A recent captivating (July 2, 2021) BILLY JOEL interview where he talks about his upcoming concerts, life during the pandemic, how he lucked-out becoming a musician, and much more! A must listen for all serious BILLY JOEL fans. > (14:51) min
June 9, 2021 Billy Joel news.
BILLY JOEL bought this estate in Centre Island, N.Y., known as Middlesea, in 2002. Since then he has spent millions on major renovations through the years, accommodating his tastes and needs. The estate once had an indoor swimming pool, but BILLY JOEL had it filled with cement and made it into a music room. And because of his now expanding two more daughter family, he had bedroom extentions added onto the mansion. Also, several years ago, he had a dock built for his boats. And he has since had a heliport built on the grounds to commute, to and fro, by helicopter, to his gigs at MSG in New York City. BILLY JOEL has also had state-of-the-art security systems installed, due to being burglarized last year, and having some of his motorcyles smashed up. And just recently, he got a permit to build horse stables on the property, because BILLY JOEL's current wife, Alexis Roderick, is an accomplished equestrian. Pictured below are photos showing the main entrance to the estate, then and now.
Since I live so close to BILLY JOEL's motorcycle shop in Oyster Bay, N.Y., I occasionally go there to see if I can run into him. Well today I did (May 18, 2021) and he was there! He was engaged in a conversation so I didn't want to be rude and interrupt, so I waved and said hi, he acknowledged me and I took a photo and drove away.
Born William Martin Joel on May 9, 1949 in Bronx, New York to become the world renowned 'Piano Man'.
HAPPY 72ndBIRTHDAY BILL!
> But today, May 9th, 2021 is not only BILLY JOEL's Birthday, it's also Mother's Day! <
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY ALEXIS!
> A 'double' celebration today in the Joel household. Happy congratulations to all! <
May 3, 2021 Billy Joel news.
Although there's been some debate, people that grew up in Syosset, Long Island, New York, know that the BILLY JOEL song, 'Scenes From An Italian Restaurant', was inspired by Christiano's Italian restaurant in Syosset, which BILLY JOEL frequent dozens of times, and NOT Fontana di Trevi in New York City as some people claim (BILLY JOEL wrote the song when he was in his twenties living on Long Island, and the song 'lyrics' reminisce about his teenage memories growing up on Long Island. Nothing is mentioned about New York City) BILLY JOEL is a Long Islander! Living in Hicksville, Long Island, N.Y. as a youngster, and before his solo career, he would became a member of a Syosset band named 'The Hassles'. (BILLY JOEL would replace Harry Weber, BILLY JOEL's first wive's brother) Almost all of the members of 'The Hassles' were from Syosset. So this is where BILLY JOEL meet his first wife, Elizabeth Weber from Syosset. Elizabeth's sister Mary Sue, later became BILLY JOEL's hairstylist. And their older brother, Frank Weber, would later became BILLY JOEL's manager. Also, BILLY JOEL's bass player, Doug Stegmeyer was from Syosset, as well as, BILLY JOEL's sound engineer, Brain Ruggles, who is still with BILLY JOEL today, 50 years and counting! How do I know all this? Because I was raised in Syosset, Long Island, N.Y., having moved there in 1960 from Bayside, Queens, as a youngster, and I went to Syosset High School with, and partied with, some of the above mentioned people.
Christiano's Italian restaurant in Syosset, N.Y. was the place to be seen back in the late 1960's thru the 1980's, and BILLY JOEL was no exception. And that's where I meet BILLY JOEL for the first time back in 1977. (Anyone remember the dollar bills on the ceiling of Christiano's?) That's another story, and I know the secret. Anyway, there was a 8x10 glass framed photo, autographed by BILLY JOEL to Christiano's, that hung on the wall behind the bar from the 1970's to about 2003, when it was apparently stolen off the wall. Below is the photo that was used. Read facts, stories and see photos on this website about Christiano's Italian restaurant in Photo Album 3. Photos > 10 thru 15.
April 21, 2021 Billy Joel news.
This photo of BILLY JOEL is probably the most iconic photo that you will ever see of BILLY JOEL that pre-dates his first solo album, 'Cold Spring Harbor'. Even if you lived your whole life on Long Island, N.Y. you wouldn't know about Cagneys Pub in Oyster Bay, Long Island, N.Y. unless you lived on the north shore of Long Island in the late 1960's - early 1970's. This bar catered to locals and had saw-dust on the floor (for those who remember). A local dive that served a half and half beer, which was a pint glass of half Guinness stout and half draft, yummy! I was a frequent patronizing drunk back then. Anyway, I personally saw BILLY JOEL at Cagneys Pub twice. Back in the day, he was a frequent drinker like me.
April 1, 2021 Billy Joel news.
Although posted on April 1, 2021 (April Fool's Day) this is no prank. The 'Glass House' is for sale! Yes, that 'Glass House'. The one that BILLY JOEL and first wife Elizabeth Weber owned from the late 1970's to the early 1980's, and used for BILLY JOEL's 1980 'Glass Houses' album cover. This estate, high on Coppers Bluff in Cove Neck, Long Island, N.Y., was famous long before BILLY JOEL moved in, with ties to the Roosevelts. Put up for sale several years back for $12,000,000 million, it has since been reduced in price and relisted for 'only'... $8,900,000 million. (Property taxes: $128,000 thousand per year) Fact: Billy Joel bought this house for $300,000 thousand in the late 1970's.
