Billy Joel Bids Farewell to Madison Square Garden After 102 Sold-Out Shows
Billy Joel put lyrics into reality when he sang his hit song ‘Movin’ Out' for one last time at Madison Square Garden last night.
The 75-year-old iconic musician and native Long Islander officially ended his unbelievable run at The World's Most Famous Arena that saw him play 104 consecutive sold out shows while bringing in a nice, cool $260 million thanks to over 1.9 million tickets sold. In total, Joel used his piano to rock and soothe the Garden 150 times - an unbelievable feat that truly hit home when a banner was lifted to grace the rafters forever during his final show.
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Jimmy Fallon helps raise a Billy Joel concert banner as the musician has ended his long run at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
BILLY JOEL ENDS HISTROIC 104 CONSECUTIVE SHOW STREAK AT THE GARDEN
For the most part, last night's show went like the countless other ones he did - playing all the hits which I've written time and time again that the average person who doesn't appreciate Billy Joel may not even realize his discography. The guy has put together absolute CLASSICS - Piano Man, Only The Good Die Young, We Didn't Start The Fire, Movin' Out, The Longest Time, Captain Jack, River of Dreams, Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, New York State of Mind - all these songs are absolute jams and have stood the test of time.
Fans in attendance last night heard these plus some other special moments. Joel brought his young daughters out to help him sing his classic, "My Life" song as he appeared to pass the torch, or I mean piano to the next generation.
Surprisingly, there was only one special quest that came out last night - an aging and dad-dad-rocking Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses. The two would end up singing the GnR classic ‘Live and Let Die,’ and then AC/DC's ‘Highway To Hell’ which you may need earplugs if you listen to it here due to Axl's singing being way off.
A-LISTERS LINED BACKSTAGE
Although there weren't many surprises on stage, there were plenty of VIPs backstage to take in Joel's final show. Among them was New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft as well as former President Bill Clinton. NYC Mayor Eric Adams would also bestow Joel with a key to New York City.
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Former US President Bill Clinton and Billy Joel backstage before he performs during the last show of his residency at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
Although last night was BIlly Joel's official end to his MSG residency, the PIanoman has not put the piano away. He is set to tour later this year and next yard with Stevie Nicks and some dates with Rod Stewart - which is good news for someone like me who awes not going to drop the $3,000 single ticket price that was being resold for last night's show.
I'll just wait for the next run. Hell, it's the least I could do to thank Billy for making me go viral on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert!