Die Geschichte ist schnell erzählt. 1994/ 195 arbeitete Cohen zusammen mits einer damaligen managerin an dem tribute-To Leonard Cohen-Album: Tower Of Song. Cohen fragte auch – persönlich – bei Collins an. Phil Collins hingegen erteilte Leonard Cohen eine Absage, hinter der allerdings eine nette Geschichte steckt: »Ich habe ihn gefragt, und er hat abgelehnt. Ich schrieb ihm: ›Würde Beethoven eine Einladung Mozarts ablehnen?‹ Er schrieb mir ein reizendes Fax zurück, in dem er sagte: ›Beethoven muss leider ablehnen, da Beethoven mit dem und dem auf Tour geht …‹ Es war ein sehr charmantes Fax, das er mir schickte, und ein völlig berechtigtes dazu.«  …

… und dabei hatten Collins und Cohen schon in den 80ern miteinander zun tun….nämlich bei dem „Princes Trust“-Concert in London 1988. Dort machten Sie Shake-Hands mit Lady Diana und Prince Charles….Aber das ist wieder eine ganz andere Geschichte….

•

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Van Morrison, einer der größten Soulsänger weißer Hautfarbe, feierte 2015 seinen 70. Geburtstag und verbuchte vor 50 Jahren mit der Gruppe Them die ersten Hits verbuchte (‚Here Comes The Night‘, ‚Gloria‘), Erst Anfang 2015 erschien mit ‚Duets‘ Van Morrisons 35. Studioalbum, seitdem er sich 1967 von Them trennte und sein Debütalbum ‚Blowin‘ Your Mind‘, veröffentlichte. Pünktlich zur Tour erscheint das kolossale re-issue Package ‚It’s Too Late To Stop Now (live)‘, das anerkannt als eines der besten Live Alben aller Zeiten gilt.

Das Original Album war sehr lange nicht mehr erhältlich und erscheint nun als neue 2-CD-Edition, sorgfältig remastered. Auch erhältlich als Doppel-LP.

Legacy Recordings/Sony Music veröffentlicht heute am 10. Juni in Zusammenarbeit mit Exile Productions Ltd. von Van Morrison die neue 3CD+DVD-Edition „..IT’S TOO LATE TO STOP NOW… VOLUMES II, III, IV & DVD“. Das Set präsentiert bisher unveröffentlichte Livemitschnitte von Van Morrisons legendärer 1973er Tournee mit dem Caledonia Soul Orchestra und versammelt die Highlights aus den Auftritten im „The Troubadour“ in Los Angeles, dem „Santa Monica Civic Center“ und dem „Rainbow Theatre“ in London. Auf der DVD finden sich Ausschnitte aus der Show, die im „Rainbow Theatre“ stattfand. Ursprünglich wurde der Film von der BBC ausgestrahlt und ist nun zum ersten Mal auf DVD des Sets erhältlich.

Das Original-Album stammt aus dem Jahr 1973 und die Songauswahl wurde aus acht verschiedenen Auftritten in den erwähnten Locations zusammengestellt. Bemerkenswerterweise entstand das Album ohne Overdubs oder anschließendes „Feintuning“ im Studio. Die Re-Issue-Version „..IT’S TOO LATE TO STOP NOW …VOLUME I“ erscheint nun ebenfalls am 10. Juni auf Doppel-CD und erstmals seit 25 Jahren auch als (Doppel-)Vinyl-LP. Das Album wurde in 24-bit High Resolution remastert und wird auf allen Plattformen, die Hi-Res-Alben anbieten (Mastered for iTunes, HD Tracks, Pono) verfügbar sein.

Ursprünglich wurden die Konzerte auf 16-Spur-Analogtapes aufgezeichnet. Der renommierte Toningenieur Guy Massey remasterte die Aufnahmen für das neue Set „..IT’S TOO LATE TO STOP NOW…VOLUMES II, III, IV & DVD“. Massey hatte bereits für Alben der Beatles und von Paul McCartney gearbeitet. Dem Ausnahme-Tontechniker gelingt es, die Atmosphäre der unterschiedlichen Konzerthallen spürbar zu machen. Sei es die Intimität des „Troubadour“ oder die Stimmung im „Rainbow“ mit seinen 3000 Sitzplätzen. – Der Hörer hat das Gefühl, tatsächlich live vor Ort zu sein.

„Ich werde mehr und mehr zum Live-Künstler“, sagte Van Morrison 1973 während seiner Tour mit dem neu formierten Caledonia Soul Orchestra. „Es ist unglaublich … ganz plötzlich fühlte es sich gut an, auf der Bühne zu stehen, ein Gefühl, das aus heiterem Himmel kam … in der Vergangenheit habe ich mir auf der Bühne häufig schwer getan. Aber diesmal stimmt die Chemie einfach.“

Zuschauer der 1973er Tour erlebten den Künstler in Höchstform und durften dabei sein, als Morrison fantastische Versionen der Klassiker aus seinem Repertoire vorstellte. Angefangen bei populären Songs seiner ehemaligen Band THEM bis hin zum Folk-Soul der Alben „Astral Weeks“ und „Moondance“.

Hinweis: Bei sämtlichen Aufnahmen der 3CD/DVD-Kollektion handelt es sich um bislang unveröffentlichte Live-Mitschnitte. Es gibt keinerlei Überschneidungen mit den Performances auf „..IT’S TOO LATE TO STOP NOW…VOLUME I“.

TRACKLISTING

..IT’S TOO LATE TO STOP NOW…VOLUMES II, III, IV & DVD

VOLUME II (Recorded live at The Troubadour, Los Angeles, May 23, 1973)
1. Come Running (Van Morrison)
2. These Dreams Of You (Van Morrison)
3. The Way Young Lovers Do (Van Morrison)
4. Snow In San Anselmo (Van Morrison)
5. I Just Want To Make Love To You (Willie Dixon)
6. Bring It On Home To Me (Sam Cooke)
7. Purple Heather (Van Morrison)
8. Hey, Good Lookin‘ (Hank Williams)
9. Bein‘ Green (Joseph G. Raposo)
10. Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison)
11. Listen To The Lion (Van Morrison)
12. Hard Nose The Highway (Van Morrison)
13. Moondance (Van Morrison)
14. Cyprus Avenue (Van Morrison)
15. Caravan (Van Morrison)

VOLUME III (Recorded live at the Santa Monica Civic, California, June 29. 1973)
1. I’ve Been Working (Van Morrison)
2. There There Child (Van Morrison, John Platania)
3. No Way (Jeff Labes)
4. Since I Fell For You (Woodrow Buddy Johnson)
5. Wild Night (Van Morrison)
6. I Paid The Price (Van Morrison, John Platania)
7. Domino (Van Morrison)
8. Gloria (Van Morrison)
9. Buona Sera (Carl Sigman, Peter De Rose)
10. Moonshine Whiskey (Van Morrison)
11. Ain’t Nothing You Can Do (Don D. Robey, Joseph Wade Scott)
12. Take Your Hand Out Of My Pocket (Sonny Boy Williamson)
13. Sweet Thing (Van Morrison)
14. Into The Mystic (Van Morrison)
15. I Believe To My Soul (Ray Charles)

VOLUME IV (Recorded live at The Rainbow, London, July 23 & 24, 1973)
1. Listen To The Lion (Van Morrison)
2. I Paid The Price (Van Morrison, John Platania)
3. Bein‘ Green (Joseph G. Raposo)
4. Since I Fell For You(Woodrow Buddy Johnson)
5. Into The Mystic (Van Morrison)
6. Everyone (Van Morrison)
7. I Believe To My Soul (Ray Charles)
8. Sweet Thing (Van Morrison)
9. I Just Want To Make Love To You (Willie Dixon)
10. Wild Children (Van Morrison)
11. Here Comes The Night (Bert Berns)
12. Buona Sera (Carl Sigman, Peter De Rose)
13. Domino (Van Morrison)
14. Caravan (Van Morrison)
15. Cyprus Avenue (Van Morrison)

DVD (Recorded live at The Rainbow, London, July 24, 1973)
1. Here Comes The Night (Bert Berns)
2. I Just Want To Make Love To You (Willie Dixon)
3. Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison)
4. Moonshine Whiskey (Van Morrison)
5. Moondance (Van Morrison)
6. Help Me (Ralph Bass, Willie Dixon, Sonny Boy Williamson)
7. Domino (Van Morrison)
8. Caravan (Van Morrison)
9. Cyprus Avenue (Van Morrison)

THE CALEDONIA SOUL ORCHESTRA:
Jeff Labes – piano & organ
Dave Shaw – drums
John Platania – guitar
David Hayes – bass guitar
Jack Schroer – alto, tenor, baritone saxophones
Bill Atwood – trumpet
Nathan Rubin, Tim Kovatch & Tom Halpin – violin
Nancy Ellis – viola
Terry Adams – cello

ORIGINAL RECORDINGS PRODUCED FOR CALEDONIA PRODUCTIONS, INC.
BY VAN MORRISON AND TED TEMPLEMAN

www.vanmorrison.com

Madeleine Peyroux interpretiert nicht einfach Songs, sie nimmt sie in Besitz… und wird von ihnen in Besitz genommen.

