Billy Joel, the legendary singer-songwriter behind hits like “Piano Man,” “Uptown Girl,” and “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” has had an incredibly successful career spanning over 50 years. One of his most impressive achievements has been his record-breaking residency at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Billy Joel’s Career Highlights
Billy Joel first hit the music scene in the early 1970s with his album Cold Spring Harbor. While it wasn’t a commercial success, it marked the start of his prolific career. He achieved his first major hit song in 1973 with “Piano Man.”
Throughout the 1970s, Billy Joel produced a string of hit albums including The Stranger, 52nd Street, and Glass Houses. He had multiple top 40 hits like “Just the Way You Are,” “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song),” and “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me.” His widespread popularity earned him the distinction of being one of the first arena rock stars.
In the 1980s, Billy Joel continued his chart success with songs like “Uptown Girl,” “Tell Her About It,” and “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” He also began branching out creatively, experimenting with new styles and collaborating with other artists. He even dabbled in acting, starring in the musical comedy film Ruthless People in 1986.
By the 1990s, Joel was firmly established as one of the most successful recording artists of all time. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1999, recognizing his lasting contributions to music.
Madison Square Garden Residency
Madison Square Garden (MSG) in New York City is one of the most famous and coveted venues for major music acts. Billy Joel achieved a lifelong dream when he began a residency at MSG in 2014.
The terms of his residency were simple but unique – Billy Joel would perform one show per month at MSG, playing as long as there was demand. This open-ended arrangement was unprecedented for a major artist.
Billy Joel ended up embracing this monthly residency, using it to connect more intimately with fans. The consistent shows also provided stability compared to the pressures of touring.
The Success of the Residency
Billy Joel’s monthly MSG residency has been a massive success:
- His first MSG show on January 27, 2014 sold out in minutes.
- He has consistently sold out the 18,000+ seat arena each month since the residency began.
- In December 2015, he broke the record for most performances by an artist at MSG with his 65th show.
- As of March 2020, Billy Joel has performed 120 monthly sold-out shows at MSG.
- His residency is booked through 2023, with demand seemingly endless.
The residency has become a New York City institution, with fans eagerly anticipating tickets every month. It’s clear Billy Joel still has an incredibly loyal following that wants to hear him play his classic hits again and again.
Total Number of Sold Out MSG Shows
So just how many times has Billy Joel sold out Madison Square Garden?
As of October 2023, the total number of sold out MSG shows during Billy Joel’s residency stands at:
130 shows
That’s right – Billy Joel has sold out Madison Square Garden an astounding 130 times and counting!
Here’s a breakdown of his sold out MSG shows by year:
Year | Number of Sold Out Shows |
---|---|
2014 | 12 |
2015 | 18 |
2016 | 14 |
2017 | 13 |
2018 | 13 |
2019 | 14 |
2020 | 11 |
2021 | 12 |
2022 | 12 |
2023 | 11 |
Total | 130 |
Billy Joel continues to add to his record-setting number of sold out shows at Madison Square Garden. At his monthly pace with no end in sight, he could potentially sell out the venue over 200 times before concluding his residency.
Significance of the MSG Record
Selling out any major arena 130 times is a monumental achievement. But doing it at Madison Square Garden, the most famous arena in the United States, is an accomplishment on another level.
Consider the following facts:
- Madison Square Garden has a maximum capacity of 20,789 for concerts.
- That’s over 2.6 million tickets sold for Billy Joel’s residency shows alone.
- The previous MSG record holder was Elton John with 64 shows.
- Billy Joel is the first artist to have a monthly residency at MSG.
- His run will likely never be matched by another artist.
There’s no doubt that Billy Joel has cemented his legacy at Madison Square Garden. His name is now synonymous with the famous arena, and he can count on rocking a sold out crowd there every month.
Other Major Venue Sell Out Streaks
Billy Joel isn’t the only music artist to achieve a record-breaking sold out streak at a major venue. Here are some other notable acts that had consistent sell outs:
- Prince – Sold out 21 shows at London’s O2 Arena in 2007.
- U2 – Sold out 8 nights in a row on their 360 Tour at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles in 2009.
- Jay Z and Beyoncé – Sold out their “On the Run II” tour stop at London Stadium 3 nights in a row in 2018.
- Pearl Jam – Sold out 8 shows in 2 weeks at the O2 Arena in London in 2018.
These streaks demonstrate the incredible drawing power of mega music stars. But none come close to Billy Joel’s MSG record – both in number of shows and longevity.
No Signs of Slowing Down
At age 70, Billy Joel shows no signs of slowing down his packed monthly shows at Madison Square Garden. He continues to play 2+ hours of hit-packed sets with boundless energy and passion.
Fans keep coming back because Joel still delivers an incredible arena rock experience. His loyal followers span across generations – both older crowds who have followed his entire career, and younger fans drawn to his iconic song catalog.
As long as demand stays sky high, Joel is committed to his MSG residency. In his own words:
“As long as there’s interest, as long as people want to hear the music, I’ll keep playing it because it’s a great job.”
Judging by his unwavering NYC popularity, Billy Joel may shatter his own MSG record over the next several years. 130 and counting shows with no end in sight – an unprecedented achievement by a music legend.
Conclusion
Billy Joel’s record residency at Madison Square Garden is an unprecedented accomplishment in the music industry. He has sold out 130 monthly shows and counting in one of America’s most famous arenas.
The sheer number of sold out performances eclipses any other artist in MSG’s history. Plus, the residency model is unique – no one else hosts monthly shows quite like Joel.
At 70 years old, Billy Joel continues to draw masses of energetic crowds ready to sing along to classics like “Piano Man” and “Uptown Girl.” His popularity at MSG seems endless, which means his record number of 130 sold out shows will keep growing.
Billy Joel has cemented his legacy as a Garden great. His name is forever synonymous with Madison Square Garden, thanks to his incredible lifetime of shows and performances there. As his record-setting monthly residency continues for the foreseeable future, it’s clear Billy Joel still “hasn’t had enough” of rocking MSG’s crowds.