CNN
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Here’s a look at the life of Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Billy Joel.
Birth date: May 9, 1949
Birth place: Bronx, New York
Birth name: William Martin Joel
Father: Howard Joel, engineer and pianist
Mother: Rosalind (Nyman) Joel, homemaker
Marriages: Alexis Roderick (2015-present); Katie Lee (2004-2009, divorced); Christie Brinkley (1985-1994, divorced); Elizabeth Weber (1973-1982, divorced)
Children: with Alexis Roderick: Remy Anne and Della Rose; with Christie Brinkley: Alexa Ray
Nominated for 23 Grammy Awards and won five, plus an honorary award.
Nominated for one Tony Award and won.
Nominated for one Primetime Emmy Award but did not win.
His father was a Holocaust survivor from Germany.
Named one of the 100 greatest songwriters of all time by Rolling Stone.
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.
1999 – Ray Charles inducts Joel into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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.
January 2014 – Begins his run as the first musical act to perform monthly shows at Madison Square Garden in New York. On June 1, MSG Entertainment announces Joel will end his ten-year, record-breaking residency at MSG. The final concert, his 150th lifetime show, will take place in July 2024.
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.”
November 19, 2014 – Is awarded the 6th Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
March 23, 2016 – Joel’s hit single, “Piano Man,” is selected by the National Recording Registry for preservation in the Library of Congress.
March 10, 2023 – Joel and Stevie Nicks kick off their co-headlining tour at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
February 1, 2024 – Joel releases his first new single in 17 years, titled “Turn the Lights Back On.”
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.
the first female stand-up comedian — could be as raunchy as her younger, male counterparts, but with a slyness that proved her comic genius. ” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”3343″ width=”2574″ loading=’lazy’/>
the New York Post wrote in 2015, six decades into Lily Tomlin’s celebrated career. Anyone who’s seen Tomlin’s incredible ability to transform into just about any comedic character, from the nosy telephone operator Ernestine to the mischievous 5-year-old Edith Ann, would agree. ” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”3000″ width=”2367″ loading=’lazy’/>
sexual assault conviction against Bill Cosby this year has, for many, overshadowed his long-standing comedy career. Starting in the 1960s, Cosby brought a new perspective to stand-up that was distinct in both its insight and its style, as witnessed on the celebrated comedy album “To Russell, My Brother, Whom I Slept With.” From the stage Cosby moved on to film and TV, where he created the groundbreaking comedy series about a middle-class African-American family, “The Cosby Show.”” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”3824″ width=”2538″ loading=’lazy’/>
accused him of sexually assaulting her as a child, an allegation Allen denies. What is clear is that his contributions to the art form and influence on the genre — whether it’s as a stand-up comic, a writer, or filmmaker with iconic titles like “Annie Hall” — can’t be understated. ” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”3159″ width=”4739″ loading=’lazy’/>
says producer Michael Saltzman, who is currently at work on a new sitcom that will bring Burnett back to TV. ” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1125″ width=”2000″ loading=’lazy’/>
One of comedy’s most prestigious honors, the Mark Twain Prize, describes to a “T” what makes Bill Murray so special. Throughout his more than 40-year career, Murray has majorly impacted American society “as a social commentator, satirist, creator of memorable characters … and fearless observer of society.” ” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1125″ width=”2000″ loading=’lazy’/>
GQ put it in an expansive profile, mentoring comics from Judd Apatow and Ricky Gervais to Sarah Silverman and Adam Sandler.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1080″ width=”1920″ loading=’lazy’/>
The Atlantic put it when Letterman departed “Late Show” in 2011, he might be “the last true innovator” in the genre. ” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1872″ width=”2958″ loading=’lazy’/>
police said the singer struck a paparazzo with his truck while trying to drive away from an event in Beverly Hills. Video from the incident appeared to show Bieber attempting to aid the man he hit. No citations were issued. ” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1080″ width=”1920″/>
accused of allegedly punching a fan in Barcelona in November 2016. Video of the incident appeared to show the singer’s hand making contact with the young man’s face which was bloodied after the fan leaned into Bieber’s vehicle. ” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1837″ width=”2448″ loading=’lazy’/>
by pleading guilty to careless driving and resisting arrest. And he is on probation for a 
the pop star was plagued by the emergence of videos of himself as a young teen using racially offensive language. Then, in July, 
Bieber was cleared in an attempted robbery case. 
