Billy Joel

Having sold more than 150 million records, Billy Joel ranks as one of most popular recording artists and respected entertainers in the world. Throughout the years, Joel's songs have acted as personal and cultural touchstones for millions of people, mirroring his own goal of writing songs that "meant something during the time in which I lived…and transcended that time.” Billy Joel has had 33 Top 40 hits and 23 Grammy nominations since signing his first solo recording contract in 1972; he was presented with a Grammy Legend Award in 1990. He is an inductee of both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has been honored by both ASCAP and the Kennedy Center for his cultural achievement.
 
Joel has returned to performing frequently in the last decade, recently becoming the first ever music franchise of Madison Square Garden. He has also donated his time and resources to a variety of charitable causes outside the realm of his musical career. A longtime advocate for music education, he first began holding master class sessions on college campuses more than 20 years ago, and launched an ongoing educational initiative to provide seed money, musical scholarships, and endowments to a variety of east coast colleges, universities, and music schools. He also performed in benefit concerts in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.