Billy Joel is obviously a favorite in the Big Apple. He played a record-breaking residency at Madison Square Garden in New York City that wrapped up July 25, 2024, with his 150th show. While he’s not retiring from music, he’s not doing a monthly residency there anymore. However, Joel has said that he plans to keep performing, in general, and hasn’t ruled out playing Madison Square Garden again in the future, according to a feature in USA Today.
“I’m going to miss doing it a lot,” Joel told USA Today during an interview about a CBS special to commemorate his 100th residency show. “I love it. The band loves it. The crowd is a New York-crazy crowd. The minute you walk onstage you’re aware they’re rooting for you. The only way you could mess up that gig is to try to screw it up.”
Billy Joel to Be Honored
So, Billy Joel and New York are very tight at this point. He’ll likely play there again, although the musician has been dealing with some health issues that have kept him off the road. But, now, the musician will be honored with an upcoming tribute concert in New York City. That’s because Joel is taking the spotlight in New York City entrepreneur Michael Dorf’s annual “Music Of” concert series. Specifically, the Joel tribute is scheduled for March 21 at Carnegie Hall.
The special, dubbed “The Music of Billy Joel,” well have 20 musicians performing songs from Joel’s career-spanning catalog. It’s for a good cause, too, because all of the net proceeds will go to music education for underserved youth programs.
The series of shows from Dorf kicked off in 2004, and since then, the concerts have raised more than $2 million for charity. The Joel concert will mark the 21st “Music Of” tribute from Dorf.
Last year, Dorf’s series honored Patti Smith, and other previous shows have celebrated the music of Paul McCartney, Van Morrison, The Who, Bruce Springsteen, Prince, R.E.M., Crosby, Stills & Nash and more.
Tickets are available at the series’ website. A lineup for the concert is has yet to drop.
Anne Erickson started her radio career shortly after graduating from Michigan State University and has worked on-air in Detroit, Flint, Toledo, Lansing and beyond. As someone who absolutely loves rock, metal and alt music, she instantly fell in love with radio and hasn’t looked back. When she’s not working, Anne makes her own music with her band, Upon Wings, and she also loves cheering on her favorite Detroit and Michigan sports teams, especially Lions and MSU football. Anne is also an award-winning journalist, and her byline has run in a variety of national publications. You can also hear her weekends on WRIF.
You’re alive and reading this right now (thanks, btw), but one day you’ll be dead, despite your best efforts (sorry). Maybe by that time, in the very distant future, you’ll have lived an impossibly fulfilled life to its biggest and best extremes, amazing experiences in a playground of a world made just for your adventurous exploration, alongside family and friends you loved and treasured and the feeling being mutual. “Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt,” as it’s been put.
And, of course, you got to listen to all of the music you wanted, right to the final note, your beautiful, pain-free life’s soundtrack. As essential as your experiences and loved ones are, you never underestimate how music somehow makes everything even better. When you’re in an urn and it’s time to have your remains spread in the exact right place, somewhere symbolic and worthy of all the glory of your thought-having, air-breathing, music-listening days, might you choose a spot associated with that music? And which music-cetric place would you choose?
A little background — this story borrows heavily from one first presented in a different fashion by Pablo Torre Finds Out, a magnificent sports and pop culture podcast. If you haven’t tuned in, follow any of these links to the evocative, inspired stories presented episode after episode by one of journalism’s great interviewers. The show’s host, Pablo Torre, recently examined a growing death trend, one which sees folks dispatching the ashes of their loved ones at football fields, hockey arenas, baseball diamonds, golf courses and other sports venues – usually without permission – to fulfill the dying wishes of their beloved, departed sports fanatic.
Surely, this could be (or already is?) a music trend, too. After all, the first dance at your wedding, the tune you dialed up to quell your nerves in the delivery room or the bangers you want played at your wake are at least as important as that time your favorite sportsball team won the championship.
For my part, I’m going with Billy Joel’s front doorstep. For the longest time, I’ve been keeping the faith thanks to the Piano Man’s music, as has been detailed here in the Houston Presstime and time again. I can’t think of a better way to explain how “I’ve Loved These Days” (a Joel deep cut) than being poured tastefully around the shrubbery and on the welcome mat at his home.
What about you, alive and well, reader? Is it Abbey Road? Coachella? Graceland? Or something closer to home like Numbers, the parking lot that used to be Fitzgerald’s or The Astrodome (yeah, it’s still there, the last time we checked). We asked a few music fans we know where they’d want their ashes scattered, to mix into the soil and drift with the wind and forever be one with a music place dear to them. Here’s what we heard:
Jason Esparza owns Hell N High Water Productions and has done professional video production, live concert filming and webcasting of some of your favorite music acts, including festival headliners like Pearl Jam and closer-to-home heroes like Robert Earl Keen. Esparza teamed with the late Kinky Friedman for the music series Texas Roadhouse Live and is a frequent contributor to nugs.net. Besides having a keen (no pun intended) eye for shooting concert footage and an ear for great songs, he’s a huge music fan, one who’s taken cues from his own musical heroes to write his own songs, a new endeavor for him.
We posed our weird question to Esparza over tasty beers at Equal Parts Brewing recently and he didn’t flinch. First, he told his actual plan, which is to have his remains scattered in a natural setting which we’re not at liberty to disclose. Let’s just say it has trees, lots of tall, old ones. Then Esparza addressed our hypothetical.
“You know, when I was growing up, I always thought that I was gonna have my ashes spread out over Woodstock,” which seemed on brand for Esparza, who is too young to be a true hippie but does love The Grateful Dead and lots of jam bands. “That place is still there, you know, it’s still living. I always wanted that.”
