I got a couple angry comments to my recent post, "Billy Joel is a Jerk." Yeah, I admit, I have a love/hate relationship with the guy. I love him because I grew up with his music, and as a Long Islander he's practically a local hero. On the other hand I hate him because he's eschewed pop music (for dubious reasons) and he's become a greedy bastard who milks his fans for every penny.
He gave me more ammo recently when it was announced that he'd be performing the last concert ever at Shea Stadium. Tickets went on sale, and sold out in like an hour or something. So what did they do? Added a second show, of course! Meaning, those 50,000 people who bought tickets to what they thought was the Last Concert Ever At Shea Stadium suddenly found themselves with tickets to... The Second-To-Last Concert Ever at Shea Stadium. Nice.
"Forgiveable," people said to me. It's nothing to get worked up about. I just have a bias against the guy and will look for any reason to dis him, they said. OK. It's going to be the same concert anyway, right? Yeah, except until the concerts actually happened.
The Wednesday night show, according to a friend of mine who was there, featured an overweight, out-of-breath, "pumpkin-headed" Joel who was barely able to hit the notes. But the stage looked cool. And there were special guests! A group of A-minus list pop stars like John Mellencamp, the overrated John Mayer, and Don Henley. OK, not bad.
Until Friday night rolls around. Same pumpkin-head, same stage... But the special guests? A little different. How about Roger Daltrey, Garth Brooks, Steven Tyler, and... Paul F*ckin McCartney. Are you kidding me? Are you KIDDING Me. Everyone knows The Beatles performance at Shea Stadium (the first concert ever at Shea) in 1965 is one of the most famous concerts of all time, and who better to put a lid on the whole thing than Sir Paul himself. (Yes, McCartney was in a band before Wings) Holy moly. So, you still don't think the Wednesday-nighters got ripped off?
18 comments:
Dear Mike V., I just read your post, and you are entitled to your opinion, but you don't know what you're talking about. Sincerely, Billy Joel
Nice to hear from you, Billy. How's that classical music career you were so serious about working out for you?
To Mike V. - That 'classical music career' you mentioned is actually INSTRUMENTAL music. And it's working out very well. Sincerely, Billy (The Jerk, greedy, pumpkin-head) Joel
Mike - By the way, I've changed my mind about you being entitled to have an opinion. Since you were not at both of those shows, and since you were not at ANY of those shows, and since all of your information is second-hand, you are not personally entitled to have an opinion at all. And since Paul MacCartney showed up out of the blue,( and you seem determined that I should have told him to pack up his bass and leave, because some people might be disappointed that they weren't there) that is a pretty good indication that you don't know doodley-squat about about show-business. Sincerely, Billy Joel
Hi Again Billy,
I had more respect for you when you weren't posting comments on a blog that has five readers. If you're so serious about your instrumental music career, how about releasing something other than another Greatest Hits collection of your pop music? It's only been, what, 15 of them now, including live CDs and DVDs?
By the way, if anyone out there believes that Paul McCartney showed up "out of the blue," and wasn't paid handsomely for his appearance, wake up and smell the capitalism.
Thanks for your comment.
Mike V
I don't care if you respect me or not. As for those Greatest Hits collections - they are released by Columbia Records whether I approve them or not, as per the terms of my recording contract. I have absolutely no control over that, and neither do most recording artists - especially those who haven't recorded anything new in 15 years. Paul MacCartney WAS a surprise guest, and he didn't receive one red cent for his appearance. Now you're calling me a liar, besides"a jerk"," greedy", and a "pumpkinhead". I didn't mind the other names, but don't call me a liar. You really have absolutely no idea what you're talking about, so why do you keep insisting on being an idiot? Sincerely, Billy Joel
Now you're just being silly.
By the way, "Billy," what are you doing in Orange County? Thought you were a Long Islander for life?
Let me tell you something son, after 59 years of experience, i've learned this much - never argue with an imbecile - they'll only try to drag you down to their level, and then they'll kill you with experience. I hope someday you'll learn that cynicism is no substitute for actual knowledge. And name-calling is empirical evidence of nothing. I'm done with you, and I am - Billy Joel.
www.billy-joel.is-a-jerk.com
To some:
Why get so worked up about all of this so negatively?
I feel the need to defend Billy Joel.
Personally, I love Billy Joel and always will. In my opinion, he is an instrumental, musical genius. He is a pianist who can only be challenged by Sir Elton John (and I believe he would not take insult to that comment).
The profound human insight that I hear through his lyrics cannot be rivaled. A few examples: Captain Jack, Downeaster Alexa, Goodnight Saigon. (Again, my opinion).
I am aware of his past (drinking..etc), but am I to assume no one on this thread has done anything similar?
Further, I am also aware of the cost of the concerts. As far as that goes, I tend to agree that it is too much for true fans.
All in all, I respect everyone's opinions, but wanted to say he is a great influence and an excellent musician.
On a final note, I am 30. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant was a hit when I was born. Point being, I have grown up loving this man's music and talent for my entire life.
Sincerely,
Sarah Anne (a fan)
"never argue with an imbecile ... And name-calling is empirical evidence of nothing."
I have to say, meeting billy Joel in Long Island at the back of the ranch music festival and personally a couple of other times, I have nothing good to say about him, not only did he treat his mother like shit, leaving her alone to talk to me, he was so arrogant, un-friendly, on the other hand, his then wife Christie Brinkley was lovely.
At another concert, a 2nd cousin travelled hundreds of miles to see him and Billy Joel could not even be bothered to say hello.
It sums it up really.
I know this was posted 6 years ago but I can't sit by and see my musical hero be verbally bashed by you idiots. Have any of you ACTUALLY ever met Billy? If not you have absolutely no room to make these accusations! I have met him 7 times and he's honestly one of the nicest and most down to earth people you could ever hope to meet!
Hey clueless. Yeah You. The one who met Billy Joel 7 Times and it was the highlight of your existence. You get an atta-boy for chiming in on a six year old topic. But Hey!! Wow!! You met Billy 7 whole times. What was it? Paid meet and greet? Or did you and Billy have a nice Hamptons bromance going on? I'm just so impressed. I wanna give you an Eskimo Pie sport, but you need to get Billy's tool out of your mouth first
I'm just starting to scratch the surface of what really makes me happy and it's taken me a while to admit that acting like a little child and being a jerk and a punk is fun. See the link below for more info.
#jerk
www.ufgop.org
Suuuuure it's Billy Joel.
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