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Archive-name: music/billy-joel-faq Posting-Frequency: biweekly Last-modified: 7 Feb 1995 ************************************************************************** This is the Frequently Asked Questions List (FAQ) for the Usenet Newsgroup alt.music.billy-joel. This list was last updated 2/7/95. The current version of this FAQ is posted to alt.music.billy-joel, alt.answers, and news.answers once every two weeks. It can also be anonymously FTP'ed from rtfm.mit.edu in the directory, /pub/usenet/alt.music.billy-joel . If you don't have anonymous FTP capabilities, send mail to mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu with the word "help" and "index" (without the quotes) on separate lines in the body for information about obtaining the FAQ through e-mail. You can also obtain a copy through gopher from jupiter.sun.csd.unb.ca and on WWW from http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/hypertext/faq/usenet/FAQ-List.html (under the "M"usic subheading). Information about copying and redistributing of this FAQ can be found at the end of this posting. --> An HTML version of this document is now available through --> World Wide Web (WWW). The URL is: --> http://www.cs.umd.edu/users/mike/billy-joel.faq.html Please send Corrections, Additions, or Suggestions to: Mike Steele (mike@cs.umd.edu) FAQ Maintainer for alt.music.billy-joel ************************************************************************** If you sent me corrections last time I posted this FAQ, I haven't gotten around to making the changes yet. Don't worry, I haven't lost your mail. INDEX ============================ I. History of Billy Joel 1. Fact Sheet 2. History of Early Years 3. Awards II. Discography (arranged by year) 1. The Hassles 2. Attila 3. Billy Joel (solo career) 4. Singles 5. Videotapes 6. Other Stuff III. History of the Band 1. Timeline of Band Members IV. Billy Joel Resources 1. Books 2. Magazine Articles 3. Sheet Music 4. Net Resources a. FTP Sites b. WWW Site c. Mailing List -- joel-request@chaos.taylored.com d. Fan Club/Mailing List -- Keepers of the Faith V. Origins/Meanings of Songs, plus other Miscellaneous Questions 1. Captain Jack 2. Rosalinda's Eyes 3. Downeaster Alexa 4. The Bridge 5. Vienna 6. Big Shot 7. Root Beer Rag (newsletter) 8. Covers of Billy's Songs by Other Artists 9. "Souvenir" Album 10. Unreleased Songs 11. Kohuept I. HISTORY OF BILLY JOEL ============================ 1. Fact Sheet ---------------------- [Info is from 1994 edition of Who's Who in America] Real Name: William Martin Joel Birthday: May 9, 1949 (in the Bronx, NY) Married To: Elizabeth Small (m. ????, divorced ????) Christie Brinkley (m. March 23, 1985, divorced Aug 25, 1994) Children: Alexa Ray Joel (b. December 29, 1985) Address: Maritime Music, Inc 200 W. 57th St. New York, NY 10019 2. A Biography of Billy Joel's Early Years ------------------------------------------- Billy Joel Before the Piano Man A look into Billy Joel's early recordings by Paul Maclauchlan (paul@moore.com) Copyright 1991 by Paul Maclauchlan William Joseph Martin (Billy) Joel, born May 9, 1949, in Levitown Long Island, New York. He began piano lessons at age 4. As a young teenager, Joel discovered the joys of reading books and decided to become a history teacher. Billy divided his time between music, street gangs and boxing. After 22 bouts he gave up the ring for piano. "...when I came to a difficult passage I'd start knuckling the keyboards." "I idolized The Beatles, especially Paul - nobody could come up with the melodies he could". His first band was a four piece beat band called "The Echoes". The Echoes played cover versions of popular hits, including songs by The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Zombies and, of course, The Beatles. In late 1964, Billy was pressed into service by producer Shadow Morton, who was recording The Shangri-Las in a Levitown basement studio. Billy played on "Leader Of The Pack", but was never paid, since he wasn't a union member. The Echoes became "The Lost Souls" in 1965, "The Emerald Lords" in 1966 and "The Hassles" in 1967. The Hassles were signed to United Artists (UA) Records in 1968. The Hassles featured: John Dizek (vocals), Billy Joel (Keyboards), Jon Small (drums), Howie Blauvelt (bass) and Richard McKenner (guitar). He occasionally billed himself as: Billy Joe Joel! The Hassles self-titled debut album contained original songs (by W. Joel) and covers. Produced by Tony Michael and Vinnie Gorman. United Artists 6631. [see discography below for track listings] Two singles from the album flopped: Every Step I Take, Every Move I Make b/w I Hear Voices and You've Got Me Hummin' b/w I'm Thinking. Later the same year, 1968, The Hassles recorded and released their second, and final, album: Hour Of The Wolf. Produced by Thomas Kay. United Artists 6699. This album's songs were all originals by the band. [see discography below for track listings] Singles from the album were: 4 O'Clock In The Morning b/w Let Me Bring You To The Sunshine and Night After Day b/w Country Boy. The album was followed by a non-LP single, Great Balls Of Fire (Jack Hammer-Otis Blackwell) [the Jerry Lee Lewis song] b/w Travellin' Band (W.Joel) [not the CCR song]. Produced by The Hassles, that release sunk without a trace, and The Hassles were disbanded. Billy and Jon Small (The Hassles drummer) then formed Atilla, and recorded an album Billy later described as "psychedelic bullshit". The album was released on Epic (E 30030) and produced by Irwin Mazur, William Joel and Jonathan Small. All music and lyrics by William Joel and Jonathan Small. [see discography below for track listings] Billy eventually married Jon Small's wife, Elizabeth. Billy reportedly still loves Jimi Hendrix, but hates the album that was influenced by him. After Atilla, Billy worked as a rock journalist for Changes magazine and recorded a commercial for Bachmann's Pretzels with Chubby Checker. In 1971, he recorded his first "solo" album, "Cold Spring Harbor", for Family Records. Billy was embarrassed by the record, which had been mastered at the wrong speed. It was produced by Artie Ripp. All songs were composed by Billy Joel. [see discography below for track listings] Singles: Everybody Loves You Now b/w She's Got A Way and Tomorrow Is Today b/w Everybody Loves You Now. Discouraged by touring for six months to support the album, opening for acts like J. Geils Band and Badfinger, Billy moved to California. There he performed as Bill Martin at Corky's on Van Nuys Blvd and at the Executive Lounge piano bar on Wilshire Blvd. The experience is related in his first Columbia single: Piano Man. Information from this article is from liner notes by Glenn A. Baker and articles and books by Jeff Tamarkin and Peter Gabaccini. Also from the records themselves. 3. Awards ---------------------- [Info is from 1994 edition of Who's Who in America] 1978 Grammy Award for Record of the Year: The Stranger 1978 Grammy Award for Song of the Year: Just the Way You Are 1979 Grammy Nomination for Song of the Year: Honesty 1979 Grammy Award for Best Album: 52nd Street 1979 Grammy Award for Best Rock Male Vocal Performance 1980 Grammy Award for Best Rock Male Vocal Performance 1980 American Music Award for Album of the Year: Glass Houses 1982 Grammy Nomination for Album of the Year: The Nylon Curtain 1989 Grammy Nomination for Record of the Year: Storm Front 1989 Grammy Nomination for Song of the Year: We Didn't Start the Fire 1989 Grammy Nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance 1990 Grammy Nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance 1990 Grammy Nomination for Producer of the Year 1990 Grammy Legend Award 1992 Inducted into Songwriters' Hall of Fame 1994 Grammy Nomination for Album of the Year: River of Dreams 1994 Grammy Nomination for Record of the Year: River of Dreams 1994 Grammy Nomination for Song of the Year: River of Dreams 1994 Grammy Nomination for Best Male Rock Vocalist 1994 Billboard Century Music Award II. DISCOGRAPHY ============================ 1. The Hassles ---------------------- [Thanks to Phil Hetherington (ee92pmh@brunel.ac.uk) and Paul Maclauchlan (paul@moore.com) for this info] The Hassles (1967, re-release 1981) Hour of the Wolf (1968, re-release 1981) ----------- ---------------- Warming Up Country Boy Just Holding On Night After Day A Taste Of Honey Hour of the Wolf Every Step I Take (Every Move 4 O'Clock in the Morning I Make) Cat Coloured Rain Hotel St. George I Hear Voices Land of Despair I Can Tell Further Than Heaven Giving Up (Version #2) Fever You've Got Me Hummin' The Hassles (re-release 1992) ----------- [All of the above tracks plus:] I'm Thinkin' I'll Be Around When I Get Home It's Not Enough Love Luck Look And You Will Find Blow My Mind Giving Up (Version #1) 2. Attila ---------------------- [Thanks to Paul Maclauchlan (paul@moore.com) for this info] Attila (1970) Rollin' Home (BJ w/Atilla/Hassles) ------ ------------ (This album was released in California Flash Italy as a Billy Joel album Wonder Woman entitled "California Flash" on Revenge is Sweet Lotus Records.) Amplifier Fire: Wonder Woman Part I-Godzilla California Flash Part II-March of the Huns Revenge is Sweet Rollin' Home Amplifier Fire Tear This Castle Down Part I-Godzilla Holy Moses Part II-March of the Huns Brain Invasion Rollin' Home E.A.R. Tear This Castle Down Rabbitt Holy Moses The Tough Boy Brain Invasion Enough is Enough Extra Extra Crossing the Door 3. Billy's Solo Career ---------------------- [Thanks to Kevin Harter (HARTERK5863@cobra.uni.edu) for this info] Cold Spring Harbor (1971) Piano Man (1973) ------------------ --------- She's Got a Way Travelin' Prayer You can Make me Free Piano Man Everybody Loves You Now Ain't No Crime Why Judy Why You're My Home Falling of the Rain The Ballad of Billy the Kid Turn Around Worse Comes to Worst You Look so Good to Me Stop In Nevada Tomorrow is Today If I Only Had the Words (To Tell You) Nocturne Somewhere Along the Line Got to Begin Again Captain Jack Streetlife Serenade (1974) Turnstiles (1976) ------------------- ---------- Streetlife Serenade Say Goodbye to Hollywood Los Angelenos Summer, Highland Falls The Great Suburban Showdown All You Wanna Do is Dance Root Beer Rag New York State of Mind Roberta James The Entertainer Prelude/Angry Young Man Last of the Big Time Spenders I've Loved These Days Weekend Song Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Souvenir go out on Broadway) The Mexican Connection The Stranger (1977) 52nd Street (1978) ------------ ----------- Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) Big Shot The Stranger Honesty Just the Way You Are My Life Scenes from an Italian Restaurant Zanzibar Vienna Stiletto Only the Good Die Young Rosalinda's Eyes She's Always A Woman Half a Mile Away Get it Right the First Time Until the Night Everybody Has a Dream 52nd Street Glass Houses (1980) Songs In The Attic (1981) ------------ ------------------ You May be Right Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Sometimes A Fantasy go out on Broadway) Don't Ask Me Why Summer, Highland Falls It's Still Rock and Roll to Me Streetlife Serenader All for Leyna Los Angelenos I Don't Want to be Alone She's Got A Way Sleeping with the Television On Everybody Loves You Now C'Etait Toi (You Were the One) Say Goodbye to Hollywood Close to the Borderline Captain Jack Through the Long Night You're my Home The Ballad of Billy the Kid I've Loved These Days The Nylon Curtain (1982) An Innocent Man (1983) ----------------- --------------- Allentown Easy Money Laura An Innocent Man Pressure Uptown Girl Goodnight Siagon This Night She's Right on Time Tell Her About It A Room of Our Own The Longest Time Surprises Careless Talk Scandinavian Skies Christie Lee Where's the Orchestra? Leave a Tender Moment Alone Keeping the Faith Greatest Hits Volume I & Volume II (Double CD Set - 1985) ---------------------------------- Greatest Hits Volume I 1973-1977 Greatest Hits Volume II 1978-1985 -------------------------------- --------------------------------- Piano Man My Life Captain Jack Big Shot The Entertainer You May be Right Say Goodbye to Hollywood It's Still Rock and Roll to Me New York State of Mind Don't Ask Me Why The Stranger She's Got A Way Scenes from an Italian Restaurant