Billy Joel is one of the most beloved and successful singer-songwriters in history. With over 150 million records sold worldwide, Joel ranks as one of the best-selling artists of all time. He has had over 40 Billboard Top 40 hits and has received numerous honors, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Although Joel is now in his 70s, he still performs live concerts regularly and draws huge crowds of adoring fans. So the short answer is – yes, Billy Joel is still actively touring and putting on shows.
Billy Joel’s Background
William Martin Joel was born on May 9, 1949 in the Bronx, New York. He grew up on Long Island and began taking piano lessons at a young age. Joel joined his first band as a teenager and went on to play with various groups in the late 1960s. His first solo album, Cold Spring Harbor, was released in 1971.
Joel’s big break came in 1973 when he began a residency at a Los Angeles nightclub called The Executive Room. His energetic live performances earned him a record deal with Columbia Records. Over the next several years, Joel released several hit albums including Piano Man, Streetlife Serenade, and Turnstiles.
In 1977, Joel’s fifth studio album The Stranger became his first top 10 album in the US. It contained the hit singles “Just the Way You Are,” “Movin’ Out,” and “Only the Good Die Young.” For the next several decades, Joel continued releasing best-selling, critically acclaimed albums including 52nd Street, Glass Houses, An Innocent Man, and The Bridge.
Key highlights
- Born in 1949 in the Bronx, New York
- Began taking piano lessons as a child
- Joined first band as a teenager
- Released debut solo album Cold Spring Harbor in 1971
- Became famous for live shows at Los Angeles nightclub in 1973
- Signed to Columbia Records and released several hit albums in the 1970s like Piano Man and The Stranger
- Continued putting out best-selling albums through the 1980s and 1990s
Joel’s Legendary Concert Tours
Billy Joel has embarked on numerous concert tours over the decades. He is known for his energetic, hit-filled live shows which provide an entertaining journey through his entire catalog. Some of Joel’s most famous tours include:
The Stranger Tour
Joel’s first major arena tour in 1978 promoted his album The Stranger. It featured Joel and his backing band performing hits like “Just the Way You Are” and “Only the Good Die Young.”
Glass Houses Tour
In 1980-1981, this tour supported Joel’s Grammy-winning album Glass Houses. Joel mimicked the album’s black-and-white comic style by dressing in a leather jacket and sunglasses.
An Innocent Man Tour
This 1983-1984 tour featured tracks from Joel’s doo-wop inspired album An Innocent Man. Joel and his band brought the retro sounds to life in their live show.
The Bridge Tour
Joel returned to arenas in 1986-1987 to promote his album The Bridge. The shows featured Joel alone on piano for some intimate songs.
Face to Face Tour
In 1994 and 1996, Joel toured alongside music legend Elton John. Their concerts featured duets and solo material from both artists.
Key highlights
- Began major arena tours in 1978 to support his album The Stranger
- Toured in 1980-1981 for his Grammy-winning LP Glass Houses
- The An Innocent Man tour in 1983-1984 featured doo-wop songs
- Performed solo piano segments during his 1986-1987 Bridge tour
- Co-headlined the Face to Face tour with Elton John in 1994 and 1996
Joel’s Residency at Madison Square Garden
In 2013, Billy Joel began an open-ended monthly residency at New York City’s famous Madison Square Garden. The unprecedented residency originally scheduled concerts only through 2014. However, due to overwhelming popularity and demand for tickets, Joel has extended the residency numerous times.
So far, he has performed over 100 monthly shows at the iconic venue. As of October 2023, Joel continues to schedule new concert dates at MSG. The residency has become a New York tradition, with Joel trotting out hits, rarities, and covers at each energetic gig. Some key facts about the historic residency:
Residency Facts
Start Date | January 27, 2014 |
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Number of Concerts | Over 100 as of October 2023 |
Total Attendance | Over 2 million |
Setlist Length | 24 songs per show typically |
Notable Songs Played | “Piano Man,” “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant,” “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” “Uptown Girl,” “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me” |
The monthly residency has become a remarkable late career achievement for Joel. He has carved out a permanent place for himself at one of America’s most famous venues.
Joel’s 2022 Tour Plans
In addition to his ongoing Madison Square Garden residency, Billy Joel continues to book larger scale tours as well. He typically schedules blocks of stadium shows each summer.
In 2022, Joel has a busy slate of tour dates on the books. Here are some highlights of his 2022 concert schedule:
Key 2022 Tour Dates
- April 8 – Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX
- April 23 – NRG Stadium in Houston, TX
- May 19 – Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC
- June 24 – Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA
- July 15 – SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, CA
- August 11 – Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI
- August 14 – Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MO
- September 23 – Fenway Park in Boston, MA
The 2022 itinerary includes stadiums and ballparks across America. Joel continues to draw huge crowds nearing his mid-70s. Reviews of recent shows praise his energetic performance style and timeless song catalog.
Why Joel Remains a Top Touring Act
Billy Joel’s ability to keep packing venues year after year comes down to several factors:
Universal, Cross-Generational Appeal
Joel’s songs provide appeal across demographics. Everyone from teenagers to grandparents know the words to anthems like “Piano Man” and “Uptown Girl.”
Timeless, Memorable Hits
Listening to immortal classics like “Just the Way You Are” and “She’s Always a Woman” instantly transport fans back decades. Joel’s tunes are embedded in American pop culture.
Shows Change All the Time
Joel shakes up his setlists, mixes up arrangements, and pulls out rarities to surprise fans. His shows feel fresh even for longtime fans.
Relatable Persona
Unlike some distant rock gods, Joel comes across as an everyday guy up there on stage. His blue collar image and self-deprecating humor endear him to crowds.
Non-Stop Energy
For nearly three hours, Joel rolls through his catalog with joy and passion. His energetic delivery rivals musicians half his age.
Consummate Live Performer
While some artists sound better in the studio, Joel’s talents as pianist, singer, and bandleader shine through in concert. He was born to command the stage.
Joel’s Future Touring Plans
Given his seemingly indefatigable appetite for live performance, Joel’s tours show no signs of stopping. He continues to reveal plans for more shows well into the future.
In a 2022 interview, Joel stated that he aims to play every MLB ballpark and NFL stadium in the coming years. He also has open invitations to perform anywhere in the world. Joel estimates he could keep up his touring pace for another 10-15 years if health permits.
Of course, Joel’s Madison Square Garden residency remains ongoing as well. He’ll surely play dozens more shows at MSG in the years ahead. Billy Joel usually locks up his tour plans 6-12 months in advance. But fans can count on the Piano Man rocking arenas for as long as possible.
Conclusion
In summary, Billy Joel remains one of the most popular and reliable touring acts today – even approaching 50 years into his career. His residency at Madison Square Garden rolls on indefinitely. And Joel continues plotting tours every summer to stadiums and ballparks nationwide.
Joel’s universal song catalog, spirited live talents, and tireless work ethic keep the crowds coming year after year. The Piano Man seemingly has an endless reservoir of energy to deliver nostalgic hits and keyboard pyrotechnics on stage. For devoted fans everywhere, the thrill of seeing Billy Joel in concert will never get old. He is truly one of the greatest entertainers of all time.