Billy Joel, was born May 9, 1949, as William Joseph Martin in New York. Joel was already interested in playing the piano at the age of only 4 years. "I idolized The Beatles growing up, especially Paul, nobody could come up with the melodies he made". Only interested in making cover versions of songs, Joel put together his first band called, The Echoes. They played versions of top hits from, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, and The Beatles.
The Echoes went through many changes though, starting with becoming The Lost Souls in 65, and then The Emerald Lords in 66, and finally The Hassles in 67. The Hassles were the real break through though, as they singed to United Artists Records in 1968. The band included: Billy Joel (keyboards), Howie Blauvelt (bass), Richard McKenner (guitar), John Small (drums), and John Dizek (vocals).
Later that year,
The Hassles released their self-titled debut album containing songs by
Joel himself and some covers. They had two singles from the album which were, β
Every Step I Take, Every Move I Make and
Youve Got Me Hummin.
Later that same year, 1968, The Hassles recorded and released their second, and final, album: Hour Of The Wolf. All songs were originals on this album though. Some of the singles from the album were: 4 O'clock In The Morning, Let Me Bring You To The Sunshine, and Night After Day.
The album was followed by a non-LP single, Great Balls Of Fire. Produced by The Hassles, that release sunk without a trace, and The Hassles were disbanded. Billy and Jon Small (drummer) then formed the band, Atilla, and recorded an album that Billy later described as "psychedelic bullshit. After Atilla, another disappointed band, Billy worked as a rock journalist for βChanges Magazine and later recorded a commercial for Bachmann's Pretzels with Chubby Checker.
In 1971, Joel recorded his first "solo" album, Cold Spring Harbor, with Family Records. Billy was embarrassed by the record, and wanted to break through with a βkick. He moved to California where he performed at an Executive Lounge piano bar. That experience led him to his first Columbia sing, Piano Man.
This marked the beginning of a great career, Streetlife Serenade and Turnstiles followed in 74 and 76. In 1977, the album The Stranger was released and contained the song Just The Way You Are, which won the 1978 Grammy for Song Of The Year. The next year 52nd Street was released and proved Billy adept in another style, jazz. 52nd Street won the Grammy for Album Of The Year. The rock album Glass Houses was released in 1980 and won the American Music Award for Album Of The Year. The album Songs In The Attic followed. Songs In The Attic gave new life to some previously released songs that Billy felt had not been given a chance to catch on.
Over the years Joel has contributed unfailingly to such philanthropic causes as "The Make A Wish Foundation" and "Save The Music". He has been awarded four honorary degrees and is a favorite of former president Bill Clinton. Since then Billy Joel has still been making great music and is continuing to this day.
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