Ihr neues Album “Half The Perfect World” wurde einmal mehr in fantastischer Weise von Larry Klein produziert und ist sowohl eine Ergänzung als auch ein Kontrapunkt zu seinem Vorgänger “Careless Love”, der sich weltweit über eine Million Male verkaufte. “Dieses Album unterscheidet sich von ‘Careless Love’ schon insofern, als hier eine freudige Grundstimmung herrscht”, meint Peyroux über ihr neues Opus. “Es eröffnet mir gewisse neue Horizonte.”

Der größte Teil der Songs von “Half The Perfect World” stammt von zeitgenössischeren Künstlern wie Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Fred Neil und Joni Mitchell. Der Schlüssel zum Erfolg dieses Album ist einmal mehr Peyroux’ Geschick bei der Auswahl der Songs: Es scheint, als wären sie ihr eigens auf den Leib geschrieben worden.

Blue Alert ist von Leonard Cohen, der den Song ursprünglich für seine Lebensgefährtin Thomas Anjani schrieb und die daraus ihr ganzes „Blue Alert“-Album machte.

Nicht weniger wichtig sind aber auch Madeleine Peyroux Version und auch ihr eigenes Songwriting-Talent, das kontinuierlich weiterreift: Für “Half The Perfect World” schrieb sie mit einigen Partnern vier Stücke, die sich nahtlos in das musikalische Gesamtbild des Albums einfügen. Gemeinsam mit Larry Klein und Steely Dans Walter Becker verfasste sie die Eröffnungsnummer des Albums, das wunderbar eingängige “I’m All Right”. Die anderen Originale schrieb sie im Team mit Jesse Harris und Larry Klein, das auch schon für den Single-Hit “Don’t Wait Too Long” von “Careless Love” verantwortlich gezeichnet hatte. Abgerundet wird das Album durch Interpretationen von Standards, die aus den Federn von Leonard Cohen, Johnny Mercer, Charlie Chaplin und Serge Gainsbourg stammen.

“Half The Perfect World” ist ein Album, auf dem die Zeit still zu stehen scheint. Es steckt voller Darbietungen, bei denen die Pausen zwischen den Klängen mindestens genauso viel Bedeutung haben wie die Klänge selbst.

Und wann und wo spielte er „Hallelujah“? YOU TUBE gibt Antwort: Paul Simon and Daughter singing Hallelujah. For Children’s Health Fund Benefit Concert at Radio City Music Hall.

7. Oktober 2012; Quelle: Glidemagazine

The stars came out in force at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Thursday night for the Children’s Benefit Concert to benefit Paul Simon’s Children’s Health Fund. Joining Simon in performing at the famed venue were Stevie Wonder, Steve Martin, Sting and his wife Trudie Styler, Aaron Neville, Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson as well as a slew of famous presenters including Oprah Winfrey, Tina Fey, Spike Lee and Hillary Clinton.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCGgZP5fHx4

Konzert des Jahrzehnts!

Pop-Ikone Billy Joel in Frankfurt

Sensationelle Rückkehr des Pianoman nach 10 Jahren

150 Millionen CDs , 33 Top-Hits, 6 Grammies

Einziges Deutschland Konzert in der Commerzbank Arena

Foto: Billy Joel 1994 in der Frankfurter Festhalle; Foto: Christof Graf

Ein ganzes Jahrzehnt mussten die Fans auf diese Nachricht warten. Jetzt können sie einen der populärsten und erfolgreichsten Künstler aller Zeiten endlich wieder live erleben. Amerikas Pop-Ikone Billy Joel kommt 2016 zu einer singulären Open Air Show nach Frankfurt. Am 03. September bildet die Commerzbank Arena, eines der schönsten Stadien Europas, den perfekten Rahmen für das einzige Konzert im gesamten deutschsprachigen Raum.

Der virtuose Pianoman Billy Joel wird jede Phase seiner beispiellosen Karriere mit knapp 30 Songs in rund zweieinhalb Stunden nachzeichnen. Voller Leidenschaft und in unglaublicher Qualität demonstriert der mit sechs Grammys ausgezeichnete Superstar seine musikalische Meisterschaft ebenso wie seine Entertainer-Qualitäten.

