“Last Play At Shea” promised to tell the story of Billy Joel’s historic back-to-back 2008 concerts at the iconic Long Island baseball stadium. But it’s not long into the running time that the story becomes much larger than one of music’s biggest stars performing at one of the country’s most legendary venues. After quickly establishing […]
EP 141 – Video Retrospective: The Last Play At Shea Documentary Read More »
It’s been a busy month in the Billy Joel world – and Michael and Jack were there for it. June kicked off with the premier of the “Billy Joel: And So It Goes” documentary at the Beacon Theatre in New York City. As the first event for this year’s Tribeca Film Festival, the red carpet
EP 140 – Billy Joel: And So It Goes (Tribeca Documentary Premiere Coverage) Read More »
A 1972 Billy Joel performance doesn’t sound like the concerts he’s been performing over the last 50 years. Instead, two live recordings from that year reveal an artist still finding his way – even if a few key elements were already in place. That year, Billy opened for Taj Mahal at the Boarding House
EP 139 – Concert Classics: Boarding House & Mar y Sol Pop Festival (1972) Read More »
1992 wasn’t a prolific year for Billy, nestled between the end of one of his longest tours supporting a monster hit album and releasing his final pop album the next year. But, his decisions here would determine the next phase of his career. Throughout the year, he spent just as much time looking to the
EP 138 – Year In Review: 1992 Read More »
Billy Joel banked on his recent success when he wrote and recorded the 1980 album Glass Houses. The songs were much more streamlined and guitar-driven than his previous two platinum-selling releases, and arranged to be played in arenas and coliseums rather than theaters and colleges. But, just as the record’s New Wave leanings drew ire
EP 137 – Tour Retrospective: Glass Houses Tour (1980-81) Read More »
Today, we know Glass Houses as one of Billy Joel’s biggest albums. The 1980 release became his third-consecutive album to quickly go platinum. It kept the band playing some of the biggest venues in the world, and features a handful of songs that are still live staples. At the time, however, it was a drastic
EP 136 – Album Retrospective: Glass Houses (Part 3) Read More »
Billy Joel’s 1980 release Glass Houses is considered classic rock in 2025. But at the time, listeners and critics heard a huge leap into then-current New Wave – and not necessarily a good one. The album was a stripped-down departure from the more lush arrangements on The Stranger and 52nd Street, released in 1977
EP 135 – Album Retrospective: Glass Houses (Part 2) Read More »
With a pair of award-winning, chart-topping albums under his belt, Billy Joel entered A&R Recording in 1979 with the intention of abandoning the sound that made him a superstar. He did so by showcasing the musicians who were instrumental to his success. The result was Glass Houses. Released on March 12, 1980, the album lurched
EP 134 – Album Retrospective: Glass Houses (Part 1) Read More »
Even though Billy Joel was a superstar by the 1980s, he still had to promote each new album. That included appearances on late night television shows. Billy was never a fan of music videos or performing on television, saying music shouldn’t have to be a visual art. But as the landscape of late night shows
EP 133 – Billy Joel On Late Night TV Part 3 (1986-2024) Read More »
With more than 50 years of performances as a solo artist, Billy Joel’s songs and stage show have evolved alongside the formats for musical performances on late night television programs. Spots like these have always been valuable for developing artists to introduce themselves to new audiences. More established musicians often appear on them near the
EP 132 – Billy Joel On Late Night TV Part 2 (1973-1982) Read More »
Late night television has been an important showcase for musical talent for well over half a century. The casts and crews make producing these shows seem effortless. But the truth is that it takes split-second timing and a tight knit team to get each episode on the air. In this two-part series, we’re exploring Billy
EP 131 – Billy Joel On Late Night TV Part 1 (with Steve Mandel of The Tonight Show) Read More »
It’s felt like seven years since we’ve been trapped on this desert island with only 12 Billy Joel songs to listen to. If you missed Part One of this series, Jack and I picked one song from each of Billy’s studio pop albums that we would want if we were trapped on a desert
EP 130 – Billy Joel Desert Island Tracks Vol. 2 (1980-1993) Read More »
What are the 12 Billy Joel songs you can’t live without? That’s what Michael and I are discussing over the next two episodes. We picked one track from each pop studio album that we would want if we were trapped on a desert island. Our choices were rarely the hits, and not necessarily our favorite
EP 129 – Desert Island Tracks Vol. 1 (1971-1978) Read More »
We often record way more than we can release on our bi-weekly episodes. That’s why we always save the last episode of the year for odds and ends It’s our collection of outtakes and diversions that made for great conversation but wouldn’t find a home in the episode we were recording. This year we’ve got
EP 128 – 2024 Odds & Ends (with Dan Orlando) Read More »
Since joining the Lords of 52nd Street in 2021, Dan Orlando’s post as piano player and lead singer has become much more than a job, albeit a crucial one, in a legacy act. The group features the music of Billy Joel played by Liberty DeVitto, Richie Cannata and Russell Javors, who played live and in
EP 127 – In Conversation With Dan Orlando (Lords Of 52nd Street) Read More »
The third disc of Billy Joel’s My Lives Box Set reveals an aspect of his performances that the previous tracks only hinted at: His ability to channel other artists. The first two discs of the four-CD/one-DVD set focuses on unreleased songs, alternate versions of well-known tracks, and compositions that evolved into songs that Billy
EP 126 – Album Retrospective: My Lives Disc 3 Read More »
In April of 1976, Billy Joel hit the road with the first incarnation of the now-legendary Lords of 52nd Street lineup. The band toured in support of the album Turnstiles, the first official audio document of this group. And, late that year, they recorded the first concert home video of Billy’s career. That program,
EP 125 – Video Retrospective: Billy Joel Tonight – December 5 & 6, 1976 Read More »
A storm arrived in Syracuse, NY in February of 1990 — two of them, actually. The region was hit by a major storm, dumping more than eight inches of snow. At the same time, Billy Joel brought his Storm Front tour to the Carrier Dome. This show was about two months into a string of
EP 124 – Concert Classics: Syracuse, NY – February 2, 1990 Read More »
1989’s Storm Front album found Billy Joel charting a new course for his career. Gone were longtime collaborators, including producer Phil Ramone and key band members Russell Javors and Doug Stegmeyer. Behind the scenes, Billy was embroiled in a lawsuit with his former manager as tens of millions of dollars hung in the balance.
EP 123 – Album Retrospective: Storm Front Read More »
Depending on the time of year, 1974 is either a period of uncertainty in Billy Joel’s career, or the first signposts of the superstardom to come. He begins the year touring behind the Piano Man record, which ultimately falls off the charts. Record label execs then hurry Billy into the studio to record what he
EP 122 – Year In Review: 1974 Read More »
Fall of 2024 is upon us! What is typically time for our next playlist installment, we’re adjusting the title and format of the series slightly and are happy to announce the Glass Houses Side Quests. Expanding the concept of the playlists, the options are limitless from more music concepts to long form conversations with friends,
There’s an often-overlooked part of Billy Joel’s rise to fame as a recording artist: His track record as a songwriter for others. Before he was a superstar, Billy’s songs were covered by dozens of performers from around the world. The trend arguably peaked in the late 70s with multiple renditions of his now-classic songs New
EP 120 – Exploring More 1970s Billy Joel Cover Songs with John Jackson Read More »
Billy Joel’s 10-year monthly residency at Madison Square Garden is now in the past. But its legacy has been preserved for the public to enjoy. In fact, the same can be said for his entire career. In this last installment of our series covering Billy at the Garden, we sit down for a lengthy
The opening strains of Miami 2017 took on a new meaning on July 25, 2024. It was the final show of Billy Joel’s 10-year monthly residency at Madison Square Garden, and the classic opener kicked off the night. Suddenly, the song’s theme about thousands of people hunkering down to hear these songs for maybe the
Starting in the mid-2000s, Billy Joel cemented his Madison Square Garden legacy with two unprecedented engagements. The first was a dozen shows spread over 4 months in 2006. The setlists were filled with songs that were rarely, if ever performed live, and The recordings from these dates made up his live album 12 Gardens Live,
When BIlly Joel plays his final show at Madison Square Garden on July 25, 2024, he’ll be closing out a nearly 50-year run of shows. And, in this episode, we’re diving deep into the first half of that legacy. Starting in December 1978, Billy has played multiple nights at the Garden on all but one
Billy Joel’s groundbreaking 100th Madison Square Garden Residency Show was commemorated with an edited version of the concert airing on network television. The special entitled “The 100th: Billy Joel At Madison Square Garden” was broadcast in prime time on April 14, 2024 on CBS. For fans, this was a step up in production from even
EP 115 – Madison Square Garden Part 2 – The 100th show of the residency (TV Special) Read More »
Thanks to a recently-unearthed audience recording, fans can now hear Billy Joel’s first performance at the legendary Madison Square Garden. The performance took place on December 14, 1978, more than a decade after Billy first took to a stage as a professional musician. Listening to it in 2024, perhaps the most interesting aspect about Billy
EP 114 – Madison Square Garden Part 1 – The First MSG Show (December 14, 1978) Read More »
In the last installment of our Evolution of a Song series, we explored an older song that sported a studio arrangement that couldn’t be replicated live. The same can be said of “The Ballad Of Billy The Kid,” the subject of this episode. While the live version on Songs in the Attic became the definitive
EP 113 – Evolution Of A Song – ”The Ballad Of Billy The Kid” Read More »
With few exceptions, Billy Joel’s albums were sequenced with two sides in mind. It’s a phenomenon that’s come back to the forefront with the resurgence of vinyl records: The act of listening to half an album, then flipping the platter to hear the rest. It’s a different experience than listening to the songs all the
EP 112 – Billy Joel Album B-Sides Ranked Read More »
The beauty of live music is that a song never sounds the same twice. Billy Joel’s no exception to this rule. And, with some songs nearly 50 years old by now, many of his older numbers have seen drastic changes over the years. In the first installment of our Evolution of a Song series, we
EP 111 – Evolution Of A Song – ”The Entertainer” Read More »
Billy Joel’s world tour supporting the Storm Front album was a huge success by all metrics. But behind it was a story almost as tumultuous as the album title and front cover portrayed.
EP 110 – Tour Retrospective: Storm Front Tour 1989-1991 Read More »
2014 was a renaissance for Billy Joel. It’s almost hard to believe, given all the time he’s spent in the spotlight a decade later. But, he’d been relatively quiet in the late aughts and early 2010s. That made the flurry of activity this year all the more surprising.
EP 109 – Year In Review: 2014 Read More »
What the new compilation Billy Joel Live Through the Years – Japan Edition lacks in new material, it more than makes up for in providing context to 40-plus years of music. The double-disc set, only released in Japan, features 32 live tracks recorded between 1972 and 2008. Starting with the Sigma Sound radio broadcast and
EP 108 – Album Retrospective: Billy Joel Live Through The Years – Japan Edition Read More »
Go behind the scenes of Billy Joel’s ‘River of Dreams’ with drummer Zachary Alford, plus touring with Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, the B-52s and more.
EP 107 – Back down the River of Dreams with Zachary Alford Read More »
Before Billy Joel was a household name, and before he was even a solo recording artist or known as a piano player, he released his first album on United Artists Records in 1967. That album was The Hassles, by the band of the same name. Billy, still a teenager, wasn’t in the spotlight. Rather, he
EP 106 – Album Retrospective: The Hassles First Album Read More »
It’s easy to write off the lyrical content of love songs. They’re often fairly simple, and are more emotional than thought-provoking. But a good love song, like any song, reveals something about the writer, and, often, the listener. For our Valentine’s Day episode, we’re discussing our favorite Billy Joel love songs. But, we ended up
EP 105 – Billy Joel Love Songs + Turn The Lights Back On & Grammy Performance Read More »
Although Disc Two of My Lives kicks off with a live version of a classic 70s song, the rest of the track list features Billy Joel B-Sides and early versions of songs from the 80s along with a few album tracks. While it seems random initially, there’s a light narrative running through the selections. Here,
EP 104 – Album Retrospective: My Lives Disc 2 + New Billy Joel Single Announcement Read More »
Since his days playing clubs and theaters in the early 70s, Billy Joel was always known for his passionate, high-energy concerts. That reputation only grew, literally and figuratively, as he graduated into arenas and stadiums after 1977’s The Stranger. That makes his stop at the Spectrum in Philadelphia on The Bridge tour a unique evening.
