extremes" and "And So It Goes" Charting

In early 1990, "I Go to Extremes" reached No. 6, and in late 1990, "And So It Goes" reached No. 37, further promoting the "Storm Front" album.

1992: Contribution to Honeymoon in Vegas soundtrack

In 1992, Billy Joel contributed to the soundtrack of the film Honeymoon in Vegas.

1992: Induction into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Work on River of Dreams

In 1992, Billy Joel inducted the R&B duo Sam & Dave into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Also in 1992, Joel began working on the album River of Dreams.

1992: High School Diploma Awarded

In 1992, Billy Joel was awarded his high school diploma from Hicksville High School after submitting essays in lieu of a missed exam.

1992: Induction into Songwriters Hall of Fame

In 1992, Billy Joel was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to music.

1992: Lawsuit Against Allen Grubman

In the summer of 1992, Billy Joel filed a US$90 million lawsuit against his former lawyer Allen Grubman, alleging fraud and breach of contract.

1993: Release of River of Dreams Album

In 1993, Billy Joel released the album River of Dreams before largely retiring from producing studio material.

1993: Induction into Madison Square Garden Walk of Fame

In 1993, Billy Joel was the second entertainer to be inducted into the Madison Square Garden Walk of Fame.

1993: Settlement of Lawsuit

In the fall of 1993, Billy Joel's lawsuit against Allen Grubman was settled out of court, with Sony America paying Joel US$3 million to protect its subsidiary Sony Music's interests.

April 13, 1994: Separation announcement

On April 13, 1994, Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley announced their separation.

August 1994: Divorce finalized

In August 1994, Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley's divorce was finalized.

August 26, 1994: Divorce from Christie Brinkley

On August 26, 1994, Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley divorced. They remain friends.

1996: Formation of Long Island Boat Company

In 1996, Billy Joel merged his love of boating with a desire for a second career, forming the Long Island Boat Company with Peter Needham.

1996: Masterclass Session in Pittsburgh

In 1996, Billy Joel shared insights about "Storm Front" and "And So It Goes" during a Masterclass session in Pittsburgh.

1997: Performance with Garth Brooks

In 1997, Billy Joel performed with Garth Brooks during Brooks' Central Park concert.

1999: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In 1999, Billy Joel was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland by Ray Charles, one of his musical influences.

September 21, 2001: Performance at America: A Tribute to Heroes

On September 21, 2001, Billy Joel performed "New York State of Mind" live as part of the America: A Tribute to Heroes benefit concert.

October 20, 2001: Performance at Concert for New York City

On October 20, 2001, Billy Joel performed "Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)" and "Your Song" with Elton John at the Concert for New York City in Madison Square Garden.

2001: Alexander Joel's role as chief musical director

In 2001, Alexander Joel, Billy Joel's half-brother, became the chief musical director of the Staatstheater Braunschweig.

2001: Johnny Mercer Award

In 2001, Billy Joel received the Johnny Mercer Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame, celebrating his songwriting achievements.

2001: Release of Fantasies & Delusions

In 2001, Billy Joel released Fantasies & Delusions, a unique album of classical compositions, showcasing a different side of his musical talent.

2002: MusiCares Person of the Year

Billy Joel was named MusiCares Person of the Year for 2002, and various artists performed his songs at the dinner honoring him.

2002: Purchase of Oyster Bay Estate

In 2002, Billy Joel bought an estate in Centre Island, New York, in the town of Oyster Bay, for US$22 million.

2002: Treatment at Silver Hill Hospital

In 2002, Billy Joel entered Silver Hill Hospital, a substance abuse and psychiatric center, for 10 days of treatment.

2003: Induction of The Righteous Brothers into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In 2003, Billy Joel inducted The Righteous Brothers into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

2003: Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums List

In 2003, Rolling Stone included The Stranger at number 67, and 52nd Street at number 352, on their 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list.

September 20, 2004: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

On September 20, 2004, Billy Joel received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in the music industry.

October 2, 2004: Marriage to Katie Lee

On October 2, 2004, Billy Joel married chef Katie Lee, his third wife. His daughter, Alexa Ray, was maid of honor, and Christie Brinkley attended the wedding.

March 2005: Treatment at Betty Ford Center

In March 2005, Billy Joel checked into the Betty Ford Center, where he spent 30 days for the treatment of alcohol abuse.

2005: Release of "My Lives" box set

In 2005, Columbia released the "My Lives" box set, a compilation of demos, b-sides, live versions, and hits.

January 7, 2006: Start of U.S. tour

On January 7, 2006, Billy Joel began a tour across the U.S., featuring songs from throughout his career.

June 13, 2006: Release of "12 Gardens Live"

On June 13, 2006, Columbia released "12 Gardens Live", a double album of live recordings from Joel's 2006 shows at Madison Square Garden.

July 31, 2006: Free concert in Rome

On July 31, 2006, Billy Joel performed a free concert in Rome, Italy, with the Colosseum as the backdrop.