Billy Joel zählt in allen Sparten des Musikgeschäfts zu den absolut besten seines Fachs. Seit Anfang der 70er begeistert er ein Millionenpublikum mit seinem genialen Songkanon. Mehr als 150 Millionen Tonträger, 33 Single-Hits, 23 Grammy Nominierungen sowie zahllose weitere Ehrungen unterstreichen seine absolute Ausnahmestellung.

Als einziger Künstler des Pop-Rock-Genres spielt er monatlich vor ausverkauftem Haus in einer der legendären Arenen der Welt, dem Madison Square Garden in New York, den er nunmehr 25 mal in Folge gefüllt hat, insgesamt unfassbare 71 mal!

Billy Joel, der manchmal ruhelose, stets liebenswerte Interpret ist und bleibt der wahre Meister musikalischer Kurzgeschichten. Er ist ein Pop-Lyriker, der mit seiner Ballade vom „Angry Young Man“ – dem wütenden jungen Mann -, mit dem genialen Blues „New York State of Mind“, „Miami 2017“, dem Mini-Epos über den Tag, als am Broadway die Lichter ausgingen, über „Just Rock’n’ Roll To Me“, dem Song zur Stahlarbeiterkrise „Allentown“, der Vietnam-Novelle „Good Night, Saigon“ und dem Pop-Stenogramm der Nachkriegsgeschichte „We Didn’t Start The Fire“ zu einer lebenden Legende wurde, die nichts von ihrer Aktualität eingebüßt hat.

Aufgewachsen in der Bronx, lernte er bereits als Kind Klavier spielen. Ein TV-Auftritt der Beatles in der legendären Ed Sullivan-Show prägte ihn und seine Musik entscheidend. Nach Etüden mit Bands wie Echoes, Hassels und Attila versuchte er sich als Kritiker und mit Werbe-Jingles, bevor er mit „Cold Spring Harbour“ 1971 seine erste eigene Platte veröffentlichte.

Nach einem Intermezzo als Bar- und Nachtklub-Pianist schaffte er mit „Pianoman“ 1973 einen Achtungserfolg, den er mit „Streetlife Serenade“ 1974 festigte, bevor er mit „Turnstiles“ 1976 seine Meisterprüfung ablegte.

„The Stranger“ etablierte ihn 1977 als Superstar, ein Status, der durch die Alben „52nd Street“ (1978) und „Glass Houses“ (1980) endgültig bestätigt wurde. „Nylon Curtain“ (1982) wurde wegen seiner gesellschaftskritischen Ausrichtung von Kritikern hochgelobt, bevor Billy mit seinem brillanten „An Innocent Man“ 1983 erneut seinen Multi-Platinum-Status unter Beweis stellte, den er mit „Greatest Hits Volume I & II“ (1985), „Storm Front“ (1989) und „River Of Dreams“ (1994) wiederholte. Unvergesslich seine Russlandtournee 1987 mit der Performance in Leningrad, die er mit der gleichnamigen Hitsingle verewigte.

 Live-Shows von Billy Joel sind Meilensteine der Konzertgeschichte. Seine heiß begehrten Auftritte gelten als unübertrefflich, denn kaum ein Rockstar versteht es, seinem Publikum so viel zu bieten wie er. Billy Joel steht immer für eine überragende Qualität. „Er ist der Rock-Entertainer, der virtuos alle Erwartungen mehr als erfüllt!“, bescheinigte die „Welt“. „Billy Joel ist ein Klassiker, seine temperamentvollen, witzig-würzigen Rockshows sind Sternstunden“, schrieb die FAZ.

Marek Lieberberg presents

Billy Joel

In Concert 2016

Einziges Konzert in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz

 03.09.16               Frankfurt               Commerzbank Arena

Eine Co-Produktion der Marek Lieberberg Konzertagentur und Live Nation.

Eine Auswahl der größten Hits von Billy Joel

Billy Joel Timeline

1949     William Martin Joel is born in the Bronx, NY. on May 9. The family moves to the Levittown section of Hicksville on Long Island where he spends his childhood and young adult years.

1953     Begins studying piano.

1963     Joins his first band, The Echoes, later known as The Lost Souls.

1967     Joins The Hassles, a Long Island-based band, and records the The Hassles, the first of two albums for United Artists,.

