Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast
116 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago -Join lifelong Billy Joel fans, Michael and Jack, as they take deep dives in to Billy’s history, songs, albums, tours, band members, and more. Part of Pantheon Podcasts,
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Episodes
EP 110 - Tour Retrospective: Storm Front Tour 1989-1991
April 23, 2024 11:07 - 1 hourBilly 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. The tour was a necessity to earn back millions of dollars that Billy’s former manager, Frank Weber, had stolen from him over the previous few years. It also featured a revamped lineup that saw both bassist Doug Stegmeyer and guitarist Russell Javors out of the lineup for the first time since 1976. Starting in...
EP 109 - Year In Review: 2014
April 09, 2024 11:05 - 1 hour2014 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. Billy kicked off his Madison Square Garden residency in January of 2014, which he supported with a number of high-profile media appearances. The unprecedented run earned him plenty of press throughout the year, and his SiriusXM ...
EP 108 - Album Retrospective: Billy Joel Live Through The Years - Japan Edition
March 26, 2024 11:15 - 1 hourWhat 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 culminating with a limited-release single, it tracks how Billy’s live show evolved through multiple bands and increasingly larger venues and audiences. Join us as we dig d...
EP 107 - Back down the River of Dreams with Zachary Alford
March 12, 2024 11:00 - 1 hourThe River of Dreams album was Billy Joel’s introduction to a new generation of fans in the early 90s. With chart-topping songs, a notorious Grammy appearance, and an extensive world tour, it was a landmark in Billy’s career. But for drummer Zachary Alford, it was one of his first experiences in a major label session, and another step in his quickly-blossoming career. Hot on the heels of high-profile world tours, Zachary got the call to come in cold to a session at the Hit Factory in New Y...
EP 106 - Album Retrospective: The Hassles First Album
February 27, 2024 12:00 - 1 hourBefore 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 was the organ player who contributed a few original songs and vocals. For this album episode, we’re reviewing the deluxe re-release from 1992. It contains the entire first album, plus 8 additiona...
EP 105 - Billy Joel Love Songs + Turn The Lights Back On & Grammy Performance
February 13, 2024 12:00 - 1 hourIt’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 doing more than discussing the lyrics and music. We also found ourselves reflecting on how the songs we heard in our youth shaped our perspective on re...
EP 104 - Album Retrospective: My Lives Disc 2 + New Billy Joel Single Announcement
January 30, 2024 12:00 - 1 hourAlthough 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, you can compare work-in-progress tracks to the final versions, along with hit songs from the same era. Together, they provide insight into Joel’s writing style. We see the benefits...
EP 103 - Concert Classics: Live At The Spectrum, Philadelphia - 1986
January 16, 2024 11:38 - 1 hourSince 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. Billy and the band were in fine form on October 13, 1986. But Billy seems to be in a much different mood than usual. He’s relaxed, but not subdue...
EP 102 - Year In Review: 1993
January 02, 2024 13:09 - 57 minutes1993 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 tour. But, the album was his last release of new pop songs. As such, it would be the last time Billy would run this playbook. Fortunately, we remember it well. This was the one album where we both were old en...
EP 101 - 2023 Odds & Ends (with Edward Odowd)
December 19, 2023 11:56 - 1 hourWith 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 just as tasty as our main courses. And you don’t even have to microwave them. You’ll hear excerpts from our interview with Edward ODowd, art director for the Vinyl Collection box sets and m...
EP 100 - Liberty DeVitto’s Greatest Hits
December 05, 2023 12:55 - 1 hourIf 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 some of the biggest acts in the world. But he’s not a flashy player, nor is he the most prolific. You can’t point to big showcase songs or a massive discography to illustrate ...
EP 099 - Playlist #8 - Telling Stories About Telling Stories
November 21, 2023 11:16 - 1 hourEvery 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 becomes part of our stories, which becomes part of each other’s, and ultimately a narrative of its own, all told in a language everyone speaks without realizing it. Maybe you’ve heard ...
EP 099 - Playlist #9 - Telling Stories About Telling Stories
November 21, 2023 11:16 - 1 hour - 132 MBEvery 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 becomes part of our stories, which becomes part of each other’s, and ultimately a narrative of its own, all told in a language everyone speaks without realizing it. Maybe you’ve hear...
EP 098 - Billy Joel - The Vinyl Collection, Vol. 2 (with John Jackson & Edward Odowd)
November 07, 2023 12:02 - 1 hourTo 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, 2023, the collection includes every studio album from Glass Houses in 1980 through 2001’s Fantasies and Delusions, marking the first time Billy’s classical album has ever b...
EP 097 - Album Retrospective: My Lives Disc 1
October 24, 2023 10:06 - 1 hourThe 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 songs-in-progress. The first disc, in particular, offers a chronological journey from Billy’s earliest solo compositions through his hitmaking reign in the late 70s. We’re exploring...
EP 096 - Concert Classics: Live At Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia - 1972
October 10, 2023 10:29 - 1 hourUnreleased 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 song for years. It drew the attention of Columbia Records, who went on to sign Billy and release Piano Man in late 1973. And, as famed as that t...
