Born:
Born on May 9, 1949 as William Martin Joel
Birthplace:
Bronx, NY
Early Years:
Billy Joel began studying the piano at age 4. As a teen, Joel got interested in boxing, but in 1964 when he saw the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show, he decided to become a musician. In 1963 he joined a band called The Echoes (later renamed Emeralds and then The Lost Souls). Four years later he joined The Hassles which had a contract with United Artists Records. They released 2 albums: The Hassles and Hour of the Wolf. The group disbanded in 1969. Jon Small, the drummer of The Hassles, and Joel then formed a duo called Attila. They recorded 1 album under Epic Records. The duo parted after their first and only album.
Becoming Famous:
In 1971, Joel signed a contract with Family Productions releasing his first album Cold Spring Harbor in November 1971. Problems with his contract with Family Productions forced Joel to laylow. He then adopted the name Bill Martin and performed at piano bars in the West Coast. In 1973 Joel got his first big break when Columbia Records offered him a contract after hearing his taped live performance of "Captain Jack" on the radio. His first album Piano Man was released that same year and by 1974 the album went gold. His second album, Streetlife Serenade, was also a success earning him several awards.
More Albums:
Other Albums:
Achievements/Awards:
Other Achievements/Awards:
Personal Struggles/Love Life:
Billy Joel faced many obstacles before he became the man, performer and singer/songwriter that he is today. These struggles included depression early in his career which led him to check into Meadowbrook Hospital; a motorcycle accident in 1982 that broke his wrist and alcohol abuse which urged him to check into the Betty Ford Clinic in 2005.
Joel was married to Elizabeth Weber in 1973 but they divorced in 1982. In 1985, Joel married Christie Brinkley, their daughter, Alexa Ray was born on the same year. Joel and Brinkley's marriage ended in 1994. Joel then married Katie Lee in 2004.
Interesting Fact/Related Lesson Plan:
Some of the songs in his album An Innocent Man were inspired by his second wife Christie Brinkley.
"We Didn't Start the Fire" - Take a look at this lesson plan that uses Billy Joel's hit song to teach historical facts and figures. (Level: First Grade and up)
For more on Billy Joel, visit his official website.