EP 103 – Concert Classics: Live At The Spectrum, Philadelphia – 1986 Read More »
1993 was both the kickoff to a new album cycle and the end of an era for Billy Joel. River of Dreams came out in August, and was certified three times platinum by the end of the year. It was preceded by what was now a well-oiled publicity machine, and followed immediately by a world
EP 102 – Year In Review: 1993 Read More »
With 2023 coming to a close, we’re taking a look back at our year of podcasting and what’s happened in the world of Billy Joel. As always for our last episode of the year, we’re bringing some leftovers to the table: Odds and ends that didn’t quite make it into other episodes. Don’t worry, they’re
EP 101 – 2023 Odds & Ends (with Edward Odowd) Read More »
If you had to explain why Liberty DeVitto is a great drummer to someone who’d never heard a BIlly Joel record, how would you do it? That’s the question we’re exploring in our 100th episode. It’s a somewhat tricky proposition. Liberty’s a well-regarded drummer who’s played on dozens of Top 20 records and toured with
EP 100 – Liberty DeVitto’s Greatest Hits Read More »
Every two weeks, Michael and I release a podcast episode where we tell someone else’s stories. Except that’s not quite true. As we discuss every note on an album, or labor over every second of a concert recording, we also talk about ourselves. It’s one way music becomes more than just art. Billy Joel’s story
EP 099 – Playlist #8 – Telling Stories About Telling Stories Read More »
To paraphrase another famous rock band, Billy Joel’s The Vinyl Collection, Vol. 2 goes to 11. The box set treats fans to 21 years of classic songs with just shy of a dozen records. That’s including an album never released on vinyl before, and a long-awaited expanded version of a fan favorite. Released November 3,
EP 098 – Billy Joel – The Vinyl Collection, Vol. 2 (with John Jackson & Edward Odowd) Read More »
The My Lives box set is a curious addition to the Billy Joel discography. The four-CD / one-DVD set, released in 2005, is a mix of unreleased demos, alternate takes, live recordings, cover songs, and a handful of album tracks. At the time, it was the first glimpse many fans got at unreleased material and
EP 097 – Album Retrospective: My Lives Disc 1 Read More »
Unreleased for decades, Billy Joel’s 1972 Sigma Sound Studios concert was arguably the kick-start to his career. With a flop record in Cold Spring Harbor under his belt. Billy and his then-backing band performed live on the air for WMMR in Philadelphia. The session yielded a version of “Captain Jack” that became the station’s most-requested
EP 096 – Concert Classics: Live At Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia – 1972 Read More »
With a new album out and a New York-based band in place, Billy Joel was starting to heat up in 1976. His show at the Bottom Line in Manhattan on June 10th of that year is the proof. The album, Turnstiles, had just come out a few weeks prior. And the orchestra, as Billy was
EP 095 – Concert Classics: Live At The Bottom Line 1976 + Vinyl Box Set Announcement Read More »
In 2015, Billy Joel wasn’t just selling out shows. He was making headlines across the nation. His songwriting was praised by everyone from George Gershwin to Snoop Dogg. He made an unexpected festival appearance, and journalists were diving into his history, introducing him to a brand new generation of fans. It’s almost hard to believe
EP 094 – Year In Review: 2015 Read More »
Billy Joel’s An Innocent Man album earned him a new generation of fans upon its release in 1983. But the accompanying tour didn’t kick off until the next calendar year. Dubbed “From A Piano Man to An Innocent Man,” the shows were unlike any other Billy had mounted until this point. The core band was
EP 093 – Tour Retrospective: From A Piano Man To An Innocent Man Tour 1984 Read More »
With An Innocent Man, Billy Joel took an important step forward by taking a big leap backward. Released August 8, 1983, the ten-song album sold a million copies within two months of its release and four million just a year later. And, it boasts a Number One single with two more hitting the Top Ten.
EP 092 – Album Retrospective: An Innocent Man Read More »
In 1987, Billy Joel and his band embarked on an unprecedented tour of the Soviet Union. And, when the original documentary “A Matter of Trust” came out, fans got a behind-the-scenes look at what turned out to be a controversial career move. At the time, the country was still under Communist rule, shrouded in secrecy,
EP 091 – Video Retrospective: A Matter Of Trust (1991 Documentary) Read More »
The first song on an album sets the stage for the record, but what about the closer? Should the last song act as a grand finale, leave you wanting more, or exist somewhere in between? In this episode, we’re finding out what worked best for Billy Joel. We’re ranking the closing songs on his
EP 090 – Billy Joel Album Closers Ranked Read More »
Summer is upon us and we are entering the season of celebrating Billy Joel’s An Innocent Man. In celebration of the album’s 40th anniversary, I (Michael) wanted to kick things off with this playlist episode. I’m celebrating the songs that inspired An Innocent Man. Some are obvious and some are more subtle but these next
EP 089 – Playlist #7 – Songs That Inspired ’An Innocent Man’ Read More »
Live in Frankfurt is probably the closest BIlly Joel got to being in a Spinal Tap sequel. The show, recorded on June 18, 1994, is just as notable for its mishaps as it is the band’s solid performance. The show captures the band on the River of Dreams tour, and the full video gives a
EP 088 – Concert Classics: Frankfurt, Germany – June 18, 1994 Read More »
Greatest Hits Volume III had a lot to live up to. Volumes one and two documented Billy on a hot streak, releasing hit after hit and album after album. Those compilation records, released in one double package, became an iconic, best-selling release all its own. By contrast, Greatest Hits Volume III came out a few
EP 087 – Album Retrospective: Billy Joel Greatest Hits Volume III Read More »
For over five decades, Billy Joel’s illustrious career has produced a wealth of media, capturing his journey as one of the 20th century’s most celebrated songwriters. Enter John Jackson, Billy’s full-time archivist, tasked with collecting and organizing artifacts that range from photos and newspaper clippings to studio outtakes and raw video footage. Some items become
EP 086 – In Conversation With Billy Joel Archivist John Jackson Read More »
Fans and critics alike took Billy Joel’s live shows in 1976 and 1977 as a sign that Turnstiles was going to be his big break. That wasn’t the case, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. Starting six weeks before the album’s May 1976 release, the Turnstiles tour was Billy’s most intense schedule to date.