EP 095 - Concert Classics: Live At The Bottom Line 1976 + Vinyl Box Set Announcement
September 26, 2023 11:07 - 1 hourWith 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 now calling the band, had been on the road for just over two months. The performance was simulcast on seven radio stations, leaving listeners today with a crystal-clear document of the night. Billy and the band, no...
EP 094 - Year In Review: 2015
September 12, 2023 10:05 - 1 hourIn 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 that just a few years earlier, it looked like Billy was gearing up for retirement. But with his Madison Square Garden residency, launched in 2014, he was f...
EP 093 - Tour Retrospective: From A Piano Man To An Innocent Man Tour 1984
August 29, 2023 12:57 - 1 hourBilly 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 augmented with backup singers and a horn section. And, with a handful of new hit songs, older concert staples were no longer in the sets. While some accounts show a rocky start, the band eventu...
EP 092 - Album Retrospective: An Innocent Man
August 15, 2023 12:59 - 1 hourWith 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. The album, famously, is an homage to the pre-British Invasion music from Billy’s youth. But as stylized as the tracks are, the song cycle is more than just nostalgia. A close listen reveals a uniq...
EP 091 - Video Retrospective: A Matter Of Trust (1991 Documentary)
August 01, 2023 13:08 - 1 hourIn 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, and, to put it mildly, deeply mistrusted by the West. Even many of Billy’s fans opposed the tour, even booing him at concerts when he announced the trip. But, Billy and ...
EP 090 - Billy Joel Album Closers Ranked
July 18, 2023 13:07 - 54 minutesThe 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 12 studio albums, plus the live Songs in the Attic, from our least to most-favorite. And, this time around, we’re not doing it alone: We’re also including rankings from listeners of the podcast...
EP 089 - Playlist #7 - Songs That Inspired ’An Innocent Man’
July 04, 2023 13:01 - 44 minutesSummer is upon us and this summer, 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 that songs that inspired An Innocent Man. Some are obvious and some are more subtle but these next songs are classics in American popular music and It was a blast stringing them all together in the same sequence of the album. The playlist: 1. Wilson...
EP 088 - Concert Classics: Frankfurt, Germany - June 18, 1994
June 20, 2023 13:06 - 56 minutesLive 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 warts-and-all look at what can go wrong at a concert: We watch as the band struggles through what appears to be stifling heat inside the arena, and navigates the pitfalls of faulty stage mechanics. Still...
EP 087 - Album Retrospective: Billy Joel Greatest Hits Volume III
June 06, 2023 13:02 - 51 minutesGreatest 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 years after what became Billy’s final pop album. He had been mostly out of the spotlight after the River of Dreams tour, so the new compilation had fewer albums to cover and inc...
EP 086 - In Conversation With Billy Joel Archivist John Jackson
May 23, 2023 13:04 - 57 minutesFor 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 part of booklets or box sets, or get released as new official concert recordings. But many others help Jackson – who ...
EP 085 - Turnstiles Tour 1976-77
May 09, 2023 13:01 - 1 hourFans 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. It still stacks up against his busiest chart-topping years. With the Lords of 52nd Street lineup now mostly in place, Billy’s shows quickly blossomed into energetic, barnburning performan...
EP 084 - Video Retrospective: The Video Album Volume II
April 25, 2023 13:12 - 53 minutesBilly 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 treated to a revue of how music videos progressed as an art form as MTV changed the way people consumed music and viewed the people who m...
EP 083 - Live At The Great American Music Hall - 1975 & Record Store Day (with John Jackson)
April 11, 2023 13:12 - 1 hourIn 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 for Turnstiles. Now, fans can snag a standalone copy on limited-edition, opaque gray-colored vinyl — if they can find it. The album will be available as part of Record Stor...
EP 082 - Album Retrospective: Turnstiles
March 28, 2023 13:01 - 1 hourTurnstiles 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 was a commercial flop that was eclipsed by the release of The Stranger in 1977. It wasn’t until nearly half the songs were recast on the live Songs in the Attic album in 1981 that many of ...
EP 081 - Opening Night Of The Billy Joel & Stevie Nicks Tour
March 14, 2023 13:11 - 1 hourThis 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 about the show order, setlists, and whether each artist would make a guest appearance during the other’s performance. In this episode, we’ll answer all those questions, give our t...
EP 080 - Evolution Of A Song (”Everybody Loves You Now” + ”Say Goodbye To Hollywood”)
February 28, 2023 12:04 - 1 hourJust 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 songs have seen significant revisions over the years. In this episode, we're tracking the stylistic shifts for two of Billy's older, fan favorite songs: “Everybody Loves You No...
EP 079 - Content Creator Roundtable #1
February 14, 2023 13:54 - 1 hourHere 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 our second roundtable episode, we’re speaking with three podcasters who are also Billy Joel fans. They’re Stephanie Myers from Stephanie & Stephanie Talk Tunes, Bob Nebel of Tales From the Cor...
