Search Results for: Billy Joel

Billy Joel and his wife of five years, television host Katie Lee, are splitting up, according to an official statement. Joel, 60, and Lee, 27, confirmed they put “much thought and consideration” into their decision to separate, and say they will “remain caring friends with admiration and respect for each other.” Joel was previously married to his business manager Elizabeth Small from 1973 to 1982 and model Christie Brinkley from 1985 to 1994, with whom he has one daughter, singer Alexa Ray. Ray said she “wasn’t surprised” by the news. “I have a pretty good women’s intuition, so I can… Read more »

A former drummer for Billy Joel claims the Grammy Award-winning singer of hits including “Uptown Girl ” and “Movin’ Out” has stiffed him out of royalties for years. Liberty DeVitto has filed a lawsuit in Manhattan’s state Supreme Court demanding Joel pay him overdue royalties. DeVitto, 58, says he was Joel’s drummer from 1975 to 2005 and helped the piano man craft some of his biggest albums. DeVitto’s lawyer says he doesn’t know how much his client is owed. He says Joel’s sales are subject to an audit. DeVitto says he is working as a studio musician and teaching to… Read more »

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. —  Elton John and Billy Joel’s latest tour kicked off to a packed house on Monday, operating under the simple business model: maximized reward, exceedingly minimized risk. The three-plus-hour event was steeped in hits and nostalgia. The youngest song was the title track from Joel’s last pop album, 1993’s “River of Dreams.” “Speaking of unemployment, we’re just happy you’re keeping us in business. We’re happy to have a job,” Joel said after a timely spin through “Allentown,” Joel’s 1982 ballad of economic gloom. Joel’s words rang true, but there wasn’t much worry about that: They last toured together… Read more »

DETROIT–Despite the recent appearance of “All My Life,” his first new pop song in 14 years, Billy Joel says he doesn’t foresee a re-opening of the creative floodgates that led to 33 Top 40 hits. “I’m not ruling out the possibility of writing songs again,” Joel tells Billboard.com. “I suppose if I had the motivation to write a song, I’m not gonna stop myself from doing it. I just haven’t felt the compulsion to write songs in pop form. I guess these days I just think of myself as a composer.” Joel — whose last album of original material, “River… Read more »

After swearing off pop songwriting following his 1993 album “River of Dreams,” Billy Joel has returned to the format with a new single, “All My Life.” The Phil Ramone-produced track will premiere Feb. 7 on People.com, where it will be available for streaming and as music for a Valentine’s Day e-card. It will then be sold exclusively via Apple’s iTunes Music Store from Feb. 20-March 6, after which it will available at most digital retailers. A commercial CD release of “All My Life” will follow on a date to be announced, according to Joel’s label, Columbia. Since “River of Dreams,”… Read more »

Billy Joel is back home and resting comfortably after being discharged Saturday from a New York hospital where he had sought treatment last week for severe stomach pains. “He is home, and feeling good,” the Piano Man’s publicist said, adding that he sufferred from “gastro-intestinal tract distress with possible kidney stones.” The rep denied reports the entertainer had pancreatitis, which is typically brought on by the heavy consumption of alcohol. Joel decided to get the gut check after suffering extreme stomach cramps about 10 days ago, and was admitted to an undisclosed Long Island medical center not far from his… Read more »

A published report says Billy Joel was drinking champagne shortly before his January car crash on his native Long Island. The East Hampton Star reports that Joel told police he had had “a glass of champagne” while having dinner with two friends at the American Hotel in Sag Harbor on January 25, although he now claims not to remember the conversation. At 10:30 p.m. ET that night, Joel crashed his $100,000 Mercedes-Benz into a tree in the town, after which he spent the night in a local hospital before being discharged the following morning. Alcohol was quickly ruled out as… Read more »

“Piano Man” Billy Joel was hospitalized for several hours early Sunday after smashing his car into a tree along a highway on far eastern Long Island. A hospital spokesman confirmed that the singer was released Sunday morning but would not comment on Joel’s injuries. The 53-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer had swerved into the tree as he was driving his Mercedes-Benz in Sag Harbor late Saturday, Sag Harbor Village Police Chief Thomas Fabiano said. No charges were filed, police Officer Hugh Caulfield said Sunday. Joel wasn’t given a Breathalyzer test, which measures blood alcohol levels, he said. Joel… Read more »

There’s good news for Billy Joel and Elton John fans who had tickets to the duo’s February 2 concert at the FleetCenter in Boston, which was canceled because Joel was ill. The concert has now been rescheduled, and tickets from February 2 will be honored on the new date, April 3. The “Piano Man” and the “Rocket Man” kick off the first of six shows at the First Union Center in Philadelphia on Wednesday (February 13), where they are also scheduled to perform Friday (February 15), Sunday (February 17), Tuesday (February 19), Friday (February 22), and Sunday (February 24). After… Read more »

Billy Joel and Elton John are back together in the new year for the continuation of the pair’s magical “Face To Face” performances kicking off on Sunday, January 13th in Washington, DC at the MCI Center. Billy and Elton first toured the successful “Face To Face” tour in the United States in 1995 and again in 1996. The tour was extended to Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Europe in 1998. The 31-date “Face To Face” 2001 tour grossed $59 million. Early sales for the Billy Joel/Elton John “Face To Face” 2002 tour of the American northeast immediately set box office… Read more »