EP 085 – Turnstiles Tour 1976-77 Read More »
Billy Joel: The Video Album Volume II is another back and forth across Billy’s discography. The ten selections here vary from promo reels shot in the 1970s, unvarnished black-and-white live footage and barebones soundstage performances in the early 80s, to full-blown stylized and choreographed productions from the peak of the MTV era. Once again, we’re
EP 084 – Video Retrospective: The Video Album Volume II Read More »
In late 2021, a hidden gem in Billy Joel’s history was released as part of a nine-record Box Set The Vinyl Collection Volume One. The two-LP Live at The Great American Music Hall was recorded in 1975 over several nights in San Francisco. It captured the band in transition before Billy kicked off recording sessions
Turnstiles is almost an overlooked gem in Billy Joel’s catalog. Released in 1976, the album featured many of the musicians that would go on to define his sound over the next decade of records And, many of the songs became concert classics and fan favorites in the years to come. At the time, however, it
EP 082 – Album Retrospective: Turnstiles Read More »
This year, Billy Joel is embarking on his first co-headlining tour since 2009. And, the Glass Houses Podcast was there on opening night. Billed as “Two Icons, One Night,” the Billy Joel / Stevie Nicks tour kicked off on March 10, 2023 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Prior to the show, fans were curious
EP 081 – Opening Night Of The Billy Joel & Stevie Nicks Tour Read More »
Just because a song is pressed to vinyl doesn’t mean it’s set in cement. Any band playing the same song live for years or even decades is bound to stray from the original arrangement. Billy Joel is no exception. And, given his dissatisfaction with his earliest records, it’s no surprise that some of his oldest
EP 080 – Evolution Of A Song (”Everybody Loves You Now” + ”Say Goodbye To Hollywood”) Read More »
Here at Glass Houses – A Billy Joel Podcast, we’re not just Billy Joel fans. We’re also fans of other podcasts. Since setting up shop in early 2020, we’ve connected with other podcasters with shows about music. Some of them have had us on as guests, and now we’re happy to return the favor. For
EP 079 – Content Creator Roundtable #1 Read More »
1989 was a high water mark for Billy Joel’s career. He released another chart-topping album, Storm Front, and its number-one hit “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” That single also found a home in history classrooms around the United States – a feat fitting for someone who once aspired to be a teacher. But the events
EP 078 – Year In Review: 1989 Read More »
Billy’s return to touring in 2006 included a stop at one of the oldest arenas in the world. The concert was captured for posterity with a beautifully-shot, full-length video available for free online. On July 31, 2006, Billy and the band, minus a key member, played outdoors at the Coliseum in Rome. It was many
EP 077 – Concert Classics: Rome, Italy – July 31, 2006 Read More »
The Nylon Curtain turned 40 last September, and we can’t help but take one last look at it as we start the new year. Back in September, we did our album spotlight where we discussed the history and making of the album along with our track-by-track commentary. This time, we’re speaking with two people who
EP 076 – Behind The Nylon Curtain (with Brad Leigh & Larry Franke) Read More »
Sometimes the best part of a big meal is the leftovers. There’s nothing like taking a little bit of everything from the night before, heating it up, and settling in for a second round. And, for the second year in a row, just in time for the holidays, that’s what we’re doing here at Glass
EP 075 – 2022 Odds & Ends (with Steve Cohen, Jon Small, & Brad Leigh) Read More »
There are more than just musicians behind a great-sounding album. No matter how well they play, or how good the songs are, it doesn’t mean much if the recording doesn’t capture them the right way. And, when it came to many of Billy Joel’s most iconic albums, the person responsible for shaping much of their
EP 074 – Remembering Jim Boyer (with Brad Leigh & Larry Franke) Read More »
Did you know there’s a connection between Billy Joel and one of the most popular cartoons of the 1980s? We didn’t know either until a few weeks ago. Recently, Michael and I interviewed Larry Franke, who was second engineer on Songs in the Attic and the Nylon Curtain. During the conversation, Larry mentioned that, after
EP 073 – Glass Houses Playlist #6 – Thundercats (Larry & Anthony’s Song) Read More »
Filmed over two nights in June 1990, Live at Yankee Stadium was a hit on VHS and on cable TV upon its release later that year. But, it’s been overlooked in the decades after, with only a handful of songs available and a production style that quickly felt dated. But, that’s all changed with a
EP 072 – Billy Joel Live At Yankee Stadium (Unboxing + Track By Track Overview) Read More »
Michael & Jack meet for the first time at the Live at Yankee Stadium sneak preview. Plus conversations with Rusell Javors and Dan Orlando.
