BILLY JOEL

Although Billy Joel never was a critic's favorite,

the pianist emerged as one of the most popular

singer/songwriters of the latter half of the

'70s. Joel's music consistently demonstrates an

affection for Beatlesque hooks and a flair for

Tin Pan Alley and Broadway melodies. His

fusion of two distinct eras made him a superstar

in the late '70s and '80s, as he racked an

impressive string of multi-platinum albums and

hit singles. Born in the Bronx, Joel was raised in

the Long Island suburb of Hicksville, where he

learned to play piano as a child. As he

approached his adolescence, Joel started to

rebel, joining teenage street gangs and boxing as

welterweight. He fought a total of 22 fights as a

teenager, and during one of the fights, he broke

his nose. For the early years of his adolescence,

he divided his time between studying piano and

fighting. 

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