Photo by ClearShudder Photography, courtesy of Brittany Hernandez
Brittany Hernandez: Die With a Smile
The header introducing our friend Brittany Hernandez is more than just a nod to the latest Lady Gaga hit (one of Hernandez’s favorite artists), it’s also our hope for everyone, especially our fellow music lovers. Hernandez is owner of and stylist at Friendswood-based Transparent Beauty. We asked what role music plays on the day-to-day for her, her fellow stylists and their customers.
“Music is huge in my workday. In my suite, it sets the mood, keeps the energy flowing and helps clients feel comfortable and relaxed,” she said. “It’s part of the rhythm of the day and makes even the busiest schedule feel more fun.”
Hernandez said she has a wide taste in music and is “especially drawn to pop, R&B and country. Some of my favorite artists include Lady Gaga, Sabrina Claudio, Ella Langley, WizTheMc & Bees & Honey. My first concert was NSYNC when I was 12 years old, but my favorite live show so far has to be Florence and the Machine. It was such an unforgettable experience.”
Hernandez is a pro so she knows about beauty, not just its outward representation but how it is manifest in and around us. Her response to our odd query was truly a thing of beauty.
“For me, it would be the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion,” she said of The Woodlands-based concert amphitheater. “Music has always been a big part of my happiest memories, so it feels fitting to choose a place where people come together to celebrate music, life and connection. It would be like leaving a part of myself in the middle of the joy I always felt there.”
Rad Rich is a Houston music journalist, radio personality and local icon whose roots with all things music in this city are deep. Thankfully, Rich has shared that love of music – particularly punk, hip hop and underground – with locals on KPFT’s Rock N Soul Revue for years. Besides his knowledge of Houston’s music scene (get just a small glimpse in this David Ensminger article from the Houston Press archive), he’s a consummate story teller, generous with the details we crave.
For instance, his knowledge of the background of his final resting place in our weird little game, The Axiom.
“The Axiom used to be Cabaret Voltaire,” Rich told us. Some folks know that but it takes a real Houston music fan, one of his legendary status, to know the deeper background. He said before it became the Axiom, the place was Cabaret Voltaire 3.
“There was Cabaret Voltaire 1, which was on Almeda and Alabama, which was an old mortuary,” he said. “Then there was Cabaret Voltaire 2, which was on Chenevert Street, which is now a Mexican restaurant.”
He’d choose Cabaret Voltaire 3, a.k.a. The Axiom, among all the Cabaret Voltaires as a place to scatter his remains. Right there in the East End of downtown on McKinney and Live Oak.
“A lot of people, when they pass by there, they’ve got so many memories, being there, hanging out on that corner, things that happened, the bands that played there. From Bad Religion to NOFX, you just go down the list of rock and metal bands – Sepultura played there – all these bands that became huge played there.”
When asked how many shows he saw at Axion/Cabaret Voltaire, he said “every show” and we believed him. The building is old and has a storied history as detailed by him (“It used to be a little whorehouse”) and this comprehensive 2012 Houston Pressmusic article by Chris Gray. As final resting places go, it’s surely an interesting spot, especially if one believes in ghosts, the kind Rich was summoning when we chatted at – where else – a local live show, at Bad Astronaut, featuring Bad Brains’ H.R.
Elliot Lozier and The Eternal Shriek
Elliot Lozier is in several bands (full disclosure, including two with the author’s own kids) but he’s probably best known as the front person for Doom Scroll, a Colorado-based folk punk act. While that group is surging, having played Riot Fest last season and soon headed to Australia for a month long-tour, he’s keeping busy by releasing solo work as Pesky Self.
Lozier’s songs take an undaunted look at death, one of folk punk’s touchstone subjects. Check out the little ditty he wrote for Doom Scroll titled “Felled Spirits” and the chorus, “Death is waiting there to reclaim us allllll,” will be stuck in your head for days. He seemed a natural to take on our slightly morbid question.
Not that it was easy, he said. First he considered the Polack Inn, a Wisconsin dive bar he unironically referred to as a “local haunt.”
“I definitely don’t wanna stay there forever,” he laughed. “I also juggled with the Mishawaka Amphitheater but that’s only ‘cause that place is gorgeous and right on the Poudre River. Y’all should check out a show there sometime. It’s like mini-Red Rocks. A lot more intimate.
“I’ve been mulling it over the last 24 hours and I think I would have my ashes spread at Seventh Circle Music Collective in Denver,” Lozier said. “It’s been a staple in the punk community for so long and it always feels like home when we play there. I’m not a huge fan of large venues, so when I play places that are more intimate and authentic like Seventh Circle, it feels like I’m more connected with the people there and experiencing a show together. Some amazing bands have played there over the years and I’m honored to be a in a couple of them. Seventh Circle will always hold a special place in my heart for the music community and I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of playing there.”
Look for The Eternal Shriek, the debut album from Pesky Self, streaming everywhere Friday, September 5.
Attendance has surged since the closing announcement
Exhibit features 50+ years of Joel’s career and memorabilia
New, non-music exhibit expected to debut Thanksgiving weekend
Billy Joel fans have until Oct. 26 to see the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) exhibit about his life, before it is “movin’ out.”
The “Billy Joel: My Life, A Piano Man‘s Journey” at the Stony Brook-based museum enjoyed a nearly two-year run, and since the announcement of its closing, has drawn a new wave of interest.
“I can tell you that on any given day since we announced [the closing], we nearly tripled or quadrupled our attendance,” Ernie Canadeo, LIMEHOF chairman, told LIBN, without sharing specific numbers.
It’s not only Long Islanders who are visiting the museum to learn about the Piano Man. Canadeo said visitors are visiting from New Jersey, Connecticut and Virginia.
“A lot of them have been waiting to see it and haven’t had a chance, he said. “And now that they know it’s closing, they want to see it.”
The arts are an economic driver to the region, and contributed $330 million to the Long Island economy, supporting 4,905 jobs, according to a 2023 study by the Long Island Arts Alliance.
Earlier, in July, when the “Billy Joel: And So It Goes” two-part documentary premiered on HBO, LIMEHOF saw an increase of about 15 percent in visitors, Canadeo said.
Designed by Kevin O’Callaghan, the exhibit tells the story of Joel’s life and career, featuring items spanning more than 50 years. Highlights include rare memorabilia, behind-the-scenes video footage, awards, audio and video recordings, vintage instruments and historic photographs – many of which were personally donated by Joel.
Canadeo hopes to continue to feature several items from Joel’s archives in the future.
A new exhibit at the museum is set to open Thanksgiving weekend, and while the details are not yet public, Canadeo said, “I’ll be announcing it certainly before the end of the month.”
And he said, “it’s going to be big – but not music related.”
He pointed out that museum also features “entertainment” in its moniker.
Get ready for the legendary Billy Joel at Mohegan Sun Arena! The legendary singer is set to perform for the first time since his record-breaking, sold-out, 10-show residency at Madison Square Garden, where he performed for 100,000 guests in 2008. Guests can check out the “Piano Man” on Saturday, 22 February, 2025 at 8:00pm.
Joel ranks as one of the most popular recording artists and respected entertainers in history. The singer, songwriter, and composer is the sixth best-selling recording artist and the fourth best-selling solo artist with over 160 million records sold worldwide. His 1985 compilation album, Greatest Hits Vol. 1 & 2, is one of the best-selling albums in the United States.
Billy Joel at Mohegan Sun will no doubt feature his best loved songs, which have acted as personal and cultural touchstones for millions across five decades. His string of 33 Top 40 hits, which Joel wrote himself, began with 1973’s autobiographical “Piano Man”, a song written while Joel was playing in a Los Angeles lounge.
The long list of accolades awarded to Joel across his career is a testament to the reverence given to him by fans, critics, and fellow musicians alike. Joel was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame by his idol, Ray Charles, in 1999. He has received the RIAA’s Diamond Award twice for Greatest Hits Volume I & Volume II and The Stranger, and is the recipient of six GRAMMY Awards, including the prestigious GRAMMY Legend Award.
Other engaging titles from joel include “Uptown Girl,” “Just The Way You Are,” “The Longest Time,” and “Vienna,” among others. Tickets to see Billy Joel at Mohegan Sun went on sale Friday, September 13th via Ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available via the Mohegan Sun Box Office.
Holds the lifetime record of most performances by any artist at Madison Square Garden in New York.
He played the first rock concert ever held at New York’s Yankee Stadium in 1990, and the final rock concert ever played at New York’s Shea Stadium before it was torn down in 2008.
1965 – At 15 years of age, plays piano on a demo version of The Shangri-Las’ hit single, “Leader of the Pack.”
1971 – Releases his first solo album, “Cold Spring Harbor.”
1973 – Releases his first hit single, “Piano Man.”
February 15, 1979 – Wins two Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Record of the Year for “Just the Way You Are.”
February 27, 1980 – Wins two Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for his album, “52nd Street.”
February 25, 1981 – Wins the Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance for “Glass Houses.”
April 15, 1982 – Is hospitalized after he severely injures both hands in a motorcycle accident on Long Island. He needs two months to recover.
July 26, 1987 – As the first American entertainer to launch a full-scale rock production in the Soviet Union, Joel plays his first concert in Moscow; five other concerts follow, including two more in the capital and three in Leningrad.
January 1990 – Forty thousand copies of a ten-minute audio message by Joel, plus a recording of his 1989 hit, “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” are sent to schools across the United States in hopes it will assist them in understanding history.
February 25, 1992 – Receives the Grammy Legend Award.
1992 – Becomes a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
September 1992 – Files a fraud and breach of contract lawsuit against his legal team for their role in mismanaging his financial affairs. The case is settled in October 1993.
1994 – Kicks off his Face-to-Face tour with Elton John. Joel and John perform additional Face-to-Face tours together in 1995, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2009 and 2010.
2001 – Releases an album of classical music, “Opus 1-10 Fantasies & Delusions – Music for Solo Piano.”
June 14, 2002 – Enters Silver Hill Hospital in Connecticut for alcohol abuse treatment.
October 24, 2002 – The Broadway show “Movin’ Out,” based on the music of Joel, opens. The production is conceived, directed and produced by Twyla Tharp.
2003 – Wins a Tony Award for Best Orchestrations for the Broadway musical, “Movin’ Out.”
2004 – Scholastic publishes Joel’s first children’s book, “Goodnight My Angel: A Lullabye.”
March 2005 – Enters a rehabilitation center for alcohol treatment.
2005 – Scholastic publishes Joel’s second children’s book, “New York State of Mind.”
February 14, 2007 – Releases one song, “All My Life,” for his wife, Katie Lee, on People Magazine’s website.
November 2010 – Undergoes a double hip replacement in a New York hospital.