Pressure Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) Allentown Only the Good Die Young Goodnight Siagon She's Always a Woman Tell Her About It Uptown Girl The Longest Time You're Only Human (Second Wind) The Night is Still Young The Bridge (1986) Kohuept (1987) ---------- ------- Running On Ice Odoya This is the Time Angry Young Man A Matter of Trust Honesty Modern Woman Goodnight Saigon Baby Grand Stiletto Big Man on Mulberry Street Big Man on Mulberry Street Temptation Baby Grand Code of Silence An Innocent Man Getting Closer Allentown A Matter of Trust Only the Good Die Young Sometimes a Fantasy Uptown Girl Big Shot Back in the U.S.S.R. The Times They Are a Changin' Storm Front (1989) River of Dreams (1993) ----------- --------------- That's Not Her Style No Man's Land We Didn't Start the Fire The Great Wall of China The Downeaster "Alexa" Blonde Over Blue I Go to Extremes A Minor Variation Shameless Shades of Grey Storm Front All About Soul Leningrad Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel) State of Grace The River of Dreams When in Rome Two Thousand Years And So it Goes Famous Last Words 4. Singles ---------- Everybody Loves You Now / She's Got A Way Tomorrow is Today / Everybody Loves You Now Allentown / Elvis Presley Blvd. (record, 1982) An Innocent Man / I'll Cry Instead (live; cover of the Beatles) (record, 1982) Leave a Tender Moment Alone / This Night Tell Her About It / You Got Me Hummin' (live; The Hassles) (record, 1983) The Longest Time / Christy Lee Keeping The Faith / She's Right On Time Suprises / You're Only Human (second wind) Pressure / Laura Modern Woman / ???? We Didn't Start the Fire / House of Blue Light (cassette, 1989) All Shook Up / Wear My Ring Around Your Neck (by Ricky Van Shelton) (cassette) River of Dreams / No Man's Land (CD) All About Soul / You Picked A Real Bad Time (1994) Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel) / Two Thousand Years (1994) 5. Videotapes ------------- Eye of the Storm Live from Long Island Live from Lenningrad, USSR Live from Yankee Stadium The Russia Collection Shades of Grey The Video Album 6. Other Stuff & Rare Stuff --------------------------- "All Shook Up", "Heartbreak Hotel" -- Soundtrack from "Honeymoon in Vegas". (1992) Australian Souvenir CD Set -- Includes Greatest Hits Vol 1 & 2, Storm Front, an Interview CD, and a live CD from a concert at Yankee Stadium "Billy Joel Interview Album" -- Interview with Billy Joe by Denis McNamara featuring 6 songs from _Songs in the Attic_. CBS Records (1981) "In a Sentimental Mood" -- Soundtrack from "A League of Their Own". (1992) "Modern Woman" -- Soundtrack from "Ruthless People" "My Life" -- Theme Song from _Bosom Buddies_, an early 80's American sitcom starring Tom Hanks "Nobody Knows But Me" -- Sesame Street's _In Harmony 2_ album (1981) Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen & Friends Homeless Children's Medical Benefit Concert -- 2 CD set of benefit concert. Includes Billy Joel singing on several songs. Souvenir -- Promotional album released by Columbia in 1977. (see section 5.10 for more info) "When You Wish Upon A Star" -- Disney's _Simply Mad About the Mouse... A Musical Celebration of Imagination_ (1991) (he also did a video for this song) "Why Should I Worry" -- Soundtrack from Disney's "Oliver & Company". Billy also did the voice of the dog (Dodger) in the movie III. HISTORY OF THE BAND ============================ [Thanks to Claire Caterer (caterer@panix.com) for this info] The Hassles: ------------ Billy Joel (vocals, Hammond organ) John Dizek (vocals, percussion) Howie Blauvelt (bass guitar) Richie McKenner (lead guitar) Jon Small (drums) Attila: ------- Billy Joel (vocals, keyboards) Jon Small (drums) Billy Joel's Band Through His Solo Career: ------------------------------------------ [Abbreviations: CSH = Cold Spring Harbor; PM = Piano Man; SS = Streetlife Serenade; TS = Turnstiles; S = Stranger; 52 = 52nd Street; GH = Glass Houses; SITA = Songs in the Attic; NC = Nylon Curtain; IM = Innocent Man; GHITS = Greatest Hits Vol. I & II (original songs); B = The Bridge; K = Kohuept; SF = Storm Front; RD = River of