EP 071 – Michael & Jack Meet + Conversation with Russell Javors & Dan Orlando Read More »
There are make-or-break moments in every successful musician’s career. Sometimes they’re huge, cataclysmic events. Other times, they’re subtle nods that point a performer in the right direction. For Billy Joel, a pair of shows in November of 1973 was the latter. And, we have the tapes to prove it. Piano Man had just been released,
EP 070 – Concert Classics: Roxy Theatre – Northampton, PA – November 28, 1973 Read More »
For someone who hasn’t released an album in nearly 30 years, Billy Joel is all over the TV. His music, his touring band, and his likeness get featured regularly on sitcoms, primetime dramas, prestige shows, and cartoons made for, for lack of a better word, mature audiences. These pop culture references have helped keep Billy
EP 069 – Billy Joel In Pop Culture (Part 1) Read More »
The Nylon Curtain wasn’t nearly as popular as Billy Joel’s albums just before and after this release. But, it still spawned a handful of hits, classics, and perennial fan favorites and concert staples. And today, it’s regarded by fans and critics as Billy’s most accomplished artistic statement. Released in 1982, The Nylon Curtain came just
EP 068 – Album Retrospective: The Nylon Curtain Read More »
Even when looking at five decades of songwriting, album releases and concerts, 1978 stands as arguably the busiest, most successful, and most defining year of Billy Joel’s career. The year began with the smash hit album The Stranger still racing up the charts after its release the previous fall. 12 months later, Billy would wrap
EP 067 – Year In Review: 1978 Read More »
This fall, an often-overlooked live Billy Joel release is getting a second lease on life. The 1990 video release Live At Yankee Stadium is getting a makeover with remixed and remastered sound, an extra song, and a brand new edit. And, after a limited run in theaters, it’ll be available on Blu-ray along with a
EP 066 – Billy Joel Live At Yankee Stadium (with Steve Cohen & Jon Small) Read More »
By 1984, Billy Joel was known for changing styles from album to album. What’s less recognized was how often he changed voices. And, one night that year in England, those voices were all on display. Close listening to any Billy Joel record reveals a variety of tones, accents, and affectations in the singing. Add to
EP 065 – Concert Classics: Live in London, 1984 Read More »
This is the second installment of our two-part series covering Billy Joel’s television appearances from 1980 through 1984. While the bulk of the spots we’ve covered so far found him promoting The Nylon Curtain, the latter batch has him on the promotional trail for the An Innocent Man album and addressing his tabloid notoriety with
EP 064 – Billy Joel 1980-1984 TV Appearances (Part 2) Read More »
If people used to buy albums for the front cover, then they got to know the music at home while checking out the back. The flip side of a record jacket should complement the album and front artwork while giving listeners more to explore as they listened at home. Billy’s albums are no exception. While
EP 063 – Billy Joel Back Covers Ranked Read More »
By 1980. Billy Joel was ready for prime time. Starting with a feature on 20/20 during the lead up to Glass Houses, he graduated from just playing a song or two on a talk show to getting regular MTV spotlights, being the subject of news features, and appearing on morning shows for a week at
EP 062 – Billy Joel 1980-1984 TV Appearances (Part 1) Read More »
When Billy Joel’s The Nylon Curtain was released into the world in the fall of 1982, it was considered one of his most ambitious albums to date. Despite the rich layer and textures of the album’s sonic landscape, many of the songs translated to a live setting with apparent ease. The Nylon Curtain saw our
EP 061 – Glass Houses Playlist #5 – The Nylon Curtain Live Through The Years Read More »
Years before Billy Joel started doing master classes, and long before MTV stopped showing music videos, there was Night School. Broadcast in late 1982, Night School was a half-hour show on MTV where Billy fielded questions from an audience of young fans. Fresh off the success of The Nylon Curtain, he tells stories, gives some
EP 060 – MTV Night School 1982 Read More »
Billy Joel may not be the first artist that comes to mind when you think of MTV. But, he was making music videos before the landmark cable channel got its start in 1981. A close look at those videos reveals the progression of the medium as it became more popular, more stylized, and more important
EP 059 – Video Retrospective: The Video Album Volume I Read More »
1969 should have been the year Billy Joel broke through. Today, we know it would be another few years before his solo career began, and a few more after that until things really took off. Instead, the end of the decade saw his longtime band put out a second album that went nowhere. Then, the
EP 058 – Year In Review: 1969 Read More »
With the appearance of the Kirin Dry Gigs from 1988 appearing on YouTube earlier this year, a long-lost footnote in Billy Joel history has finally resurfaced. This one-off gig in Japan finds Billy performing with just one member of his longtime touring band. They’re joined by players who performed on other tours in the 80s,
EP 057 – Concert Classics: Kirin Dry Gigs ’88 – Tokyo, Japan Read More »
The Covid-19 pandemic and quarantines of 2020 caused disruptions in the music industry that we’re still feeling a few years later. But while we’re fortunate that the lack of live music will fade into memory, the releases of quarantine albums may very well add up to an interesting reflection of these unprecedented times. With no
EP 056 – Reimagining The Nylon Curtain with Johnny Lied Read More »
2022 is turning out to be a big year for Billy Joel. Just by the end of February, fans enjoyed a unique weekend of music in a city where Billy doesn’t often play. And, new vinyl releases expanding on last year’s box set, include an album few fans have ever owned on vinyl before. We’re