December 12, 2012 – Along with Bruce Springsteen and the Rolling Stones, Joel performs at Madison Square Garden to help raise funds for the victims of Hurricane Sandy.
December 8, 2013 – Is a recipient of the Kennedy Center Performing Arts Award.
June 18, 2014 – Joins the fight to criminalize the ivory trade. Joel publishes a letter on his website stating: “I am a piano player. And I realize that ivory piano keys are preferred by some pianists…but a preference for ivory keys does not justify the slaughter of 96 elephants every day.”
April 14, 2024 – Joel’s concert special, “The 100th: Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden – The Greatest Arena Run of All Time,” airs on CBS. The special marks Joel’s 100th consecutive performance at Madison Square Garden.
CBS said it will re-air its broadcast of Billy Joel’s 100th consecutive performance at Madison Square Garden after it was cut short for some viewers on Sunday.
Joel was in the middle of singing “Piano Man” when local news began in some parts of the country.
“Due to the overwhelming demand from his legion of fans,” Joel’s performance, filmed on March 28, will air again in its entirety on April 19 at 9 p.m. ET,” CBS said on Monday. Fans can also watch Joel’s performance on Paramount+.
“A network programming timing error ended last night’s Billy Joel special approximately two minutes early in the Eastern and Central Time Zones,” Julie Holland, CBS’s Vice President of Communications, said in a statement. “We apologize to Mr. Joel, his fans, our affiliated stations, and our audience whose viewing experience was interrupted during the last song.”
Joel performed some of his biggest hits during the performance, including “New York State of Mind” and his new single “Turn the Lights Back On.” Sting joined Joel during the concert to perform “Big Man on Mulberry Street.” Joel also brought out Jerry Seinfeld.
Aliza Chasan is a digital producer at 60 Minutes and CBSNews.com. She has previously written for outlets including PIX11 News, The New York Daily News, Inside Edition and DNAinfo. Aliza covers trending news, often focusing on crime and politics.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
While the Piano Man’s historic residency at the Garden may be over, fans can still catch one of his final performances from the comfort of their very own homes. If you want to find out how to watch Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden 100th concert live for free, keep on reading ahead.
Billy Joel has captivated audiences at New York City’s Madison Square Garden for over a decade straight. In fact, he achieved the seemingly impossible feat of selling out every show of his franchise run since January 2014 up until his final residency performance in July 2024, cementing his place as one of the most beloved performers of our time. Now, with his 100th consecutive show under his belt, fans will have the chance to witness history in the making yet again in the form of a new special airing on CBS.
Billy Joel’s 100th Madison Square Garden special—billed as The 100th: Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden—is a major celebration of Joel’s legacy throughout the years. The special televised event not only features his record-breaking 100th consecutive residency performance at Madison Square Garden but also marks the first time one of his shows will air on a broadcast network. The concert will see Joel serenading the crowd with his classic hits while also reflecting on the journey that led him to this historic moment. From heartfelt ballads like “Vienna,” to the infectious energy of “Uptown Girl,” there’s something in this concert for every fan.
If you’re ready to see the magic of the Piano Man in action live from New York City, keep on reading ahead to find out how to watch Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden 100th concert live for free on CBS—even without a cable subscription.
Image: Getty Images.
When does Billy Joel’s 100th Madison Square Garden Concert air?
Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden 100th Concert special, titled The 100th: Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden, airs Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 9:00 p.m. ET on CBS. The special will also be available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount Plus. Keep on reading ahead to find out how to stream it for free.
How to watch Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden 100th Concert live for free
As for other differences between the plans, Entertainment includes more than 75 channels, the ability to stream on unlimited devices in your home, unlimited cloud DVR storage, and a special offer on premium channels. Choice, which is the most popular plan, includes more than 105 channels, regional sports networks, and everything included in Entertainment. Ultimate includes more than 140 channels and everything included in Entertainment and Choice. Premiere includes more than 150 channels including premium channels like HBO and Starz and everything included in Entertainment, Choice, and Premiere. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden 100th Concert with DirecTV Stream’s free trial.
As for the difference between the plans, Pro includes 180 channels, 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR, and the ability to watch on up to 10 screens at once. Elite includes everything in Pro, as well as a total of 256 channels and 4K resolution. Premier includes everything in Pro and Elite, as well as a total of 299 channels, Showtime, and the Red Zone NFL Network. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden 100th Concert with Fubo’s free trial.
As for the differences between the plans, Paramount Plus Essential includes limited ads; tens of thousands of TV shows and movies including CBS and Paramount Plus originals; NFL games on CBS; UEFA Champions League matches; and 24/7 live access to CBS News. Paramount Plus With Showtime includes everything in essential, as well as no ads; Showtime original shows and movies; 24/7 live access to your local CBS network; college football; and the ability to download and watch shows on your mobile device. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch NFL Honors with Paramount Plus’ free trial.
Search for CBS Sports and start watching Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden 100th Concert!
Best Upgrade Pick to Watch Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden 100th Concert: Hulu+ Live TV
Hulu+ With Live TV is our best upgrade pick to watch Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden 100th Concert based on its channel selection and its free subscriptions to Hulu, Disney Plus, and ESPN Plus. Hulu+ With Live TV offers four plans: a $75.99 per month plan with access to only live TV; a $76.99 per month plan with free subscriptions to Hulu with ads, Disney Plus with ads, and ESPN Plus with ads; a $81.99 per month plan with free subscriptions to Hulu with ads, Disney Plus with no ads, and ESPN Plus with ads; and a $89.99 per month plan with free subscriptions to Hulu with no ads, Disney Plus with no ads, and ESPN Plus with ads. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden 100th Concertwith Hulu+ Live TV.