Bieber being a hostile witness during a deposition the month before likely didn’t help sway the petitioners’ perception of him as “dangerous and reckless.”” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1125″ width=”2000″ loading=’lazy’/>
searched Bieber’s private airplane — thought to be the one pictured — January 31, 2014, at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. Officers said they detected an odor of what seemed like marijuana after the plane landed, law enforcement sources told CNN. Drug-sniffing dogs were used to search the plane, according to one of the sources, but no sign of drugs were detected and no illegal substances were found. 
Bieber turned himself in at a Toronto police station on January 29, 2014, facing an assault charge stemming from an encounter with a limousine driver in December. But 
Bieber was arrested on suspicion of DUI and drag racing, according to police in Miami Beach, Florida. Bieber, seen here with model Chantel Jeffries the night before his arrest, eventually pleaded guilty of careless driving and resisting arrest. He also made a $50,000 donation to a youth charity as part of the plea deal.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”2400″ width=”3600″ loading=’lazy’/>
a plea deal, Bieber was sentenced to two years’ probation. He was also ordered to complete 12 weekly anger management sessions, work five days of community labor and pay $80,900 in restitution to his former neighbor.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1125″ width=”2000″ loading=’lazy’/>
speeding to spitting. The news made 
New York Post’s Page Six alleged that Bieber had been spotted exiting a brothel while in Brazil. Then, 
carry him up the stairs at the Great Wall of China.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”581″ width=”599″ loading=’lazy’/>
seemed to show Bieber relieving himself in a janitor’s mop bucket and then spraying a photo of Bill Clinton with what appeared to be a cleaner fluid while saying “F*** Bill Clinton.” 
reportedly involved in a Los Angeles accident involving a pedestrian.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”3078″ width=”3168″ loading=’lazy’/>
the magazine reported. ” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”2409″ width=”3375″ loading=’lazy’/>
attempted to grab him during a concert in the United Arab Emirates. Also that month, a safe in a stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, 
and was promptly criticized for saying that he hoped the teen, who died in a Nazi concentration camp in 1945, would have been a “Belieber.” Visitors to the Anne Frank Facebook page had plenty to say. “Glad he went, but, the last sentence is VERY self serving. he missed the lessons of Anne totally,” wrote one observer.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”900″ width=”1600″ loading=’lazy’/>
was taken by custom officials in Germany at the end of March 2013. Mally is shown here in the quarantine station at the Munich-Riem animal shelter in Munich.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”2727″ width=”4096″ loading=’lazy’/>
“worst birthday.” Not only was he ragged on by actress Olivia Wilde for going shirtless in the city, he also had a bit of beef with a “weak a** club.”” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”900″ width=”1600″ loading=’lazy’/>
ticked off his fans in March 2013 after he showed up a reported two hours late to a concert at London’s O2 Arena. He disputed that in a tweet, however, saying he was only 40 minutes behind schedule.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”2799″ width=”4200″ loading=’lazy’/>
telling the photographer that he’d “f*** him up.”” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”2000″ width=”3000″ loading=’lazy’/>
ragged on by Wilde for going topless in London, Bieber strolled through a Polish airport terminal sans shirt on March 25, 2013.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1101″ width=”1440″ loading=’lazy’/>
Both the “Belieber”
TMZ identified as marijuana. He poked fun of the incident when he hosted 
was killed crossing the street after taking pictures of Bieber’s Ferrari. Bieber, who wasn’t present at the scene, said in a statement: “While I was not present nor directly involved with this tragic accident, my thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim.”” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1735″ width=”3000″/>