EP 055 – 2008 Tour, Walmart Vinyl, Billy Joel & Metallica Vegas Weekend Read More »
Billy Joel’s second solo album included his most iconic song. And the one that provided his breakthrough success and pointed the way for his post-West Coast work. But surrounding the title track and “Captain Jack” are the sounds of a songwriter still finding his way. Fortunately for us, that path is still pretty exciting. Released
EP 054 – Album Retrospective: Piano Man Read More »
For Billy Joel, or at least his record label, 1997 seems to be a year of acknowledgement. It had been four years since his last album, and since then Billy had been telling anyone who’d listen that he was finished writing pop songs. Now, it seemed like Columbia Records was ready to accept that –
EP 053 – Year In Review: 1997 Read More »
If you’ve gone to one of Billy Joel’s Madison Square Garden residency shows, saw one of his concerts near your hometown, or picked up any of his reissues or box sets over the past decade plus, then you’re familiar with the work of Edward O’Dowd. Since 2008, the graphic designer and art director has created
EP 052 – In Conversation with Billy Joel Art Director Edward O’Dowd Read More »
Whoever said, “You can’t judge a book by its cover” never had to design the front of a rock and roll album. Before the internet put all the music in the world at everyone’s fingertips, that front cover first served as a siren call to anyone browsing in a record store. Then, when you sat
EP 051 – Billy Joel Album Covers Ranked Read More »
Spread over three days in Cuba, the Havana Jam ‘79 featured Columbia recording artists alongside native musicians and bands. It was a monumental, historic event that hardly anyone knows about anymore. But Ernesto Juan knows the story. And, he’s been trying to tell it for the past decade. The Cuban-born journalist, documentarian and translator became
EP 050 – Havana Jam ’79 (with documentarian Ernesto Juan) Read More »
Sometimes the best part about the holidays are the leftovers. Picking at the feast you just enjoyed the day before can taste better than when it was just cooked. And, as the 2021 holiday season wraps up, we’re bringing you a second helping of Glass Houses – A Billy Joel Podcast. It’s been an amazing
EP 049 – 2021 Odds & Ends (with Liberty DeVitto & Jesse Javors) Read More »
Once again, we’re taking a break from Billy — mostly, anyway — during those weird weeks between Thanksgiving and the winter holidays to bring you some different music. Jack’s at the board with a playlist that’s split into three categories. First up is “I’ve Loved These Days.” It’s a somewhat tongue-in-cheek way of looking at
EP 048 – Glass Houses Playlist #4 Read More »
Welcome back to our two-part series on Russell Javors. As the rhythm guitarist for Billy Joel, Russell was a fixture in Billy’s band on record and on stage for much of their storied run from 1976’s Turnstiles through 1986’s The Bridge. His playing was always understated and in service to the song, but at the
EP 047 – Russell Javors Part 2 (in conversation with Russell Javors) Read More »
Billy Joel released his first solo album, Cold Spring Harbor, in November 1971. Almost 50 years to the day, his fans are celebrating a string of exciting new announcements. In our most timely episode yet, we’ll cover the latest developments in the Billy Joel world. On Friday, November 5, Billy brought his record-breaking residency back
EP 046 – Vinyl Box Set, Return to The Garden, Billy & Metallica in Vegas …and more! Read More »
Billy Joel’s monthly residency at Madison Square Garden resumes on November 5th after nearly a year and a half off due to the pandemic. In the leadup to the show, we sat down with guitarist Mike DelGuidice to talk about what he’s been up to during that time. Even with the Garden shows and annual
EP 045 – In Conversation with Mike Delguidice Read More »
Probably the last thing you think of when it comes to Billy Joel’s music is reggae but that influence is there. And if it’s subtle, it’s because it comes from arguably the most understated member of the classic Lords of 52nd Street, Russell Javors. In a band where the spotlight is squarely on the piano,
EP 044 – Russell Javors Part 1 (with special guests) Read More »
The fact that a Billy Joel bootleg is named after a Bruce Springsteen song should clue in the listener that this show’s a little different from what you may expect. Recorded at Maurice Gusman Concert Hall in Miami, FL on October 31, 1977, Thunder Road isn’t a radical change from the Billy we know. But,
EP 043 – Concert Classics: Thunder Road – Live in Miami, 1977 Read More »
Almost a decade after the breakout hit album The Stranger, the Billy Joel machine was showing some signs of wear. That strain was evident on his 1986 album The Bridge. After a string of multi-platinum, chart-topping, and award-winning records, Billy was worn out and wanted to be home with his family instead of back in
EP 042 – Album Retrospective: The Bridge Read More »
Here’s an interview with Richie Cannata. That’s it. No great fanfare, no big intro. We just had a blast talking with Billy Joel’s longtime sax, organ, flute, accordion, and piano player, and we’re sharing that conversation with you. There’s a lot of great stuff here: Deep trivia about Billy Joel tracks and live performances, stories
EP 041 – In Conversation with Richie Cannata Read More »
The Stranger made Billy Joel a superstar back in 1977. Three years later, his career really launched into overdrive. In 1980, Billy was still reaping the benefits of two Grammy-Award winning albums. In March, he took his next step forward by releasing Glass Houses. That album would become a smash hit with a leaner sound
EP 040 – Year In Review: 1980 Read More »
In the mid 80s, Billy Joel penned the lyric “After 1986 what else could be n ew?” If you were to judge that based on his 1989 hit “We Didn’t Start The Fire,” you’d think he meant it. But a closer look at that video and the others from the Storm Front album suggest otherwise.