October 15, 2006: Induction into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame

On October 15, 2006, Billy Joel was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.

2006: "The Great Wall of China" featured on tour

In 2006, "The Great Wall of China", a song about his ex-manager Frank Weber, was a regular part of Billy Joel's tour setlist.

2006: Induction into Long Island Music Hall of Fame

In 2006, Billy Joel was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, honoring his local roots and impact on music.

February 27, 2007: Release of "All My Life" single

On February 27, 2007, Billy Joel's newest single, "All My Life", was released in stores.

December 1, 2007: Premiere of "Christmas in Fallujah"

On December 1, 2007, Billy Joel premiered his new song "Christmas in Fallujah", performed by Cass Dillon.

January 26, 2008: Performance with the Philadelphia Orchestra

On January 26, 2008, Billy Joel performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, celebrating the 151st anniversary of the Academy of Music.

March 10, 2008: Induction of John Mellencamp into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

On March 10, 2008, Billy Joel inducted his friend John Mellencamp into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

June 19, 2008: Concert at Caesars Windsor grand re-opening

On June 19, 2008, Billy Joel played a concert at the grand re-opening of Caesars Windsor in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

December 11, 2008: Live recording of "Christmas in Fallujah"

On December 11, 2008, Billy Joel recorded his own rendition of "Christmas in Fallujah" during a concert in Sydney and released it as a live single in Australia.

2008: Book Project Acquired

HarperCollins acquired the autobiography book project for US$3 million in 2008.

2008: Benefit Performance for Barack Obama

In 2008, Billy Joel played a benefit with Bruce Springsteen to raise money for Barack Obama's presidential campaign.

2008: Joel's Reflection on The Bridge

In 2008, Billy Joel stated in an interview that he does not think "The Bridge" is a good album.

2008: Joel discusses "Say Goodbye to Hollywood"

In a 2008 radio interview, Billy Joel said that he no longer performs the song because singing it in its high original key "shreds" his vocal cords.

March 2009: "Face to Face" tour resumption

In March 2009, Billy Joel and Elton John resumed their "Face to Face" tour.

May 19, 2009: Lawsuit filed by Liberty DeVitto

On May 19, 2009, Billy Joel's former drummer, Liberty DeVitto, filed a lawsuit claiming owed royalty payments.

June 17, 2009: Separation from Katie Lee Announced

On June 17, 2009, Billy Joel and Katie Lee announced their separation.

2009: Relationship with Alexis Roderick Began

In 2009, Billy Joel and Alexis Roderick started their relationship.

February 2010: Denial of tour cancellation rumors

In February 2010, Billy Joel denied rumors that he had cancelled a summer leg of the "Face to Face" tour, stating no dates were ever booked.

March 2010: End of "Face to Face" tour

In March 2010, Billy Joel and Elton John ended their "Face to Face" tour in Albany, New York.

November 2010: Opening of Motorcycle Shop

In November 2010, Billy Joel opened a shop in Oyster Bay, Long Island, to manufacture custom-made, retro-styled motorcycles and accessories.

March 2011: Cancellation of Autobiography Release

In March 2011, Billy Joel decided against publishing his autobiography and officially canceled his deal with HarperCollins.

June 2011: Scheduled Release of Autobiography

In June 2011, the autobiography written by Billy Joel with Fred Schruers, titled "The Book of Joel: A Memoir", was originally scheduled to be released.

November 2011: Re-release of "Piano Man"

In November 2011, "Piano Man" was re-released in a two-disc Legacy edition.

December 12, 2011: Portrait in Steinway Hall

On December 12, 2011, Billy Joel became the first non-classical musician honored with a portrait in Steinway Hall.

2011: Howard Joel's death

In 2011, Howard Joel, Billy Joel's father, passed away.

December 12, 2012: Performance at 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief

On December 12, 2012, Billy Joel performed at 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief at Madison Square Garden, modifying lyrics to "Miami 2017".

2012: Publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group

In 2012, Billy Joel signed an exclusive worldwide publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG).

May 2013: Announcement of Irish Concert

In May 2013, Billy Joel announced that he would hold his first ever indoor Irish concert at the O2 in Dublin.

December 29, 2013: Kennedy Center Honors

On December 29, 2013, Billy Joel received Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, D.C.

2013: Kennedy Center Honors

In 2013, Billy Joel was recognized at the Kennedy Center Honors, celebrating his lifetime contributions to American culture.

December 31, 2013: Performance at Barclays Center in Brooklyn

On December 31, 2013, Billy Joel headlined a solo arena concert in New York City for the first time since 2006, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

January 27, 2014: Start of Madison Square Garden residency

On January 27, 2014, Billy Joel began a concert residency at Madison Square Garden, playing one concert a month indefinitely.

May 2014: First live performance of "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" since 1982

In May 2014, Billy Joel performed "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" live for the first time since 1982 at the Hollywood Bowl.

