Billy Joel: The Biography

Known throughout the world as the 'Piano Man' Billy Joel has led a musical career full of high notes and pitfalls. The son of German Jews who fled the Nazis for the US ranks among rock and roll's most talented musicians and accomplished songwriters. His classic training and reverence for Broadway musicals have served as a counterpoint to his early grounding in the Long Island bar-band scene. Joel's career took off with 'Piano Man' in 1974, the first of eventually 33 songs that became hits. His big breakthrough came with his 1977 album, The Stranger. His many songs take their cues from his personal life and members of his family appear in 'Christie Lee', 'Rosalinda's Eyes', 'Vienna' and 'Lullaby'. According to Joel, his influences include Beethoven, the Beatles, Dave Brubeck, George Gershwin and Phil Spector. However, controversy surrounds Joel who has been described as 'difficult' and 'sour' - his drinking problems and car accidents bringing negative attention. Yet the public still rallies around him and, luckily for us, he continues to play sell-out concerts around the world. Mark Bego, has written 45 best-selling books on rock and roll and show business, including stars such as Madonna, Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston