Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden

Billy Joel played 150 shows at Madison Square Garden between 1978 and 2024.  Virtually all were sellouts. The historic run is a testament to the loyalty of Billy’s fans, his team’s logistical and marketing creativity – and, of course, his music’s enduring, generation-spanning appeal.

Starting with the tour his 52nd Street album, each of Billy’s album cycles, except for one, included multiple dates at the world-renowned New York City venue. Those amounted to 30 shows. He played an extended show on December 31, 1999, released as “2000 Years: The Millennium Concert” in May 2000. Then twice in 2002 alongside Elton John as part of the duo’s periodic “Face to Face” tours. 

After a lull in the early 2000s, Joel cemented his legacy at Madison Square Garden. First came a dozen shows in 2006. Recordings from these comprised his “12 Gardens Live” release later that year. Next came his monthly residency at the Garden in 2014. The 10-year run featured dozens of surprise guest performers and an Emmy-nominated television special.

Glass Houses: A Billy Joel Podcast celebrates Billy Joel’s groundbreaking Madison Square Garden shows with five episodes covering: