Table of Contents
Who Is Billy Joel?
Born on May 9, 1949, in New York City, Billy Joel is an iconic American singer-songwriter known for his distinctive blend of pop and rock music. After experiencing a setback with his debut album, Cold Spring Harbor (1971), Joel achieved widespread acclaim with the release of Piano Man in 1973, featuring enduring hits such as “Piano Man” and “Captain Jack.” His subsequent albums, including Streetlife Serenade (1974), The Stranger (1977), and 52nd Street (1978), solidified his status as a musical powerhouse.
In the 1980s, Joel’s personal life also gained public attention when he married supermodel Christie Brinkley. Musically, he dominated the charts with popular tracks like “Uptown Girl” and “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” By 1999, his global song sales exceeded $100 million, leading to his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In recognition of his contributions to music, he received the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors in 2013.
Early Life
William Martin “Billy” Joel was born in the Bronx, New York, to Howard and Rosalind Joel. Shortly after his birth, the family relocated to Levittown, a prominent suburb on Long Island. Although his father was a talented classical pianist, it was Joel’s mother who encouraged him to pursue piano lessons. He began playing at the age of four and quickly demonstrated a remarkable talent for the instrument. By the time he reached 16, Joel had already joined his third band, showcasing his early commitment to music.
Early Career
Inspired by the Beatles’ legendary performance on The Ed Sullivan Show, Joel decided to dedicate his life to music. He dropped out of high school to pursue a performing career and released his first solo album, Cold Spring Harbor, in 1971. Unfortunately, due to unfavorable contract terms with Family Productions, Joel was dissatisfied with the album’s quality, and it failed to achieve commercial success.
Feeling disillusioned with the pursuit of fame, he relocated to Los Angeles to take a step back from the spotlight. In early 1972, Joel began working as a lounge pianist under the name Bill Martin at The Executive Room on Wilshire Boulevard. This experience later inspired his hit song “Piano Man,” which vividly depicts the lives of the bar’s patrons.
By late 1972, an underground recording of Joel’s “Captain Jack” began to attract attention on the East Coast, prompting executives from Columbia Records to reach out to him for a second chance at stardom.
Career Breakthrough
With the success of “Piano Man,” which reached the Top 20 on the charts, Joel gained the momentum he needed to continue his recording career. He released Streetlife Serenade in 1974, with many of his songs reflecting a growing frustration with the music industry and Hollywood, signaling his eventual departure from Los Angeles in 1976. Over the years, Joel’s musical style evolved, incorporating elements of pop, blues, and jazz, which would come to define his sound.
The Stranger (1977) marked Joel’s first major commercial breakthrough, yielding four Top 25 hits on the U.S. Billboard charts. By 1981, Joel had amassed numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance and a People’s Choice Award, further solidifying his place in the pantheon of American music legends.
Later Career
In the early 2000s, Billy Joel faced significant challenges, grappling with an ongoing battle with alcohol addiction that led to multiple stints in rehab. However, he marked a pivotal return to music in 2007 with the release of “All My Life,” his first original song in over a decade. Although Joel has adopted a semi-retired status concerning the recording of new pop music, he remains active in touring and expanding his artistic horizons. He has composed several classical pieces and reimagined earlier ballads with orchestral arrangements.
Throughout his career, Joel’s music has served as both personal and cultural touchstones for millions, reflecting his aspiration to create songs that “meant something during the time in which I lived… and transcended that time.” His ability to resonate with audiences is evident, particularly with the announcement of his residency at Madison Square Garden in 2013. This milestone made him the first music franchise in the venue’s history. Joel achieved record-breaking success, with each monthly concert selling out and grossing over $46 million in sales by October 2015.
Personal Life
Billy Joel’s personal life has been marked by notable relationships. After splitting from his first wife, Elizabeth Weber Small, in 1982—his partner since 1973—he married supermodel Christie Brinkley in 1984. The couple welcomed their daughter, Alexa Ray, on December 29, 1985, named in honor of the legendary musician Ray Charles. Joel and Brinkley divorced in 1993.
In 2004, he married television personality and journalist Katie Lee; however, this marriage lasted five years before ending in divorce. In 2015, Joel and his girlfriend of six years, Alexis Roderick, announced they were expecting their first child together. They celebrated their wedding during an annual Fourth of July gathering at his Long Island estate, with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo officiating. Their daughter, Della Rose Joel, was born on August 12, 2015.