Photo: Taken on 12/20/78 by Dick Kraus / Newsday RM via Getty Images
After BILLY JOEL's departure from 'The Hassles' to start his solo career, he recorded his 'first' album, 'Cold Spring Harbor' in 1971. This album would be the 'first' of many albums BILLY JOEL would record in his career. You could say this album was the foundation, his 'first' attempt, at becoming the super-star he is today. But does anyone remember the 'original' band members that were instrumental in facilitating BILLY JOEL's career? You may remember BILLY JOEL's former band members from the mid 70's and early 80's, who were instrumental in BILLY JOEL selling 150 million albums, and later formed the band, 'The Lords of 52nd Street'. And the band members BILLY JOEL has with him today, have been with him for decades. Although the're all great musicans, none of them (excluding Mark Rivera) were instrumental in BILLY JOEL's early career. But they know the cords and the notes to his songs. But BILLY JOEL's 'original' band members who helped BILLY JOEL launch his solo career are all but forgotten. I only mention this because one of the 'original' band members reached out to me, BILLY JOEL's 'original' bass player, Larry Russell. Larry sent me the photo below, and a audio recording of BILLY JOEL's 'original' band playing, 'Jumpin' Jack Flash' at the Mar Y Sol festival in Puerto Rico in 1972. This photo and recording can be found on the internet. But getting them e-mailed to me from 'original' band member Larry Russell himself, to me, is beyond words.
1972 Photo taken by: Rhys Clark (Billy Joel's 'original' drummer) From left to right. Irwin Mazur's wife. Irwin Mazur, manager of 'The Hassles', and the executive producer of the 'Cold Spring Harbor' album. Annie, (Brian Ruggles girlfriend). Elizabeth Weber Small, (Billy Joel's girlfriend). Larry Russell, ('original' bass guitarist). Alan Hertzberg, back towards camera, ('original' lead guitarist). And Billy Joel.
'Original' BAND MEMBERS
Billy Joel, piano / Larry Russell, bass / Rhys Clark, drums / Alan Hertzberg, guitar.
February 8, 2021 Billy Joel news.
Nothing in life is guaranteed, but we're begining to see the light at the end of this concert drought tunnel. As vaccines become more available, and people get vaccinated, life should be returning to some kind of normalcy by autumn of 2021. And BILLY JOEL thinks the same, which brings us to 'live' concerts! I live on Long Island, New York, so Madison Square Garden is where I go. Besides, BILLY JOEL plays there once a month! His next scheduled concert @ MSG is on November 5, 2021. Read BILLY JOEL's hope in returning to 'live' shows once again in 2021, and watch the short video below!
A 'live' video clip of BILLY JOEL's 'Piano Man' @ MSG. Video: John Marchut. (Recorded on May 9, 2014)
January 10, 2021 Billy Joel news.
BILLY JOEL's wife, Alexis Roderick-Joel is a accomplished equestrian, and competes in > amateur hunter in Bridgehampton, Long Island. And she is also grooming their young daughter's to ride as well.
But in the winter, BILLY JOEL heads down to Florida, to his Florida mansion, to get away from New York's harsh winter weather. A year after marrying Alexis, BILLY JOEL purchased a 10 acre horse farm, with stables, in Wellington, Florida for 7.1 million dollars (shown below) for his wife, because of her love of horses and riding. And, to board the horses they now own.
But in the summertime, BILLY JOEL spends his time on Long Island, New York where he owns two more houses. One in Sag Harbor, Long Island, N.Y. the other, his primary residence, on Centre Island, New York (shown below). Last year, BILLY JOEL bought the adjoining property next to his Centre Island estate to expand his property to over 20 acres. And has since applied for a permit to build stables and board horses on this property, so they don't have to travel to the east end of Long Island, where their horses were board during the summer. Read full story > here.
December 22, 2020 Billy Joel news.
BILLY JOEL fan Mike Stutz, at BILLY JOEL 'locations'!
Mike Stutz on location. Basketball court next to 308 West 17th St., New York City. Intro location to 'My Life' video.
BILLY JOEL's debut album. Released November 1, 1971. Mike Stutz on location. Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island, New York.
BILLY JOEL's 'Streetlife Serenade' album cover, painted from a corner intersection located at 651 South Centre Street in San Pedro, CA. (Art cover by Brain Hagiwara)
Mike DelGuidice of 'Big Shot' / BILLY JOEL band member. Mike Stutz Mike DelGuidice
Mike Stutz on location at 20 Meeting Lane, Hicksville, Long Island, New York. BILLY JOEL's childhood house!
BILLY JOEL'S 'Turnstiles' album, released on May 19, 1976.
BILLY JOEL's 'Turnstiles' album cover taken at Astor Place Subway Station, (8th St. and Forth Ave.) New York City. Mike Stutz on location.
BILLY JOEL's 'Glass Houses' album released on March 12, 1980. The 'Glass House'! BILLY JOEL lived here with first wife, Elizabeth Weber (Small) from the mid 1970's to the early 1980's. House located in Cove Neck, Long Island, New York. Mike Stutz on location.
BILLY JOEL's 'Innocent Man' released on August 8, 1983. Album cover photo taken at 142 Mercer St, New York City. Mike Stutz on location.
And before BILLY JOEL's solo career, and Attila...
...there were 'The Hassles' (1964 - 1969) on the United Artists Record Label.
Mike Stutz on location. Photos taken in Central Park, New York City by the Bow Bridge, 74th St.
'Original' album photo (benches and sidewalk edited from photo) Left to right: Richard McKenna, Howie Blauvelt, Jon Small, John Dizek, Billy Joel.