Search for CBS and start watching Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden 100th Concert!
Image: Getty Images.
When was Billy Joel’s 100th Madison Square Garden Concert recorded?
Billy Joel’s 100th Madison Square Garden Concert special was shot on March 28, 2024. The show marked his 100th consecutive performance at Madison Square Garden in New York City and was sold out to a crowd of nearly 20,000 audience members.
Billy Joel’s 100th Madison Square Garden Concert Setlist
See below for the full setlist from Billy Joel’s 100th Madison Square Garden concert.
“Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)”
“My Life”
“Vienna”
“The Downeaster Alexa”
“An Innocent Man”
“The Longest Time”
“Turn the Lights Back On”
“Big Man on Mulberry Street” (Duet with Sting)
“Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” (Duet with Sting)
“Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)”
“Half a Mile Away”
“The Entertainer”
“Don’t Ask Me Why”
“Allentown”
“New York State of Mind”
“Only the Good Die Young”
“The River of Dreams”
“Nessun dorma” (Giacomo Puccini cover, sung by Mike DelGuidice)
“Scenes From an Italian Restaurant”
“Piano Man”
Encore:
“We Didn’t Start the Fire”
“Uptown Girl”
“It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me”
“Big Shot”
“You May Be Right”
The 100th: Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden special airs Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 9:00 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount Plus.
Billy Joel returned to The Howard Stern Show on February 14, 2024, to talk to Howard Stern about “Turn the Lights Back On,” his songwriting process, “We Are the World,” and more, live from the SiriusXM Miami Studios.
Listen to the acclaimed singer-songwriter’s full interview with Howard on the SiriusXM app now.
During his appearance on The Howard Stern Show, while seated at a piano, Billy Joel discussed his recently released single “Turn the Lights Back On” (which Howard described as “so beautiful”). Billy talked about the real meaning behind the lyrics and how songwriter Freddy Wexler influenced him to finally create new music after such a long time.
Looking back, Billy and Howard also delved into Billy’s 1989 song “And So It Goes” — and the relationship that inspired it — as well as the new Netflix documentary around the celebrity charity recording of “We Are the World” in 1985.
“Nobody knew what the song was gonna be,” Billy said, sharing behind-the-scenes memories of the star-studded day. “I’m standing next to Cyndi Lauper and … she’s leaning over to me and going, ‘This song sounds like a Pepsi commercial.’”
(L to R) Howard Stern, Beth Stern, Alexis Roderick, and Billy Joel on February 14, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Jason Koerner/Getty Images)
He added, “Bob Dylan was shy to sing on his own, so Stevie Wonder comes out and is telling Bob how to sing like Bob Dylan … Funny stuff was happening.”
Billy continued, “Sometimes Bruce [Springsteen] and I are in the chorus and sometimes we’re not, because there was a big pile of deli sandwiches on the other side of the room, and we kept going over to get a beer and a sandwich.”
Taylor Swift set a record by winning her fourth Album Of The Year Grammy, and there were special moments from Tracy Chapman, Joni Mitchell, and Billy Joel.
Joni Mitchell Had The Night’s Most Stirring Performance
Can you believe that Joni Mitchell had never performed at the Grammy before 2024? It is true, and Mitchell delivered a stirring rendition of her classic Both Sides Now with Brandi Carlile:
Luke Combs has made his sincere love of Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car well known. His affection and sincerity toward the song are why his cover version works. The roof popped off of the arena though when the audience realized that Tracy Chapman was on stage.
Video:
Transported through space and time back to college and endless replays on my walkman — Tracy Chapman gracing Luke Combs and all of us with FAST CAR at the #GRAMMYspic.twitter.com/YGJGnJTfc9
Combs seemed to be having the time of his life performing with Chapman, and the best part was that was mouthing the words along with her as she sang,
Chapman got a huge standing ovation at the end of the song.
Billy Joel Returns With A New Song
The Grammys felt like being transported back in time when Billy Joel was shown on stage playing his first new song in thirty years, Turn The Lights Back On.
Jay-Z ripped the Grammy’s and defended Beyonce in a really cool way for the fact that she has won the most Grammy’s of anyone in history, but has never won Album Of The Year, which makes zero sense:
Jay-Z at the #Grammys: “…[Beyoncé] has more Grammys than anyone and never won album of the year.
Some of you will feel like you were robbed. Some of you will get robbed. Some of you don’t belong in the category! Sorry … when I get nervous, I tell the truth!” pic.twitter.com/1suz8P8APR
In the year of the Swift, Taylor Swift winning Album Of The Year felt like a foregone conclusion. Swift didn’t take the stage and endorse Joe Biden. According to the right wing, she’s saving that for after the Chiefs win the Super Bowl next Sunday.
The Grammys are usually one of the more enjoyable awards shows, and 2024 didn’t disappoint.
A Special Message From PoliticusUSA
If you are in a position to donate purely to help us keep the doors open on PoliticusUSA during what is a critical election year, please do so here.
We have been honored to be able to put your interests first for 14 years as we only answer to our readers and we will not compromise on that fundamental, core PoliticusUSA value.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
Dua Lipa attends the 66th Grammy Awards. Getty Images for The Recording A
Awards season is upon us, and after a month of celebrating the best in film and television, it’s time to honor those in the recording industry. Tonight (Feb. 4), the 66th annual Grammy Awards will recognize the top artists, songs, albums and recordings of the past year, with Trevor Noah hosting the ceremony at Cypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
The best and brightest in the industry always come out to celebrate the biggest night in music; tonight, performers include Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Joni Mitchell, Travis Scott, Luke Combs and Billy Joel, as well as SZA, who garnered the most nominations (a staggering nine) of any of the nominees this year. Other nominees
The 2024 Grammy Awards, which air at 8 p.m. ET on CBS, will also feature three new categories: Best African Music Performance, Best Alternative Jazz Album and Best Pop Dance Recording.