1968     The Hassles record their second album Hour of the Wolf.

1970     Forms Attila, a heavy metal duo with Hassles‘ drummer, Jon Small. Attila records one album on Epic Records.

1971     Signs a solo recording contract and releases his first album, Cold Spring Harbor.

Commences a world tour with his band to promote Cold Spring Harbor.

Disappears to the West Coast as a result of a contractual dispute, where he performs in piano bars under the name Bill Martin.

1972     WMMR-FM, a radio station in Philadelphia, starts playing a tape of a new song, ‘Captain Jack,’ taken from a live concert broadcast.

Although he does his best to keep a low profile in Los Angeles, the notoriety of ‘Captain Jack’ prompts Columbia Records to track him down and offer him a recording contract.

1973     He is signed to Columbia Records by the legendary Clive Davis and records the album Piano Man in Los Angeles.

1974     The song ‘Piano Man’ becomes his first top 20 single & first gold album.

1975     Records Streetlife Serenade in Los Angeles. The album garners the first of many music industry awards to come, including a Cashbox award for Best New Male Vocalist.

Begins to gather recognition as a live concert attraction as a result of extensive touring, culminating in a sell-out concert performance at New York City’s famed Carnegie Hall

1976     Returns to New York, assembles a new band and records Turnstiles. Embarks on his first headline concert tour.

1977     Writes, records and releases The Stranger, his first collaboration with producer Phil Ramone. From the time of its release in 1977 until 1985, The Stranger is Columbia Records’ biggest selling album

1978     The song ‘Just the Way You Are’ captures two Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

Releases 52nd St. which becomes his first #1 album.

1979     Travels to Cuba for Havana Jam, an historic three day event at the Karl Marx Theater.

Headlines a benefit concert for the Long Island based Charity Begins At Home.

1980     Glass Houses reaches #1 on the Billboard Album Chart and remains there for six weeks. ‘It’s Still Rock N Roll to Me’ becomes his first #1 single.

Receives an American Music Award for Album of the Year.

1981     Wins Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male at the 1981 Grammy Awards, as well as a People’s Choice Award for Favorite Male Pop Performer.

Releases a live album, Songs in the Attic, which becomes his fourth consecutive top ten album.

1982     Sustains serious injury to both hands in a motorcycle accident while recording the The Nylon Curtain. After a two month recovery period, the album is completed. The Nylon Curtain reaches #7 on the Billboard Album Chart and earns a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year.

1983     Writes and records the album An Innocent Man which reaches #4 on the Billboard charts and is nominated for a Grammy Award for Album of the Year. The album generates six Top 40 singles, three of which make it to the Top 10, including ‘Uptown Girl’ which receives a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male.

Columbia Records re-releases Cold Spring Harbor.

1985     Greatest Hits Volume I and Volume II is released and becomes his seventh consecutive top 10 album. ‘You’re Only Human (Second Wind)’ becomes his eighth Top 10 single.

Joins fellow musicians John Mellencamp and Randy Newman for Farm Aid I, and participates in USA For Africa.

Marries model Christie Brinkley. Their daughter Alexa Ray is born at the end of the year.

The Bridge album is released featuring collaborations with Ray Charles, Cyndi Lauper, and Steve Winwood.

1987     Becomes the first U.S. pop star to bring a full rock production to the Soviet Union. He performs in Moscow and in Leningrad. The two-disc live album Kohuept (the Russian word for concert) is released in October.

1988     Performs at Radio City Music Hall with Hall & Oates and Cyndi Lauper at a concert to benefit the New York Police Athletic League.

1989     Begins working with Producer Mick Jones and records Storm Front. The first single ‘We Didn’t Start The Fire’ reaches #1 on Billboard singles charts.

Storm Front receives Grammy nominations for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male and Producer of the Year. ‘We Didn’t Start The Fire’ receives nominations for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male.

1991     Presented with the Grammy Legend Award.

Performs The Concert for the Bays and the Baymen at the Jones Beach Amphitheater to benefit marine-related groups.

1991     Performs two USO concerts in the Philippines at Clark Air Force Base and Subic Naval Base during the Persian Gulf War.

Headlines Back At the Ranch, a concert to benefit Long Island environmental groups and joins Don Henley and Sting at Madision Square Garden atThe Concert for Walden Woods.

1993     Records River Of Dreams which debuts at #1 on the Billboard Album Chart. The single ‘The River of Dreams’ also debuts at #1 on Billboard Hot 100 Chart where it stays for three weeks. In addition,the single spends 12 weeks at #1 on the Adult Contemporary Chart, setting a new record.