Dreams] The Mainstays: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ David Brown (guitar on GH, SITA, NC, IM, GHITS, B, S, SF) Richard Cannata (tenor and soprano saxophone, clarinet, flute, organ on TS, S, 52, GH, SITA, RD) Liberty DeVitto (drums on TS, S, 52, GH, SITA, IM, GHITS, B, K, SF, RD) Russell Javors (guitar, acoustic guitar, rhythm guitar on TS, GH, SITA, NC, IM, B, K) Billy Joel (vocals, keyboards, moogs, organ, piano, harmonica, synthesizers, hammond organ, hammond B-3, melodica, acoustic guitar, clavinet, harpsicord) Mark Rivera (alto sax, tenor sax, percussion, background vocals, syntharmonica on IM, GHITS, B, K) Doug Stegmeyer (bass, background vocals on TS, S, 52, GH, SITA, NC, IM, GHITS, B, K) The Famous Folks: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peter Cetera (background vocals on B: "My Life") Ray Charles (piano, vocals on B: "Baby Grand") Color Me Badd (background vocals on RD: "All About Soul") Cyndi Lauper (background vocals on B: "Code of Silence") Richard Marx (background vocals on SF: "That's Not Her Style", "Storm Front") Itzhak Perlman (fiddle on SF: "Downeaster Alexa") David Sanborn (alto sax on IM) Steve Winwood (hammond B-3 on B: "Getting Closer") The Rest (by instrument): ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Piano/Keyboards/Synthesizers: ----------------------------- Jeff Bova (B), Al Campbell (CSH), L.D. Dixon (CSH), Jeff Jacobs (SF, RD), Dave Lebolt (GHITS, K), John Mahonet (SF), Rob Mounsey (B), Leon Pendarvis (NC), Fender Rhodes (CSH), Richard Tee (S, IM) Drums/Percussion: ----------------- Zachary Alford (RD), Jimmy Bralower (GHITS, B), Vinnie Calaiuta (B), Rhys Clark (CSH, PM), David Friedman (52), Steve Jordan (RD), Andy "Funky Drummer" Kravitz (RD), Mingo Lewis (TS), Ralph MacDonald (S, 52, IM), Mike McGee (CSH), Sammy Merendino (SF), Jim Saporito (RD), Danny Siewell (CSH), Crystal Taliefero (SF), Ron Tutt (PM, SS) Guitar/Acoustic Guitar: ----------------------- Richard Bennett (PM, SS), Hiram Bullock (S), Tommy Byrnes (RD), Larry Carlton (CSH), Gary Dalton (SS), Mike Deasy (SS), Kevin Dukes (K), Howie Emerson (TS), Don Evans (CSH, SS), Eric Gale (52, IM), Al Hertzberg (SS), Joey Hunting (SF), Mick Jones (SF), Steve Kahn (S, 52), "Sneaky" Pete Kleinow (CSH), Dan Kortchmar (RD), John McCurry (GHITS, B), Ary Munson (SS), Dean Parks (PM, B), Roj Rathor (SS), Michael Stewart (SS), Sal De Troia (CSH), Mike Tyler (RD), Leslie West (RD) Acoustic Guitar: ---------------- Steve Burgh (S), Howie Emerson (TS), Steve Kahn (S, 52), Hugh McCracken (S, 52), James Smith (TS), David Spinozza (52) Bass: ----- Ron Carter (B), Schuyler Deale (SF, RD), Wilton Felder (PM, SS), Emory Gordy (PM, SS), Lonnie Hillyer (RD), Jeff Lee Johnson (RD), Larry Knechtel (CSH, SS), Joe Osborn (CSH), T.M. Stevens (RD), Neil Stubenhaus (B), Chuck Treece (RD) Accordion: ---------- Dominic Cortese (S, NC, SF), Michael Omartian (PM) Banjo: ------ Fred Heilbrun (PM), Eric Weissberg (PM), Tom Whitehorse (SS) Horns: ------ Dave Bargeron (trombone on B), Mike Brecker (horns on 52, B), Randy Brecker (horns, tenor sax on 52, IM), Ronnie Cuber (baritone sax on IM, GHITS, B), Eddie Daniels (sax, clarinet on NC, B), Laurence Etkin (trumpet on RD), John Gatchell (trumpet on IM), Arno Hecht (baritone saxophone on RD), Freddie Hubbard (trumpet on 52), Osvaldo Melindez (trombone on RD), "The Memphis Horns" (Andrew Love, Wayne Jackson) (horns on SF), Lenny Pickett (saxophone on SF), Alan Rubin (trumpet on B), Joe Shepley (trumpet on IM), Marvin Stamm (trumpet on B), Phil Woods (alto sax on S) Harmonica/Syntharmonica: ------------------------ Don Brooks (B, SF), Ronnie Cuber (IM, GHITS, B), Jon Faddis (GHITS), "Toots" Thielemans (IM) Other: ------ Billy Armstrong (fiddle on PM), Joe Clayton (conga on SS), David Friedman (orchestral chimes on 52), The Georgian Singers "Zhournalist" (vocals on K), George Marge (sopranino recorder on 52), Mike Mainieri (vibes, marimba on 52), Charles McCraken (cello on NC), William Smith (organ on SS) Background Vocals: ------------------ Mike Alexander (IM), Chuck Arnold (SF), Pattie Austin (S), Tom Bahler (IM), Phillip Ballou (RD), Katreese Barnes (RD), Dennis Collins (RD), The Creamers/Susan Steward & Co. (PM), Donnie Dacus (52), Patti Darcy (SF), Rory Dodd (IM), Will Downing (RD), Frank Floyd (52, IM, SF, RD), Babi Floyd (52), Wrecia Ford (RD), Diane Garisto (RD), Milt Grayson (52), Lani Groves (S, IM), Gwen Guthrie (S), Peter Hewlett (GHITS, B, K), Hicksville High School Chorus (SF), Jeff Jacobs (SF, RD), Stephanie James (RD), Devora Johnson (RD), Mick Jones (SF), Curtis King (SF), Ian Lloyd (SF), Ullanda McCullough (IM), Brian Ruggles (SF), Zack Sanders (52), Marlon Saunders (RD), Frank Simms (GHITS, RD), George Simms (K, RD), Ray Simpson (52), Phoebe Snow (S), Corliss Stafford (RD), Crystal Taliefero (SF), Ron Taylor (IM), Terry Textor (IM), Eric Troyer (IM), Joe Lynn Turner (SF), Brenda White-King (SF, RD), B. David Whitworth (RD) IV. BILLY JOEL RESOURCES ============================ 1. Books ---------------------- [Thanks to Claire Caterer (caterer@panix.com) for this info] BILLY JOEL by Peter Gambaccini; Jove Publications: 1979 BILLY JOEL by Michael McKenzie; Ballantine: 1984 BILLY JOEL by Debbie Geller & Tom Hibbert; McGraw-Hill: 1985 BILLY JOEL by Jeff Tamarkin; Cherry Lane BOoks: 1984 ROCK STARS by Timothy White; Stewart, Tabori, & Chiang: 1984 2. Magazine Articles ---------------------- [Thanks to Michael Kidd (mkidd@julian.uwo.ca) for the majority of this info] "Billy Joel Tricks the Phillies." Rolling Stone. Jun. 20, 1974 "Billy Joel: The Miracle of 52nd Street." Rolling Stone. Dec. 14, 1978, pp. 70ff. "Rock Punk." Penthouse. May 1979 "Billy Joel is Angry." Rolling Stone. Sep. 4, 1980, pp. 37ff. "Billy Joel." Playboy. May, 1982 "Billy Joel: Not as Bad as You Think." Rolling Stone. Oct. 28, 1982 "He Sang of Their Troubles, but Grateful Citizens Say Thank You Anyway To Billy Joel." People. Jan. 10, 1983 "Billy Joel." Penthouse. Dec. 1985 "New Billy Joel LP A Star-Studded Affair." Rolling Stone. Jun. 9, 1986 "Billy Joel." Rolling Stone. Nov. 6, 1986, pp. 46ff. "Billy Joel." Life. Sep. 1987 "Billy Joel's Russian Roadshow." Rolling Stone. Sep. 24, 1987 "Billy Joel: Doing the Kremlin Rag." Life. Oct. 1987 "A Matter of Trust: Billy Joel in the USSR." Variety. Jun. 29, 1988 "Billy Joel Rides the Tide of Success into his 40's." Billboard. Nov. 4, 1989 "Billy Joel Starts a Fire..." Rolling Stone. Nov. 16, 1989 "Billy Joel." Keyboard. Jan., 1990, pp. 50 "Talent in Action: Billy Joel." Billboard. Jan. 6, 1990 "The Rolling Stone Interview: Billy Joel." Rolling Stone. Jan. 25, 1990, pp. 34ff. "The Lessons of Rock and Roll: Billy Joel Presents History, the Album (We Didn't Start the Fire)." Newsweek. Jan. 29, 1990 "Hometown Hero: Billy Joel." Rolling Stone. Aug. 9, 1990 "Classic Songs: Billy Joel's Top Ten Beatles Songs." Rolling Stone. Aug. 23, 1990 "A Matter of Trust: Billy Joel Suing Former Lawyers." Billboard. Oct. 3, 1992 "Billy Joel." Rolling Stone. Oct. 15, 1992 "Billy Joel: Of time and the 'River'." Billboard. Jun. 5, 1993 "The Last Songwriter--River of Dreams by Billy Joel." Time. Aug. 30, 1993 "Picks & Pans--River of Dreams by Billy Joel." People. Sep. 20, 1993 "Billy Joel's New Legal Firestorm." Rolling Stone. Sep. 30, 1993 "Just the Way He Is." People. Oct. 25, 1993 "Billy Joel Agrees to Drop Suit against Grubman." Billboard. Nov. 6, 1993 "Billy Joel." Rolling Stone. Dec. 23, 1993 "The Year in Recordings." Rolling Stone. Dec. 23, 1993 3. Sheet Music ---------------------- Sheet music for all of Billy Joel's songs is available. You should be able to find it at your favorite local music store. Billy Joel Complete Volume 1 (ISBN:0-7935-2070-3) [contains first 6 albums: Cold Spring Harbor, Piano Man, Streetlife Serenade, Turnstiles, The Stranger, and 52nd Street] 304 pages. US$27.95 Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation 7777 West Bluemound Road PO Box 13819 Milwaukee, WI 53213 4. Streetlife Serenade Newsletter --------------------------------- Streetlife Serenade is a new newsletter put out independently from Billy's record company. To obtain a free sample issue (this is subject to change) and specifics on subscribing (including current subscription cost), write to: Suzan Wells c/o Wells Ink P.O. Box 2075 Garden City, NY 11531 5. Net Resources ---------------------- FTP SITES: ---------- ftp.uwp.edu:/pub/music/artists/j/joel.billy (good place to start) /pub/music/lyrics/j/joel.billy (lyrics to almost all songs) /pub/music/guitar/j/Billy.Joel (guitar music for a few songs) /pub/music/pictures/j/joel.billy (one jpeg file of poor quality--picture from back of "The Bridge") ftp.eng.auburn.edu:/pub/billy-joel/fan-email-archive.z (archives of Billy Joel mailing list) /pub/billy-joel/README (description of mail folder file) WWW SITE: --------- For those of you who like to cruise the World Wide Web, check out the following Billy Joel WWW Site: http://www-usacs.rutgers.edu/~rotton/billy-joel.html http://www.music.sony.com/Music/ArtistInfo/BillyJoel.html http://yallara.cs.rmit.EDU.AU/~s9407312/billy.html http://silver.ucs.indiana.edu/~gmsmith/BillyJoel.html And a WWW Site devoted to Atilla: http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/usr/al49/attila.html MAILING LISTS: -------------- The Billy Joel Mailing List --------------------------- [Thanks to Chael Hall (nowhere@chaos.taylored.com), Mailing List Administrator, and Reid Fishler (redhead@chaos.taylored.com), Mailing List Moderator for this info] Purpose: This mailing list is for fans of Billy Joel and his music. Its intention is to provide a forum for intelligent discussion of Billy Joel, his music, concert dates, tour information, trivia, and other related topics. Membership: Open Invitation. Subscription: To join the instant version (You get all the mail as it is sent): mail to: joel-request@chaos.taylored.com subject: subscribe To join the Digest version (One to two letters a day, containing all the mail for the day): mail to: joel-digest-request@chaos.taylored.com subject: subscribe Questions: Send mail to the list request address, joel-request@chaos.taylored.com with the subject line "MANUAL", and it will be forwarded to the moderator (redhead@chaos.taylored.com) and the mailing list administrator (nowhere@chaos.taylored.com.) V. Origins/Meanings of Songs, plus Other Misc. Questions ======================================================== Bear in mind that many of these songs can have other meanings. These are just Billy's intended meanings. Feel free to interpret any of these songs any way you like. 1. Who/What is Captain Jack? ----------------------------- According to Billy Joel, Captain Jack was the neighborhood drug dealer in his neighborhood when he was growing up. 2. Who is Rosalinda in "Rosalinda's Eyes"? ------------------------------------------- Billy's Mom. 3. Who is the "Famous Violinist Incognito" who plays on "Downeaster Alexa"? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Itzhak Perlman. They couldn't use his real name due to legal complications about Perlman appearing on a different record label. 4. What is the significance of the record title "The Bridge"? -------------------------------------------------------------- [From an interview in the back of the piano sheet music book for The Bridge] "I came up with the title THE BRIDGE about two-thirds of the way through the album ... I I didn't really know why when I first said it. Then when I thought about it, I realized there's been a lot of connections made on this record. There's a duet with Ray Charles, and Ray Charles is somebody I admired for years and years. That was a connection made, so there's a bridge. There's a song that was done with Steve Winwood playing the Hammond organ, and I've always admired Steve--for years and years. So there's another bridge. The album is probably more like an older Billy Joel album, harkening back to 52ND STREET and THE STRANGER, in that it's not a concept album. The songs are not necessarily related to one another, but they were written in the same [time] period. And for that reason, because there's a connection to the older stuff, there's another bridge. I also see it as a direction into a future type of writing." 