EP 039 – Video Retrospective: Eye of The Storm + More Read More »
We’re back with another playlist episode this week. We have so much fun putting these together and sharing some of our favorite music with you all. Michael is back with another playlist of some favorites over the past several years. From 90s alternative to 2010s soul and singer/songwriters, these have been mainstays for Michael and
EP 038 – Glass Houses Playlist #3 Read More »
Twenty-seven years ago this month, two titans of pop music teamed up for a run of sold-out shows that would set the tone for tours to come. We’re talking about the first Face to Face tour featuring Billy Joel and Elton John. In the summer of 1994, the two hit-making piano players shared the stage
EP 037 – Face to Face Tour 1994 with Elton John Read More »
By the end of the seventies, Billy Joel had found success with a formula that blended elements of pop, rock, and jazz around a singer-songwriter frame. And, he was about to turn all that on its side. The Live In Houston 1979 bootleg is proof of it. The video features Billy and the Lords of
EP 036 – Concert Classics: Live in Houston, 1979 Read More »
An album’s first track has a lot to live up to. The song must engage the listener right away and get them excited for what’s to come. Sometimes, it’s the record’s lead single and hopefully the band’s next hit. Other times, it’s just the song most likely to get people excited. Or, it’s a little
EP 035 – Album Openers Ranked Read More »
Usually, a late-career live album is a victory lap, an excuse to tour, or at worst, an excuse to make some extra cash. For Billy Joel, however, it was a sign that he was back on the scene. Released on June 13, 2006, 12 Gardens Live is a two-disc set. It features performances from Billy’s
EP 034 – Album Retrospective: 12 Gardens Live Read More »
Pardon the pun, but for Billy Joel, 1988 was the calm before the storm. Billy and the band had just come off an exhausting, groundbreaking two-year tour that saw them on four continents. And, they capped it all off with a historic run of six shows in the now-former USSR. Billy was the first pop
EP 033 – Year In Review: 1988 + Awards Show Appearances Part 2 Read More »
What changes when other piano players perform Billy Joel’s music? What elements shine through? What’s it like to be tasked with performing music written by one of the most popular recording artists of the 20th century? This is the second installment of our two-part series where we talk with piano players who have been tasked
EP 032 – Interpreting Billy Part 2 (with Hyung-ki Joo) Read More »
Billy Joel is no stranger to awards shows and other accolades. Following 1977’s The Stranger, he’s won a handful of industry awards, was nominated for plenty more, and gave a few memorable — and in, one case, literally show stopping — performances. And, when you’re tracking award show appearances over three decades, you also start
EP 031 – Awards Show Appearances Part 1 + Conversation with Evan Toth Read More »
After 1993’s River of Dreams, fans waited and wondered if Billy Joel would ever release another pop album. The answer, as we know now, turned out to be no. But, nearly a decade after that release, we saw a new development for Billy’s music. The first years of the new century saw three new releases
EP 030 – Interpreting Billy Part 1 (with Michael Cavanaugh) Read More »
Billy Joel’s last album is a study in contrasts. It sounds like a new beginning, when it was really the end of an era. It alternated between gritty, angular rhythms and sweet, flowing melodies. It’s arguably one of his most divisive albums. Yet it earned him a handful of award nominations, a new generation of
EP 029 – Album Retrospective: River of Dreams Read More »
Apart from the botched release of Cold Spring Harbor, 1971 was a surprisingly low-key year for Billy Joel. His teenage band collapsed a few years before. And the proto-metal power duo that rose from its ashes failed to gain any traction. Broke, depressed, and aimless, Billy was ready to leave the music industry for good.
EP 028 – Year In Review: 1971 Read More »
It’s easy to overlook most of Billy Joel’s The Bridge Tour concert dates from 1986 and 1987. The shows, which spanned four continents, were in support of one of Billy’s arguably weakest albums. Meanwhile, these dates are eclipsed by the handful of landmark shows he played in the USSR at the tail end of the
EP 027 – The Bridge Tour 1986-87 Read More »
This may be the beginning of 2021, but this installment marks the end of our first 12 months of episodes. So, we decided to do something special for the occasion. We’re hosting a round table with some of the biggest Billy Joel fans we know. It’s an opportunity for us all to chat about the
EP 026 – Superfan Round Table #1 Read More »
WIlliam Martin Joel had released three solo albums by the beginning of 1976. In many ways, however, that was the year he became the Billy we all know today. It was the year he recorded and released Turnstiles, finally winning his battle with CBS records to cut an album with his touring band. That band,
EP 025 – Year In Review: 1976 Read More »
We’re kicking off 2021 with a look back and a look forward at Billy Joel’s work, his fans, and the music industry in general. This episode features two sets of interviews. The first is with Mikhail Pivovarov and Billy Ruegger from the online music collective Love Raptor. We’ll go behind the scenes of their funk
EP 024 – Looking Forward & Looking Back (with Love Raptor & Bradshaw Leigh) Read More »
When it comes to Billy Joel’s most successful run of albums, you can’t talk about the man behind the piano without also talking about the man behind the board: Phil Ramone. By the time Phil and Billy teamed up, Ramone was already a renowned engineer and innovator in the recording studio. His discography included landmark albums
EP 023 – Phil Ramone (with Bradshaw Leigh & Russell Javors) Read More »
Billy Joel’s World Tour from 2006 through 2007 turned out to be a true page-turner in his career. He’d played virtually no concerts the previous two years. And by the end of 2003 his performances were getting just a little stale. But, you’d never know that from the 110 or so dates he mounted when
EP 022 – 2006-2007 World Tour Read More »
This holiday week, settle in with some classic songs, a small glimpse into the Philadelphia music scene, and some exciting new artists making music today! This is our second playlist episode, where Jack and Michael take turns playing DJ to spin some tunes and tell some stories behind them. Jack’s on the turntable (literally, in
EP 021 – Glass Houses Playlist #2 Read More »
Date: May 14, 1974 City/State: Boston, MA Venue: Orpheum Theatre Supporting: Jesse Colin Young & Livingston Taylor The Setlist: Travelin’ Prayer Somewhere Along The Line Technical Difficulty Blues Piano Man The Entertainer The Ballad of Billy The Kid Worse Comes To Worst Everybody Loves You Now Captain Jack Ain’t No Crime —— In less than 50 minutes,
EP 020 – Concert Classics: Orpheum Theatre, Boston, MA, 1974 Read More »
They say it’s always darkest before the dawn. If that’s true, then the sun rose for Billy Joel in 1983. That’s not to say things were bleak before then. But the past year or so carried a more somber tone. In 1982, Billy was in a bad motorcycle accident that left his hands severely injured for
EP 019 – Year In Review: 1983 Read More »