Before the Let’s not forget about the pre-show extravaganza, though, because A-listers always bring their sartorial best when it comes to dressing for the Grammys red carpet. Below, see all the best red carpet moments from the 2024 Grammy Awards.
I’m literally giddy to announce that it’s almost time to slam your laptops shut and celebrate the weekend. It feels like there has been zero sunshine and the summer couldn’t be further away…but Punxsutawney Phil declared we will have an early spring, so maybe that’s why I’m feeling a new sense of revival. The one guarantee? I have a Weekend Playlist filled with new music released today.
Yes, it’s been a few weeks and I can tell we are all desperate for a good playlist…one that scratches all the itches. And with UMG taking their music off TikTok, I’m already missing listening to clips of Taylor Swift songs and Harry Styles’ greatest hits. And with the 2024 GRAMMY’s happening on Sunday, I’m playing all the music I can in anticipation of music’s biggest night.
So, if you’re tired of work and are ready to blare some tunes to get you ready for the weekend, get your Spotify up…and let’s get listening!
ROSIE – “Lose Me Too”
In honor of her 24th birthday, ROSIE releases her new single, “Lose Me Too,” a breakup anthem about the struggle of trying not to lose yourself when you lose someone you love. It sums up the challenges you go through with your own identity during a breakup, where ROSIE’s melancholic pop track shines. The light beat perfectly juxtaposes the sad truth of the lyrics, which is just another reason ROSIE deserves to shine this year. She says,
“‘Lose Me Too’ is about someone leaving me, but not letting them take all of my favorite things with them when they do! There are certain songs, places and memories that will always remind me of the person I lost and part of me finds that terrifying. This record is about reminding myself that all of my favorite things still belong to me, and in that way, I am reclaiming my power. ‘Lose Me Too’ is the start of a new era, where I face, confront, and ultimately overcome my biggest fears.”
“Dreaming” – Tones And I
Tones And I has this unique, scratchy sound that wiggles into your brain and stays there for days. It’s the reason her song “Dance Monkey” went so insanely viral, she knows how to sing a bluesy pop hit that feels both retro and new all at the same time. With “Dreaming” you get that same playful energy, with a country/folk/stomp-and-holler sound that works just right.
“Dreaming” is about a partner who may not be all you thought they were. It has you begging the question: is this real or am I just dreaming?
“The Feminine Urge” – The Last Dinner Party
The Last Dinner Party encapsulates this Kate Bush, synth-y 80’s sound that is both haunting and catchy all in one. With “The Feminine Urge”, their surf-rock-esque indie sound exhibits their vocal range, and encapsulates female rage all in one. In a feminist tune, The Last Dinner Party asks the pressing questions: “Do you feel like a man when you can’t talk back/Do you want me or do you want control?”
Playing with the idea of what it means to “breathe like a girl” and referencing ballerinas crushing under the weight of it all, The Last Dinner Party’s jeering lyrics sum up the feminine urge women feel to fix everyone and everything. It’s apart of their debut album, Prelude to Ecstasy, a must-listen this year.
“Turn The Lights Back On” – Billy Joel
Billy Joel still has it, which we already knew considering he’s still touring all these years later. “Turn the Lights Back On” is a beautiful, loving ballad that hones in on his strengths: his voice, the piano, and his songwriting. You don’t need much more than that when you’re Billy Joel.
“Turn The Lights Back On” reminds us to be thankful for the great artists like Billy Joel, Stevie Nicks, and The Rolling Stones, who are still making music. Just sticking to what they know, no need to impress anyone anymore.
“Hunned Racks” – THE WHALES
The animated music group composed of TK and Leven Kali have released “Hunned Racks”, a funky rap-infused jam with catchy beats and sweet, smooth vocals. It’s a conglomeration of refined sound: G-funk, raps by MadeinTYO, and a hook from the always amazing Tkay Maidza.
What I love about THE WHALES is that you can hear how much fun they have going into every song. “Hunned Racks” is an easy choice for this playlist because it reminds you just to let go, and that’s what the weekend is all about.
After the premiere, “Turn the Lights Back On” will continue to play every hour on The Billy Joel Channel (Ch. 79) that day, with frequent spins throughout the end of the channel run on February 10.
Also on The Billy Joel Channel (Ch. 79) — which returned to SiriusXM by popular demand on January 4 — you can hear Billy himself host shows playing some of his favorite recordings by other artists as well as deep-dives into the writing and meaning of his own songs. Plus, celebrities like Don Henley, Garth Brooks, Billy’s daughter Alexa Ray Joel, Billy’s band members, and more host their own Guest DJ shows. Learn more about The Billy Joel Channel.
“Turn the Lights Back On” is Billy’s first release (with lyrics) since “All My Life” in 2007.
Billy Joel has sold more than 150 million records and had 23 GRAMMY nominations since 1972. A member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Billy has also received the GRAMMY Legend Award, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Recording Industry Association of America Diamond Award — to name just a few of his career milestones.
He will perform his final and 150th show at New York City’s Madison Square Garden on July 25, 2024, bringing an end to the record-breaking and unprecedented residency that began 10 years ago. Fans can also catch Billy at his seven stadium shows this year, including some with special guests like Stevie Nicks, Sting, and Rod Stewart.
