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Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999, Billy Joel is one of the most popular recording artists, which is why collectors are crazy after Billy Joel autographed memorabilia to add to their collection. Even Governor Andrew Cuomo proclaimed July 18, 2018 (100th performance at Madison Square Garden), a Billy Joel day in New York State!
Music played a crucial role in Billy Joel’s life from a young age. His father, Howard Joel, was a classical pianist, which inspired him to play the instrument and become an American singer-songwriter, releasing his first solo album, “Cold Spring Harbor,” in 1971 after signing with Columbia Records. Let’s go over 12 facts you didn’t know about your favorite singer!
12 Surprising Facts About Billy Joel
He Considered Suicide with Furniture Polish
After facing a heartbreaking breakup at 21, he decided to commit suicide. However, he was afraid of the skull and bones on the bleach, so he decided to gulp down furniture polish instead. This experience led to the song “The Stranger.”
He Was a Good Boxer
After getting bullied while going to piano lessons, he took up boxing and won several amateur fights in the Golden Gloves competition.
The Reason for Him to Leave Woodstock was Foul Toilets
In 1969, he went to Woodstock to see Jimi Hendrix but left after seeing the unsanitary toilets at the music festival.
The Song “Laura” Is About His Mother
Fed up with his mother’s manipulation, Joel released a song, “Laura,” a two-syllable word just like “mother,” where the lyrics and tone of the song are angry and “swirling.”
The Song “Vienna” Is About Visiting His Father
Billy barely knew his father. He met his father after over a decade, and the song “Vienna” is about a trip to see his father, who was residing in Vienna at the time.
The Song “Big Shot” Is About Bianca Jagger
Previously, Joel mentioned that the song “Big Shot” was a mockery of himself, but later in a show in 2010 on Howard Stern, he revealed that it was about Mick Jagger’s thoughts about Bianca.
Billy Joel Went Through a Heavy Metal Period
In the 1970s, Joel started a heavy metal band named “Attila” with a friend. As silly as it was, the album cover saw the singer dressed up as a barbarian, surrounded by raw meat.
Before that, he was doing covers of British Invasion songs after seeing the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show.
Despite Being an Atheist, He Believes in Ghosts
In one of the interviews, the piano man recalled an incident in his home in East Hampton where he saw a 19th-century woman sitting on a chair brushing her hair. Although he is an atheist, that single incident made him believe in the paranormal.
Joel Graduated High School at Age 43
After marrying Christie Brinkley in 1985, Joel decided to complete high school and graduated in 1992 by turning in a few missing assignments.
Joel Doesn’t Think He Looks Like a Rock Star
Although Billy Joel received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on May 6, 2005, and has won five Grammy Awards, he still believes that he doesn’t look like a rock star but more of a guy who makes pizza. Surprisingly, in his prime, he also used to play the electric guitar!
Billy Named His Daughter after Ray Charles
Ray Charles was one of Joel’s biggest piano-playing idols, and at a Town Hall performance in 2014, he revealed that he named his daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, after the celebrity.
Joel Earned the Term “Legend”
With massive success and one hit single after the other in the 70s and 80s, Joel received a Grammy Legend Award in 1989 to acknowledge his successful music career.
Fan of Billy Joel? Express Your Love through Signed Memorabilia!
Whether you’re a fan of his music or simply a collector, we have an extensive range of Billy Joel autographed memorabilia for you to explore. We have something for everyone, from Billy Joel signed music sheets to autographed albums and much more!