William “Bill” Martin Joel (b.1949) is an American pop singer, singer-songwriter, and pianist. This third bestselling solo artist in American recording history has been nominated for eighteen Grammy Awards and has won six times.
Born in New York City’s Bronx, Joel is the son of a Holocaust survivor who came to New York by way of Cuba. The title track to Piano Man became a Top 30 single in 1973 and laid the foundation for his highly successful recording career.
Joel’s hit songs include “Piano Man” (1973,) “Just the Way You Are” (1977,) “Tell Her About It” (1983,) “We Didn’t Start the Fire” (1989,) and “The River of Dreams” (1993.) Many of his songs contain references to specific places and landmarks in New York and Long Island and have become local anthems.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Billy Joel
A typical day in the life of a heavy metal musician consists of a round of golf and an AA meeting.
—Billy Joel
Topics: Golf
It’s okay if you mess up. You should give yourself a break.
—Billy Joel
Topics: Awareness, Acceptance, Realization
I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints — The sinners are much more fun.
—Billy Joel
I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.
—Billy Joel
Topics: Music
I have a theory that the only original things we ever do are mistakes.
—Billy Joel
Topics: Mistakes
The good days weren’t really so good, and tomorrow ain’t as bad as it seems.
—Billy Joel
Topics: The Future, Future
I would not leave you in your times of trouble. We never could have come this far. I took the good times, I’ll take the bad times, I’ll take you just the way you are.
—Billy Joel
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