Billy Joel

William Martin Joel (born May 9, 1949), better known as Billy Joel, is a pianist, singer and songwriter. He was married to famous supermodel Christie Brinkley from 1985 to 1994.

From an early age he had an intense interest in music, especially classical music.

Influences on him include:

• Ray Charles
• Dave Brubeck
• Sam Cooke
• The Rolling Stones
• The Beatles
• Otis Redding

He joined his first band at age fourteen, and participated in many more since and also played in piano bars under the name "Bill Martin". His first major album Piano Man was released in late 1973 and he has been releasing albums ever since. He has also toured successfully with Elton John, playing each other's songs.

Billy Joel has recently been returning to his fascination with classical music and has been experimenting in that area. Fantasies and Delusions, his first album of classical pieces, got a tepid response from critics but went to Number One on the classical charts.

Selected discography

• Cold Spring Harbor (1971)
• Piano Man (1973)
• Streetlife Serenade (1974)
• Turnstiles (1976)
• The Stranger (1977)
• 52nd Street (1979)
• Glass Houses (1980)
• Songs in the Attic (Live album) (1981)
• The Nylon Curtain (1982)
• An Innocent Man (1983)
• The Bridge (1986)
• Концерт (Live) (1987)
• Storm Front (1989)
• River of Dreams (1993)
• Fantasies and Delusions (2001)