Sometimes, the best way to find out what makes a songwriter special is hearing someone else sing their songs. Listening to how other artists interpret their work brings out aspects of the music that weren’t as obvious before. That’s what Michael and Jack discovered when they put this episode together. This week, They’re diving into
EP 018 – Billy Joel Cover Songs By Other Artists Read More »
1974 saw Billy Joel back in the studio mere months after 1973’s Piano Man. Billy wasn’t ready for a new album but pushed his way through to complete Streetlife Serenade which was released October 11, 1974 on Columbia Records. The album peaked at #35 on the album charts and featured the single “The Entertainer,” which
EP 017 – Album Retrospective: Streetlife Serenade Read More »
Artists who rose to stardom in the 1970s were the first generation to have that rise documented on TV cameras. Billy Joel was no exception. Michael & Jack comb through as many of Billy’s 1970’s TV appearances as they could find to share their observations along the way. Watching these in chronological order, you really
EP 016 – Billy Joel 1970s TV Appearances Read More »
The year was 2003 and once again, Billy was at a crossroads. He mounted a shorter Face To Face tour with Elton John before taking one of the longest hiatuses of his career which would stretch into the end of 2005. Michael & Jack chronicle a year in which saw depression, Billy vocally discussing retiring,
EP 015 – Year In Review: 2003 Read More »
The year was 1987. Billy and the band were well into their tour supporting The Bridge album. An incredible opportunity came along that would change everyone involved’s life forever. Billy Joel and his band became the first American pop act to bring a full-scale touring production to Russia. While other US artists had played behind
EP 014 – 1987 Tour of Russia Read More »
In 1993, Billy Joel began work on what would become his final pop studio album, River of Dreams. What began with he and his live band tracking in a makeshift studio in a boathouse on the east end of Long Island, ended with a new producer, new musicians, and a new direction. Michael & Jack
EP 013 – Video Retrospective: Shades of Grey Read More »
Liberty DeVitto is the drummer that Billy Joel chose to record those unforgettable albums and memorable tours between 1975 and 2005. Michael & Jack discuss his brand new autobiography Liberty: Life, Billy and the Pursuit of Happiness which is out now from Hudson Music. Join us for a special candid conversation with Liberty DeVitto as
EP 012 – In Conversation with drummer Liberty DeVitto Read More »
Michael & Jack take their first dip into a classic Billy Joel concert from the past. They discuss the famed C.W. Post College concert recorded in Greenvale, NY on May 6, 1977. This concert was also broadcast live in New York and Philadelphia as Billy and the band tear through some classics and road test two
EP 011 – Concert Classics: Live At C.W. Post, 1977 Read More »
On this episode, Michael & Jack celebrate the life and music of Billy Joel bassist Doug Stegmeyer. Known as The Sergeant, Doug played bass in the Billy Joel band from 1975 which he joined for the Streetlife Serenader tour and continued on through the end of The Bridge Tour in 1988. We discuss many of
EP 010 – Doug Stegmeyer (with special guests) Read More »
We’re bringing you something a little different for this episode. To say things have been crazy lately, is an understatement. We weren’t able to pull together a regular episode in time but still wanted to bring you something. Introducing the GLASS HOUSES PLAYLIST. Michael & Jack will take turns playing DJ to spin some tunes
EP 009 – Glass Houses Playlist #1 Read More »
1985 brings us Billy Joel’s first Greatest Hits release with Greatest Hits Volume I & II which covered songs from 1973’s Piano Man through the two new songs for 1985, “You’re Only Human (Second Wind)” and “The Night Is Still Young.” Greatest Hits Volume I & II has gone on to be one of the
EP 008 – Album Retrospective: Billy Joel Greatest Hits Volume I & II Read More »
Michael & Jack revisit the historic 2008 Shea Stadium concerts from Flushing, New York in Queens. The Beatles performed the first concert at Shea and New York’s son, Billy Joel, appropriately closed out the stadium with the final two concerts before the Shea’s ultimate demolition. This viewing / listening companion goes song by song through
EP 007 – Live Album & Video Retrospective: Live At Shea Stadium Read More »
The year was 1994 and Billy Joel is a few months into his hugely successful River of Dreams Tour. Michael & Jack look back at this year in review which proved to be a pivotal year for Billy as he wrapped up support for his final studio album, launched the first incarnation of the hugely
EP 006 – Year In Review: 1994 Read More »
Michael & Jack dust off the crates and reminisce about some classic Billy Joel 45s, soundtrack appearances, remixes and more! The songs covered in this episode are: – Elvis Presley Blvd. – You’ve Got Me Hummin’ (Live) – I’ll Cry Instead (Live) – House of Blue Light – You Picked A Real Bad Time –
EP 005 – B-Sides, Rarities and Soundtrack Songs Read More »
While keeping at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, Michael & Jack decided to launch a sub-series of live episode broadcasts on Facebook. This first live episode was recorded on Tuesday April 7, 2020. Here, we discuss a few top 5 Billy lists, talk about how we are keeping busy while under stay at home orders,
LIVE EP 002 – Stay At Home Special #2 Read More »
Michael & Jack present a song by song companion of the 1983 home video concert release Live From Long Island. Having been out of print for some 30+ years now, this concert is a must see and highlights Billy and the band firing on all cylinders as they transition into an arena touring band in the
EP 004 – Video Retrospective: Live From Long Island Read More »
While keeping at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, Michael & Jack decided to launch a sub-series of live episode broadcasts on Facebook. This first live episode was recorded on Wednesday March 25, 2020. Here, we discuss how the podcast came to be, roll out a few top 5 Billy lists, discuss some of our other
LIVE EP 001 – Stay At Home Special #1 Read More »
Michael & Jack revisit Billy’s first album, from its pre-production demos, to the botched finished product under Artie Ripp’s Family Productions, Columbia’s 1983 remix and reissue, and everything in between.
EP 003 – Album Retrospective: Cold Spring Harbor Read More »
Michael & Jack discuss some tidbits and trivia surrounding Billy Joel’s career. Topics include: Albums sales and stats Billy’s role in new digital technology during the 80s Different versions of the Big Shot music video Early touring days in the Lehigh Valley And more!
EP 002 – Billy Joel Tidbits & Trivia Read More »
Michael & Jack discuss how and when they discovered Billy Joel’s music, their connections to former drummer Liberty DeVitto, the first albums they bought, their concert experiences, and more.
EP 001 – Our Backstory Read More »
Life-long Billy Joel fans, Michael Grosvenor and Jack Firneno, team up to share stories and take deep dives into Billy’s songs, tours, albums, band members and much more. Join us in celebrating the life and music of Billy Joel.
Trailer: Glass Houses – A Billy Joel Podcast Read More »
