Details About Billy Joel That Will Leave You Empty Inside

An innocent man lambasted by the critics. A long-time struggle with alcoholism. There's a lot of sadness behind the music of this piano man.

#BillyJoel #Music #PianoMan

Father left him | 0:00
Took on bullies with boxing | 1:21
Twice attempted suicide | 2:16
First solo album flopped | 3:33
'Piano Man' was autobiographical | 4:19
Horrific motorcycle accident | 5:01
Two epic betrayals | 5:55
Struggles with alcohol addiction | 7:14
Complicated love life | 8:16
Stopped releasing songs | 9:34
Critics have never been kind | 10:44

[GrungeHQ]

What has been your favorite performance by Billy Joel?

[CrisKRA]

The Stranger is without question one of the best albums ever made

[ronatopaz]

This man is the best therapist ever. After a 15 minute conversation we had in 1983, it completely changed my belief system from one of eugenics and social Darwinism to the polar opposite, and I have him to thank for it. Plus, I’ve been a fan of his music since 1978. I am grateful for his existence.

[sheltonbailey]

I seriously admire this man’s talent not only as a performer but more-so as a songwriter. “Honesty” is amongst my favourite BJ songs.

[ilsy]

His kindness and his music speaks for itself. You can't wrong this legend

[jimcharles]

I always liked Billy Joel, but I was never super into him until the last 3 or 4 months when something snapped in me and I very quickly bought up his whole catalog. He's incredible. As far as the critics go, they are people who get paid to be negative. And none of them ever wrote a hit song or sold out an arena. I like his decision to stop in 1993. He says that he said (in his music) all he had to say. Roughly a 22 year recording career. He doesn't owe us more. His bill is paid-in-full. What a wonderful recorded legacy!

[singerrb]

Poor title!!! This article didn't leave me "empty inside." Rather I found it to be uplifting to learn that someone so gifted has had struggles, too. I adore the piano man!!

[TheHatMusic]

I'm immensely glad that Billy didn't succeed with his attempted suicides. He is a world class musician, and a phenomenal songwriter. The world is significantly better for having him in it, and his music very rightly deserves the level of acclaim it has garnered. The man is an absolute music legend, on the back of his own drive and effort.

[GaryGrube]

"...Will Leave You Empty Inside"?
I found this to be uplifting. I have even more admiration for this man.

[susanb]

Hard to imagine the criticism of Billy Joel who is such a beloved musician, constantly selling out shows over so many years. It just shows those guys’ opinions are garbage and they don’t know what they’re talking about. Billy will forever be one of my faves! ❤❤❤

[aaronwolfe]

Very few artists have the depth and complexity that the work of Joel has. It is a reflection of his transparency about the struggles in life he has had.

[pauljacques]

No.
only grunge leaves people feeling empty inside.
Billy remains one of the greatest composers ever.

[VerissimusAurelius]

I saw Billy Joel at the University of Colorado (Boulder) where I went to school (1978) and will NEVER FORGET IT. He played his ASS OFF...for hours, he did an encore....his band left and he came BACK OUT...and sat there...ALONE at the piano drinking a Heineken, and then WITH NO ASS LEFT, he played on and on...working like a laborer....farming the soil, banging the nail, lifting the WORLD on his shoulder...and I will NEVER FORGET IT.

[ianoz]

From anyone's perspective, other than his own, crafting the perfect 3 or 4 minute song that utterly captures a mood, a time, a memory... and becomes forever linked to it in our life... is a divine gift that Billy has in spades and I, like so many others, am grateful he shared his gift with us.

[upthedown]

Will always love Billy Joel's music. Don't care that he hasn't written anything in a long time. His body of work speaks for itself ❤

[alanmcneill]

The song "And so it goes", the lyrics are genius, and the piano is heartbreakingly sad, I sang a portion of it to a lady I loved very much, it ended with, "and you can have this heart to break...." No. She dumped me. I never listened to it again, don't need to, I lived it. But I am sure, there are many who can relate to that song, its part of life. Billy Joel wrote and sang, and lived, so much of human life. He is the best.

[fslayer]

I love Billy Joel’s music. I’ve been a fan of his since my childhood in the 80s and still love to belt out Piano Man and Matter Of Trust. 🥰

[louiesmom]

He's human. With all its guts and gore, beauty, self realization, and everything in between.

[toniquinn]

I want Billy Joel to know how much of a fan my husband and I are of his music. We saw him at Wrigley Field and it was a great experience for us. We are totally blind and we were given assistance and we had great seats. I must admit I think it was one of the best concerts that I have ever had the pleasure to see thank you for the music Billy we love you.

[patrickwoods]

One of my favorite songwriters ever. Complete legend and genius. You don't get to where he's at by being mediocre. I don't know too many people who can write a rocker like "We didn't start the Fire" and a tear jerker like "Leningrad" all in the same album on that level.

Billy Joel = True talent.