5. What's the significance behind "Vienna"? -------------------------------------------- Billy's Dad lives in Vienna. He wrote the song after going there to visit him once. 6. What (or who) was the inspiration for "Big Shot"? ----------------------------------------------------- A very bad date with Bianca Jagger. 7. What ever happened to the "Root Beer Rag" newsletter? --------------------------------------------------------- This newsletter was produced by Billy's former management agency. When Billy broke up with his former manager, Frank Weber, the newsletter ceased to be published. 8. Which of Billy's songs have other artists covered? ------------------------------------------------------ "Just the Way You Are" -- Rosemary Clooney (_With Love_) "Miami 2017" -- Richard Marx (_Paid Vacation_) "New York State of Mind" -- Susannah McCorkle "New York State of Mind" -- Oleta Adams (_Evolution_) "New York State of Mind" -- Rolf from the Muppets (_Old Brown Ears is Back_) "New York State of Mind" -- Diane Schuur (_Deedles_) "New York State of Mind" -- Barbara Streisand (_Streisand Superman_) "New York State of Mind" -- Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem (_The Muppet Show_) "New York State of Mind" -- Mel Torme (_Mel Torme and Friends at Marty's_) "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" -- Nigel Olson "Shameless" -- Garth Brooks (_Ropin' the Wind_) "You May Be Right" -- Southside Johnny (Theme Music for CBS's "Dave's World") 9. What was the "Souvenir" album? ---------------------------------- [Thanks to Carl Woodin (cjw4@psuvm.psu.edu) for this info.] Souvenir was released by Columbia in 1977. It was released as a half live, half greatest hits album. It was distributed mainly to DJs, clubs, and fan clubs. A VERY limited picture disc version was also released. Side 1 (live) - Ballad of Billy the Kid Summer, Highland Falls New York State of Mind Souvenir (This live side was recorded on 12/5-6/1976 at the Palmer Auditorium, Univ. of Connecticut, New London. It was recorded during the taping of the Billy Joel tonight video.) Side 2 - Entertainer I've Loved these Days Captain Jack Los Angelenos Say Goodbye to Hollywood 10. What songs has Billy written that were never released? ----------------------------------------------------------- "Handball" (played in concert on the Turnstiles tour) "Indian Love Ball" "It's Not Easy" (written for Cold Spring Harbor) "Josephine" (written between Cold Spring Harbor and Piano Man) "Long, Long Time" (written between Cold Spring Harbor and Piano Man) "Money and Love" (written for Storm Front) "Rosalinda" (written between Cold Spring Harbor and Piano Man) "Until You Come to Me" (written for Cold Spring Harbor) "We All Have Our Cross to Bear" (written for Piano Man) "Where is My Lady" (written for Cold Spring Harbor) "Where's the Revolution" (written for Piano Man) 11. How do you pronounce "Kohuept"? ------------------------------------ "Kohuept" is the Russian word for "Concert," and it is pronounced roughly like the English version of the word (approximately "kon-syairt"). 11. What about... ? -------------------- If you know of something else that should be included here, let me know. A big Thank You to all the contributors to this Frequently Asked Questions List! God knows I wouldn't have wanted to write all this myself... ************************************************************************* Feel free to quote from this document as long as proper credit is given to the editor and (if specified) the contributor of the information. If you intend to reprint or redistrubute the entire FAQ or quote large chunks of it, please contact the editor for permission. All rights reserved by the editor, Michael Steele (mike@cs.umd.edu), 1994, except for "Billy Joel, A look into Billy Joel's early recordings," which is copyright 1991 by Paul Maclauchlan (paul@moore.com) ************************************************************************* -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mike Steele mike@cs.umd.edu http://www.cs.umd.edu/~mike/ University of Maryland (school initials: "Um...") Dept. of Computer Science ** Mail fotd-request@cs.umd.edu to join the Fruit-of-the-Day mailing list! **