Billy Joel the widely acclaimed singer, songwriter and pianist, was born William Joel Martin on May 9, 1949. He hails from the Bronx and was raised in Hicksville, New York. He came by his talent on the piano naturally as his German born father was an accomplished classical pianist. Needless to say his music lessons began at a young age with strong urging from his English mother. This ability seems to have been shared among Billy’s siblings as well since his half-brother, Alexander Joel, is an acclaimed classical pianist and conductor in Europe, currently residing in California.
When Billy Joel saw the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964 that was all the inspiration he needed to enter the music industry as a full-time career. He started pursuing a band to join and ended up with a band called the Echoes when he was 14 years old. He started recording sessions with them when he was 16. He signed his first solo record contract in 1971 and as result of technical problems, the album “Cold Spring Harbor” didn’t do very well. It was not until 1981 with the re-release of two songs on the original albums, that true success and recognition was received. The two songs were “She’s Got A Way” and “Everybody Loves You Now.” These are now among Joel’s big concert numbers.
Billy Joel’s personal life and relationships have had their bumps along the way. He married his first wife, Elizabeth Weber Small in 1973 and they divorced in 1982. In March,1985 he married model Christie Brinkley and they had daughter, Alexa Ray Joel in December 1985. Alexa’s middle name Ray was chosen in honor of Ray Charles, one of Joel’s music idols. Joel and Brinkley divorced amicably in 1994 and remain close friends. Joel married 23 year old culinary artist, Katie Lee, in 2004 with Alexa as maid of honor and Brinkley in attendance.
As rewarding as fame and fortune are they also tend to stretch celebrity coping skills to the limits. In 2002 Billy Joel entered Silver Hill, a substance abuse and psychiatric center in Connecticut. Subsequently, in 2005 he checked himself into the Betty Ford Center for 30 days. When his life was back in tune, he could pursue his boating interests, his family and the musical gifts he has presented the world.