For the last four decades Mark Rivera has been bringing down the house as Billy Joel’s saxophone player, taking over the show with his solos on classics like “New York State of Mind.” “There’s no feeling like it in the world,” Rivera laughed. “That’s my moment to step into the light.”
But when the music calls for it, he admits, he goes back into the shadow. “Do I mind the shadow? Not at all.”
Saxophone player Mark Rivera on stage with Billy Joel.
CBS News
After half a century backing up headliners like Paul McCartney, Elton John, Tony Bennett and Simon & Garfunkel, Rivera’s got something to teach the rest of us about life lived, not in the spotlight, but as the title of his recent book suggests, just to the side of it.
River is author of “Sideman: In Pursuit of the Next Gig.” Being a sideman, he said, means “knowing where your place is. That’s very important, to know where your place is in life.”
Matt Holt
Axelrod asked, “What’s the biggest mistake a sideman can make?”
“Thinking he’s more important than the name on the marquee!” Rivera replied. “Overstepping your job description, thinking that your role is greater than it is.”
Bestselling author Tim Brown has also been thinking about some unsung heroes who operate mostly in the shadows, not just in music, but sports, entertainment, and everyday life.
But don’t kids grow up dreaming of the spotlight, not the shadows? “I think you find honor in what you do every day,” Brown said of a life in the shadow of greatness. “Even if it’s not the entire dream, you can still be great at what you need to get done today. You can still feed whatever it is inside of you and go to bed that night thinking, OK, I was my best self today. Is it the whole dream? No. Is it pieces of the dream? Yeah.”
Brown’s latest book, “The Tao of the Backup Catcher,” examines backup catchers – major league baseball’s version of a sideman, told through the eyes of a retired catcher named Erik Kratz. “You’re there to give the number one guy a day off,” Kratz said.
And how important is wrestling your ego to the ground? “So important,” he said. “You can’t have your ego out in front.”
Catcher Erik Kratz of the Milwaukee Brewers stands between Manny Machado of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who’d just kicked Brewers first baseman Jesus Aguilar after Machado was thrown out during the tenth inning of Game Four of the National League Championship Series, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, October 16, 2018.
Jeff Gross / Getty Images
Kratz built a long, satisfying career doing something he loved, playing 11 seasons for 14 major league organizations. His longevity in major league baseball, he said, was “100%” built on being okay with not being a superstar. Once he realized his talent would only take him so far, and nowhere near stardom, he created value with a team-first attitude. “So, while I’m only playing in a third of the games, I’m there every single day,” said Kratz. “I’m working out just as hard to get ready for the game, so that when I do play – at my completely average level! – it is the best that I can be for those 26 guys.”
Grand Central Publishing
Brown says that success comes down to “finding out who you are, whatever that is, and being the best at it that you can be.”
It’s a lesson in finding contentment built on a foundation of humility and gratitude: “Humility has nothing to do with your achievements; it’s about feeling for the rest of us,” said Brown. “Gratitude for where you are, who you are, what you’re becoming, even if it’s not all you want it to be.”
Axelrod said, “There are lessons to what you learn talking to backup catchers that have great value even outside a baseball stadium: Be a part of the team and take pride and pleasure in that. You work a long time, and you’ll find personal satisfaction.”
“I think that’s true on a baseball field; it’s true on a Broadway stage; it’s true at the Hollywood Bowl,” Brown said.
Kayla Pecchioni is walking, talking, singing, dancing proof of Brown’s point. At 31 she’s just getting started on Broadway, which she said was beyond her wildest dreams as a kid. As an understudy in the musical “Paradise Square,” Pecchioni brought the audience to its feet when she’s subbed for the lead.
Axelrod asked, “Doesn’t part of you, after that experience, think to yourself, I want more of that?“
“Yeah. Yeah. It has to, right?” Pecchioni replied. “Like, when you have that highlight on you, it’s such a beautiful moment.”
As an understudy, Kayla Pecchioni stepped into the star’s role in the Broadway musical “Paradise Square.”
Kayla Pecchioni
But she’s a prodigy when it comes to how she pursues her career – and finding happiness in pursuit of something as finicky and elusive as stardom. “Have you ever heard of the term glimmers?” she said. “Glimmers are small moments in life that make you appreciative of very everyday mundane things. And I think a superpower of mine is to see the glimmers.”
And as Mark Rivera will tell you, there are plenty of glimmers to be found, even in the shadows – never playing a gig without those essential component parts Tim Brown has identified: humility and gratitude. “The more grateful I become, or the more grateful I feel for the opportunity to step into the light, and to realize the humility takes me back out of the light,” Rivera said. “I love what I do. I genuinely love what I do!”
For more info:
Story produced by Amiel Weisfogel. Editor: Remington Korper.
Jim Axelrod is the chief investigative correspondent and senior national correspondent for CBS News, reporting for “CBS This Morning,” “CBS Evening News,” “CBS Sunday Morning” and other CBS News broadcasts.
NEW YORK (AP) — Billy Joel is finally moving out of his monthly perch at Madison Square Garden. The singer-songwriter says he will conclude his residency in July 2024 with his 150th lifetime performance at the venue.
“It’s hard to believe we’ve been able to do this for 10 years,” Joel said at a news conference Thursday. “I’m now 74. I’ll be 75 next year. It seems like a nice number.”
The record-breaking residency began in January 2014 with Joel playing one show every month at the Garden for, as he said at the time, “as long as the demand continues.”