EP 078 - Year In Review: 1989
January 31, 2023 14:04 - 1 hour1989 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 that preceded its fall release foreshadowed the chorus of the title track from Billy’s 11th studio album. Specifically, the line, “There’s a Storm Front coming.” The year started qu...
EP 077 - Concert Classics: Rome, Italy - July 31, 2006
January 17, 2023 14:03 - 1 hourBilly’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 fans’ first glimpse at the lineup he’d keep for the next 17 years and running, more or less. And, what a place to see him: performing just steps away from the centuries-old landmark. ...
EP 076 - Behind The Nylon Curtain (with Brad Leigh & Larry Franke)
January 03, 2023 14:08 - 1 hourThe 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 helped make the album into the classic we all know today. Our guests for this episode are Larry Franke and Bradsahw Leigh. Both were engineers at A&R Recording where Billy wor...
EP 075 - 2022 Odds & Ends (with Steve Cohen, Jon Small, & Brad Leigh)
December 20, 2022 14:03 - 1 hourSometimes 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 Houses. This is our second Odds and Ends episode, where we take pieces of conversations from the year that got left on the cutting room floor. We hear so many great stories from the people we intervie...
EP 074 - Remembering Jim Boyer (with Brad Leigh & Larry Franke)
December 06, 2022 14:09 - 1 hourThere 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 sound was Jim. Billy Joel, along with the Lords of 52nd Street and others put some great performances down on tape working with producer Phil Ramone and his crew. And, a cr...
EP 073 - Glass Houses Playlist #6 - Thundercats (Larry & Anthony’s Song)
November 22, 2022 14:34 - 54 minutesDid 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 working with Billy and Phil Ramone, he worked on the cartoon Thundercats, which ran in syndication from 1985 to 1989. During the show’s run, that cartoo...
EP 072 - Billy Joel Live At Yankee Stadium (Unboxing + Track By Track Overview)
November 08, 2022 14:27 - 1 hourFilmed 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 deluxe release in the fall of 2022. Fans got to see a newly-edited version of the film in theaters, complete with footage of an unreleased song. That new cut is now available on Blu-ray with a 2CD ...
EP 071 - Michael & Jack Meet + Conversation with Russell Javors & Dan Orlando
October 25, 2022 13:02 - 1 hourThis episode is all about meeting new people in the Billy Joel world. First, we're telling the story of when we, your hosts, finally met after recording virtually for nearly three years. We've hinted at it online and some listeners asked about it. So, we thought we'd tell the story here along with our memories of seeing the new Live At Yankee Stadium sneak preview in Sag Harbor this summer Then, we're speaking with Dan Orlando and Russell Javors. Dan is currently the piano player an...
EP 070 - Concert Classics: Roxy Theatre - Northampton, PA - November 28, 1973
October 11, 2022 13:26 - 1 hourThere 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, and Billy was grinding out dates opening for the Beach Boys and the Doobie Brothers. Being an opening act wasn’t suiting Billy, so he took up a local DJ o...
EP 069 - Billy Joel In Pop Culture (Part 1)
September 27, 2022 13:09 - 1 hourFor 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 in the public eye for the last few decades. They also reveal a lot about how the public’s perception of him has evolved over that time. And, a lot of them...
EP 068 - Album Retrospective: The Nylon Curtain
September 13, 2022 13:01 - 1 hourThe 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 after the string of smash hit albums from The Stranger in 1977 through Glass Houses in 1980, and the live Songs In the Attic that rewrote his early wor...
EP 067 - Year In Review: 1978
August 30, 2022 13:17 - 1 hourEven 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 up 1978 with a string of hit songs, gold and platinum albums and singles, dozens of reviews, interviews and media appearances and tour dates around the world...
EP 066 - Billy Joel Live At Yankee Stadium (with Steve Cohen & Jon Small)
August 16, 2022 13:08 - 1 hourThis 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 2-CD or 3-LP release featuring 11 never before released performances. While the Yankee Stadium home video was a hit after its release, it’s been largely overlooked in the decad...
EP 065 - Concert Classics: Live in London, 1984
August 02, 2022 13:22 - 1 hourBy 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 that the many impressions he’s done over the years in interviews and concerts. Many of them were on display, and front and center, when BIlly and the band took the stage a...
EP 064 - Billy Joel 1980-1984 TV Appearances (Part 2)
July 19, 2022 13:26 - 50 minutesThis 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 then-girlfriend, soon-to-be wife Christie Brinkley. Join us as we continue digging deep into Billy Joel's television appearances from 1980 to 1984. Watch t...
EP 063 - Billy Joel Back Covers Ranked
July 05, 2022 13:12 - 1 hourIf 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 there’s plenty of variety on his front covers, the back covers are surprisingly uniform. Still, there’s plenty of insight into the state of BIlly’s career, and plenty to discuss abo...
EP 062 - Billy Joel 1980-1984 TV Appearances (Part 1)
June 21, 2022 13:06 - 52 minutesBy 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 a time. As Billy's popularity reached its peak, he also honed his interview style. Over multiple appearances, he develops his stories, talking points and jokes, and refines them over time. The s...