Joins a star-studded cast for a performance to benefit AIDS Project Los Angeles.

1994     Receives four Grammy nominations including Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male for the song ‘The River of Dreams’ and Album of the Year for River of Dreams.

Teams up with Elton John for an historic summer stadium tour of the U.S.

Marriage to Christie Brinkley ends.

The RIAA certifies Songs in the Attic and The Nylon Curtain for sales of 2 million units which moves him into a tie with the Beatles as the act with the most multiplatinum albums.

Presented with the Billboard Century Award.

1995     Experiences the disastrous Kobe earthquake while on tour in Japan. Donates proceeds from two concerts in Osaka to local earthquake relief efforts.

Performs with Sting and others at the Rainforest Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall.

1996     Hits the college lecture circuit with „An Evening of Questions, Answers…and a Little Music.‰ He speaks at 32 different schools.

Starts The Long Island Boat Company to build the Shelter Island Runabout 38’, a classic powerboat designed by Joel. By 1999, 20 boats are sold.

1997     Releases Greatest Hits Volume III.

Presented with the prestigious ASCAP’s Founder’s Award for lifetime achievement.

1998     Commences a solo tour of the United States and Canada, and reprises the ‘Face to Face’ tour with Elton John in Japan and Australia.

Performs with Sting and others at the Rainforest Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall.

1999     Presented with the American Music Awards’ Award of Merit.

Worldwide sales top the 100 million unit mark.

Reunites with Sting and others at the Rainforest Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall.

Received the RIAA Diamond Award for Greatest Hits Volume I and Volume II. The Diamond Award is presented for albums that have sold over 10 million copies. Greatest Hits Volume I and II is the highest certified greatest hits album by a male artist with over 20 million albums sold.

Ray Charles inducts Billy Joel into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

2000     Presented with The James Smithson Bicentennial Medal from The Smithsonian Institution.

Releases Billy Joel 2000 Years – The Millenium Concert.

Received an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Long Island University – Southampton College.

Friday, June 16 attends a press conference with the President of the United States, Bill Clinton, and John Sykes (VH1) for Save The Music to donate musical instruments in an effort to restore music programs in the New York City Public Schools. College.

Sings the National Anthem on October 21 at Yankee Stadium for the opening game of the New York Yankees 2000 Baseball World Series (Subway Series) versus the New York Mets.

Performs „Goodbye Yellow Brick Road“ in December at Madison Square Garden with Elton John for Elton’s TV special One Night Only.

2001     Joins forces with Elton John to kickoff the Face to Face 2001 Tour beginning in San Diego, CA on January 19, 2001.

On June 14, Billy is awarded the Johnny Mercer Award at the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame Dinner in New York City.

On September 21, Billy Joel performed „New York State of Mind“ on the America: A Tribute To Heroes special that aired on 31 networks simultaneously.

2002     Billy Joel is named Music Cares Person of the Year 2002.

Movin‘ Out opens on October 24.

Billy Joel and Toots Thielemans perform at the Blue Note on October 29.

2007     Billy Joel set to perform the National Anthem at Super Bowl XLI .

Columbia Records will release „All My Life,“ the long-awaited new pop single from the iconic singer/songwriter/performer Billy Joel. „All My Life“ is Billy’s first new pop music since his 5x platinum Grammy-nominated album, River of Dreams, was released in 1993.

________________________________________

Grammy Awards

1978     Record of the Year        Just the Way You Are (song)

1978     Song of the Year           Just the Way You Are (song)

1979     Album of the Year         52nd Street (album)

1979     Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male          52nd Street (album)

1980     Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male          Glass Houses (album)

1991     Grammy Legend

________________________________________

Grammy Nominations

1979     Song of the Year           Honesty

1980     Album of the Year         Glass Houses

1982     Album of the Year         The Nylon Curtain

1983     Album of the Year         An Innocent Man

1983     Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male          Uptown Girl (single)

1984     Best Video Album          Billy Joel Live From Long Island

1989     Record of the Year        We Didn’t Start The Fire

1989     Song of the Year           We Didn’t Start The Fire

1989     Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male          We Didn’t Start The Fire (song)

1990     Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male          Storm Front (album)

1990     Producer of the Year      Storm Front (album)

1991     Best Long Form Video    Live At Yankee Stadium

1991     Best Short Form Video   When You Wish Upon A Star (from the

1993     Album of the Year         River of Dreams

1993     Record of the Year        The River of Dreams

1993     Song of the Year           The River of Dreams

1993     Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male          The River of Dreams

2002     Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals         New York State of Mind – Tony Bennett and Billy Joel

________________________________________

Other Awards and Honors:

1975     Cashbox award for Best New Male Vocalist for Streetlife Serenade.

1980     American Music Award Album of the Year for Glass Houses

1980     Handi Cap (Humanitarian Award)

1981     People’s Choice Award – Favorite Male Pop Performer

1981     The Rehabilitation Institute (Humanitarian Award)

1984     Cable ACE Award – Best Actor in A Comedy or Musical for „A Television First, Billy Joel“

1987     Cable ACE Award for Best Music Special „Live From Leningrad“

1987     Best Performance in A Music Special for „Live From Leningrad“

1990     International Rock Awards („The Elvis“) for M.V.P. Keyboard

1990     Cathedral of St. John the Divine (Humanitarian Award)

1991     Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters – Fairfield University

1991     Town of Huntington proclaims „Billy Joel Park“

1991     Make-A-Wish Foundation – Honorary Chairman Washington, DC Chapter

1992     Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame

1993     Honorary Doctorate – Berklee College of Music

1993     NARM President’s Award

1994     Billboard Century Award

1997     ASCAP Founders Award

1997     Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters – Hofstra University

1999     American Music Awards – Award of Merit

1999     RIAA Diamond Award

1999     Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

2000     James Smithson Bicentennial Medal of Honor

2000     Honorary Doctorate of Music – Long Island University, Southampton College

2001     Johnny Mercer Award – Songwriters Hall Of Fame

2002     Music Cares Person of the Year

Albums achieving RIAA Platinum Status

(sales of 1,000,000 units, U.S. only)

The Essential     2x Platinum

Piano Man         4x Platinum

Streetlife Serenade        1x Platinum

Turnstiles          1x Platinum

The Stranger     9x Platinum

52nd Street       7x Platinum

Glass Houses    7x Platinum

Songs In The Attic         3x Platinum

An Innocent Man           7x Platinum

Greatest Hits Volume I and Volume II     20x Platinum

The Bridge        2x Platinum

Kohuept            1x Platinum

Storm Front       4x Platinum

River of Dreams            5x Platinum

Greatest Hits Volume III            1x Platinum

Complete Hits Collection1x Platinum

Singles achieving RIAA Platinum Status:

It’s Still Rock and Roll To Me

My Life

Singles achieving RIAA Gold Status

(sales of 500,000 units, U.S. only)

Just The Way You Are

Uptown Girl

We Didn’t Start The Fire

Tell Her About It

BILLY JOEL BIOGRAPHY

Having sold more than 150 million records, Billy Joel ranks as one of most popular recording artists and respected entertainers in the world. Throughout the years, Joel’s songs have acted as personal and cultural touchstones for millions of people, mirroring his own goal of writing songs that „meant something during the time in which I lived … and transcended that time.”

Billy Joel has had 33 Top 40 hits and 23 Grammy nominations since signing his first solo recording contract in 1972. In 1990, he was presented with a Grammy Legend Award. Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1992, Joel was presented with the Johnny Mercer Award, the organization’s highest honor, in 2001. In 1999 he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and has received the Recording Industry Association of America Diamond Award, presented for albums that have sold over 10 million copies.

In November, 2014, Billy Joel will receive The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, which honors living musical artists whose lifetime contributions in the field of popular song exemplify the standard of excellence associated with George and Ira Gershwin, by promoting the genre of song as a vehicle of cultural understanding; entertaining and informing audiences; and inspiring new generations. Also in November, 2014, Billy will receive the once-in-a-century ASCAP Centennial Award. This is presented to American music icons in recognition of their incomparable accomplishments in their respective music genres and beyond.

December 2013, Madison Square Garden announced Billy Joel as the first-ever music franchise of “The World’s Most Famous Arena.” Joining the ranks of The Garden’s other original franchises – including the New York Knicks, Rangers and Liberty – Billy Joel kicked off this franchise at The Garden performing a show a month, as long as there is demand, starting January 27, 2014. Since his first show in 1978, Billy has performed 46 shows at Madison Square Garden, including an unprecedented 12 consecutive sold-out shows that have earned Billy a spot among the Garden greats with a banner raised in his honor.

Also in December 2013, Billy Joel received the 36th Annual Kennedy Center Honor, one of the United States‘ top cultural awards. At The ceremony, Don Henley sang the classic ballad, “She’s Got a Way.” Also paying homage was Garth Brooks, who performed a medley of „Allentown“ and „Goodnight Saigon“ and Rufus Wainwright who performed two Joel classics, „New York State of Mind“ and „Piano Man.“ Brendan Urie performed „Big Shot.“ Tony Bennett introduced the tribute.

Joel held his first ever indoor Irish concert at the O2 in Dublin on November 1, 2013. He also returned to the UK for the first time in seven years and played two arena dates in Manchester and Birmingham plus a very special – more intimate – show at London’s Hammersmith Apollo. In October 2013, Billy Joel held a surprise concert on Long Island at The Paramount (Huntington, NY) to benefit Long Island Cares. On December 31, 2013, Billy performed at The Barclays Center.

In 2013, Billy Joel held tens of thousands of visitors to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in the palm of his hand. It was Joel’s second full-length show in three years He went to New Orleans fresh from Sydney, Australia, where he played a full set at the Stone Music Festival.

Joel and his band prepared a similar array of Joel’s huge collection of hits for Sydney and New Orleans, and mixed in some handpicked tunes specific to the venue at hand. Joel told the crowd, „we know how you felt“ since last year’s Hurricane Sandy, referring to Hurricane Katrina, which hit New Orleans in 2005. „We’re trying to rebuild. We’re taking inspiration from you guys.“

New York’s quintessential son, Billy Joel, performed six songs at the historic 12.12.12 The Concert For Sandy Relief, joining other music greats including Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen and more to raise awareness and money to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy. The show, which included tributes to first responders and those affected by the storm, was broadcast to an estimated 2 billion viewers and raised $32 million in funds before anyone took the stage. Billy, who is proud of his personal connection to Long Island and the tri-state area impacted by the storm, told the audience, „We’re going to get through all this. This is New York and New Jersey and Long Island, and we’re just too mean to lay down and die.“

Billy Joel was honored by Steinway & Sons with a painted portrait that hangs in Steinway Hall in Manhattan. Joel, who has been a Steinway Artist for almost 20 years, is the first non-classical pianist to be immortalized in the Steinway Hall collection. His portrait hangs alongside those of legendary musicians including Sergei Rachmaninoff, Franz Liszt, Arthur Rubinstein, Ignacy Paderewski, and more. The portrait of Billy Joel, painted by artist and musician Paul Wyse, is one of only two living artists to be inducted into the collection, the other being Leon Fleisher. In 2010, Joel released “The Last Play at Shea. The intersecting histories of a city, a team, and a music legend are examined in a documentary feature film that charts both the ups and downs of the New York Mets and the life and career of Long Island native Billy Joel, the last performer to play Shea Stadium before its demolition in 2008. Energetically set to the soundtrack of Joel’s final Shea concert, “The Last Play At Shea” interweaves personal and candid Joel interviews with concert footage-with guests such as Sir Paul McCartney, Tony Bennett, Garth Brooks, Steven Tyler, John Mayer, Don Henley, Roger Daltrey – the history of Shea, and the birth of the Mets.

In 2004, Billy Joel received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, adding another milestone to his extraordinary career. „Movin‘ Out,“ a Broadway musical based on Joel’s music choreographed and directed by Twyla Tharp, was nominated for 10 Tony Awards and took home two including Best Orchestrations–Billy’s first Tony Award win–and Best Choreography.

In addition to his Grammy Awards, Joel has earned three Awards For Cable Excellence and has received numerous ASCAP and BMI awards including the ASCAP Founders Award and the BMI Career Achievement Award and, in 1994, was given the 1994 Billboard Century Award. Among his many other awards and honors, Billy Joel has been given a Doctor of Humane Letters from Fairfield University (1991), a Honorary Doctorate from Berklee College of Music (1993), and a Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Hofstra University (1997) and a Doctor of Music from Southampton College.

Joel has donated his time and resources to a variety of charitable causes outside the realm of his musical career. A longtime advocate for music education, he first began holding „master class“ sessions on college campuses more than 20 years ago, giving sessions at colleges across the country and around the world. In addition, he has held classes as a benefit for the STAR Foundation (Standing for Truth About Radiation) and to establish the Rosalind Joel Scholarship for the Performing Arts at City College in New York City.

Billy Joel has launched an ongoing educational initiative to provide seed money, musical scholarships, and endowments to a variety of East Coast colleges, universities and music schools.

For his accomplishments as a musician and as a humanitarian, Billy Joel was honored as the 2002 MusiCares Person Of The Year by the MusiCares Foundation and the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.

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