Billy Joel, one of the most successful singer-songwriters of all time, is marking a special anniversary this month. It's been 50 years since he released his breakthrough album, 1973's ‘Piano Man.’
The album, which showcased Joel's storytelling skills and piano prowess, received critical acclaim and commercial success. Rolling Stone praised Joel for his "new seriousness and flexibility" and compared him to Elton John. Billboard hailed him as a "consistent quality AM artist with large scale songs and dynamic performing range".
The album reached #27 on the Billboard 200 chart, and spawned the iconic title track, which peaked at #25 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song, a fictionalized account of Joel's time as a lounge singer at the Executive Room in Los Angeles, features memorable characters such as John the bartender, Paul the real estate novelist, and Davy who's still in the Navy. Joel revealed that John the bartender was not from Long Island, but from out west somewhere, and that he looked like Tom Selleck.
Other notable songs on Piano Man include "Captain Jack," a dark commentary on suburban drug abuse, "Travelin' Prayer," a country-flavored tune that won a Grammy for Dolly Parton, and "The Ballad of Billy the Kid," an epic saga of the notorious outlaw.
Piano Man has been certified platinum four-times by the RIAA, and is widely regarded as one of Joel's best albums. It also launched his remarkable career that has spanned six decades and earned him numerous awards and honors, including six Grammys, the Kennedy Center Honors, and the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
Piano Man is available on CD, vinyl, and digital platforms. Fans can also stream or download the album from various services.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]