July 22, 2014: Recipient of the Gershwin Prize

On July 22, 2014, the Library of Congress announced that Billy Joel would be the sixth recipient of the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.

November 2014: Gershwin Prize Award Ceremony

In November 2014, Billy Joel received the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song at a performance ceremony from the Librarian of Congress and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

2014: Alexander Joel's departure from Staatstheater Braunschweig

In 2014, Alexander Joel's tenure as chief musical director of the Staatstheater Braunschweig concluded.

2014: Schruers Publishes Joel Biography

In 2014, Fred Schruers published a biography, simply titled "Billy Joel", based on his extensive personal interviews with Joel.

2014: Rosalind Joel's death

In 2014, Rosalind Joel, Billy Joel's mother, passed away.

July 4, 2015: Marriage to Alexis Roderick

On July 4, 2015, Billy Joel married Alexis Roderick, his fourth wife, at his Oyster Bay estate. The ceremony was conducted by Governor Andrew Cuomo.

August 4, 2015: Final Concert at Nassau Coliseum Before Renovation

On August 4, 2015, Billy Joel performed his final concert at Nassau Coliseum before it underwent a US$261 million renovation.

August 12, 2015: Birth of Daughter Della Rose Joel

On August 12, 2015, Billy Joel and Alexis Roderick had a daughter, Della Rose Joel.

November 2015: Manalapan Home Listed for Sale

In November 2015, Billy Joel's waterfront residence in Manalapan, Florida, was put on the market for $19.5 million.

2016: Endorsement of Hillary Clinton

In 2016, after sarcastic dedication of "The Entertainer" to Donald Trump was misinterpreted, Billy Joel clarified that he would be voting for Hillary Clinton.

April 5, 2017: First Concert at Renovated Nassau Coliseum

On April 5, 2017, Billy Joel played the first concert at the newly renovated Nassau Coliseum.

June 24, 2017: Honorary Commencement Address at Hicksville High School

On June 24, 2017, fifty years after his would-be graduating class received their diplomas, Billy Joel delivered the honorary commencement address at Hicksville High School. It was also the 25th anniversary of him receiving his own diploma.

October 22, 2017: Birth of Daughter Remy Anne Joel

On October 22, 2017, Billy Joel and Alexis Roderick's second daughter, Remy Anne Joel, was born.

2017: Manalapan Home Relisted for Sale

In 2017, Billy Joel's waterfront residence in Manalapan, Florida, was relisted with an asking price of $18.5 million.

2017: Miami 2017 Mention

Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway) is mentioned as one of Joel's best-known songs in 2017.

July 18, 2018: Billy Joel Day in New York State

On July 18, 2018, Governor Andrew Cuomo proclaimed the date to be Billy Joel Day in New York State to mark his 100th performance at Madison Square Garden.

2018: Manalapan Home Reduced in Price

In 2018, the asking price for Billy Joel's Manalapan, Florida, property was further reduced to $16.9 million.

2019: Concert Announcement at Camden Yards

In 2019, Billy Joel announced a concert at Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles, marking the first-ever concert at the baseball stadium.

January 2020: Sale of Manalapan Property

In January 2020, Billy Joel's 13,200-square-foot property in Manalapan, Florida, sold for US$10.3 million.

March 2020: Concert Postponements Due to COVID-19

Beginning in March 2020, Billy Joel was forced to postpone his concerts due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

August 2021: Concert Postponements End

Billy Joel's concerts remained postponed until August 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2022: "Vienna" popularity

As of 2022, "Vienna" is one of Billy Joel's most streamed songs on the internet.

June 1, 2023: End of Madison Square Garden Residency Announced

On June 1, 2023, Billy Joel announced that his residency at Madison Square Garden would end in July 2024 with his 104th performance in the series, marking his 150th lifetime performance at the venue.

October 19, 2023: "Billy Joel Way" Renaming

On October 19, 2023, a portion of Audrey Avenue in Billy Joel's hometown of Oyster Bay was renamed "Billy Joel Way" in his honor.

2023: Concert Series with Stevie Nicks Announced

In 2023, Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks jointly announced plans to perform a series of concerts across the United States.

2023: Oyster Bay Estate Put on the Market

In 2023, Billy Joel put his Oyster Bay estate on the market for $49 million, but the listing was pulled for renovations.

January 22, 2024: New Single Announcement

On January 22, 2024, Billy Joel announced his first new pop single in years, "Turn the Lights Back On", which was released on February 1.

April 14, 2024: CBS Feature on 100th Performance at MSG

On April 14, 2024, Billy Joel was featured on CBS in commemoration of his 100th performance at Madison Square Garden.

July 2024: End of Madison Square Garden Residency

Billy Joel is set to conclude his 10-year residency at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan in July 2024.

September 2024: Oyster Bay Estate Listed for Sale Again

In September 2024, Billy Joel's Oyster Bay estate, with its guest houses, pool, beach, and helipad on 26 acres, was again offered for sale, asking $49.9 million.