In January 2015, Joel broke his own record of the “most consecutive performances by any artist” with the 13th show of the residency and a new banner was raised to the Garden’s rafters.
In July 2015, with his 65th lifetime show, Joel broke another record for the “most lifetime performances by any artist,” for which another banner was raised. Both of Joel’s banners continue to hang at the Garden.
“There’s only one thing that’s more New York than Billy Joel — and that’s a Billy Joel concert at MSG,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “For more than 50 years, Billy’s music has defined our city and brought us together. On behalf of 8.5 million New Yorkers, congratulations, Billy, on a historic run of sold-out shows at MSG, and thank you for a lifetime of bringing joy to us all.”
Joel has had 33 Top 40 hits, including three No. 1s — “It’s Still Rock and Roll To Me,” “We Didn’t Start the Fire” and “Tell Her About It” — and four No. 1 albums — “52nd Street,” “Glass Houses,” “Storm Front” and “River of Dreams.”
He won six Grammys — as well as a Grammy Legend Award in 1990 — as well as being inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1992.
Saturday marks the 16th annual “Record Store Day.” Several special-edition album releases are expected to mark the celebration — including from Taylor Swift, Billy Joel, Carole King, The Rolling Stones and Madonna. Neal Becton, the owner of Som Records in Washington, D.C., spoke with CBS News about the lasting popularity of vinyl.
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
Too many innocent people to count have died at the hands of devout Swifties, hell-bent on revenge. For your own safety, never say these things to a Taylor Swift fan.
2 / 23
“Her negligence led to a massive ground beef recall.”
“Her negligence led to a massive ground beef recall.”
Unless you have a death wish, we would avoid blaming Taylor for any nationwide E. coli outbreaks.
3 / 23
“We have no idea where Taylor Swift was the morning of April 19th, 1995.”
“We have no idea where Taylor Swift was the morning of April 19th, 1995.”
Sure, we’ve been told that Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols had no help blowing up the FBI headquarters in Oklahoma City, but Taylor’s lack of an alibi can’t be ignored.
4 / 23
“I don’t care if you got tickets, young lady. You’re not going out on a school night.”
“I don’t care if you got tickets, young lady. You’re not going out on a school night.”
Mom, come on!
5 / 23
“She doesn’t even design her own album art.”
“She doesn’t even design her own album art.”
Taylor’s fans hate being confronted with the fact that her Photoshop and Illustrator skills are mediocre at best.
6 / 23
“Her Capital One ads are uninspired.”
“Her Capital One ads are uninspired.”
This is very insulting because all Taylor Swift fans watch these commercials on a loop for several hours each day.
7 / 23
“Every musician has their strengths and weaknesses.”
“Every musician has their strengths and weaknesses.”
Eat shit and die, how about that?
8 / 23
“I loved her ‘Piano Man’ era.”
“I loved her ‘Piano Man’ era.”
This is a common mistake, but that’s actually Billy Joel.
9 / 23
“The Ticketmaster/LiveNation merger was extremely problematic long before you saw fit to take notice.”
“The Ticketmaster/LiveNation merger was extremely problematic long before you saw fit to take notice.”
Look, an antitrust ally is an antitrust ally, regardless of how they got there, okay?
10 / 23
“My favorite folklore is ‘Botan Dōrō.’”
“My favorite folklore is ‘Botan Dōrō.’”
No offense to the Japanese people, but this haunting parable about loving a ghost has nothing on the song “cardigan.”
11 / 23
“I know that her nice girl image is fake because she regularly eggs my house.”
“I know that her nice girl image is fake because she regularly eggs my house.”
No need to ruin the façade for them too.
12 / 23
“She can only summon lightning when it’s stormy out.”
“She can only summon lightning when it’s stormy out.”
Taylor can and will strike you dead by lightning on a sunny day just for saying that.
13 / 23
“More people are deserving of the Nobel Prize in physics.”
“More people are deserving of the Nobel Prize in physics.”
I guess you haven’t read her research as the lead scientist of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN.
14 / 23
“I’ve written more songs about John Mayer.”
“I’ve written more songs about John Mayer.”
That’s just a weird thing to brag about.
“She can’t dance!”
Well, neither could Martin Luther King Jr., but we still listen to all his bops.
16 / 23
“Taylor Swift is just a stage name. Her real name is Ogbert McCarthy.”
“Taylor Swift is just a stage name. Her real name is Ogbert McCarthy.”
Don’t be mean, there’s no need to spoil her mystique.
17 / 23
“Midnights is good but it’s no Der Ring des Nibelungen.”
“Midnights is good but it’s no Der Ring des Nibelungen.”
While it’s fair to say that Midnights doesn’t hold a candle to Wagner’s 15-hour epic opera, it’s not nice to remind people about that.
18 / 23
“She’s just for teen girls.”
“She’s just for teen girls.”
No, she was just for teen girls, but now those teen girls are 30 and have developed an appetite for revenge.
“The dubstep icon?”
Swifties have worked hard to forget Taylor’s brief electronic dance music phase back in the aughts.
20 / 23
“I work for Ticketmaster.”
“I work for Ticketmaster.”
You really shouldn’t tell anybody that.
21 / 23
“I’m really only into K-Pop”
“I’m really only into K-Pop”
It’s just a matter of time before she dominates that genre as well.
22 / 23
“She’s going to die someday, just like everyone else.”
“She’s going to die someday, just like everyone else.”
No, you’ll die someday. And according to the posts on Taylor Swift message boards, that day is today.
