It's Billy Joel Day, commemorating his 100th performance at Madison Square Garden

In July 2018, then Governor of the state of New York, Andrew M. Cuomo, would declare July 18 Billy Joel Day. This was in celebration of Joel's 100th performance at Madison Square Garden. In July 2024, Joel will again celebrate a historic milestone at the venue.

Singer, pianist, and songwriter Billy Joel whose nickname is Piano Man, after his same-titled hit song, has been performing since 1970. In 2018 he would celebrate his 100th performance at Madison Square Garden with Bruce Springsteen joining him on stage. This event also saw other surprise guests join him on stage including Miley Cyrus, Jimmy Fallon, John Fogerty, Billy Gibbons, Brian Johnson, John Mayer, John Mellencamp, Olivia Rodrigo, Paul Simon, and more. His piano was put on display at the Seventh Avenue entrance to The Garden, outside of Chase Square, as part of the celebration.

Before his milestone performance in 2018, Joel would be named the first music franchise to have a residency at The Garden. In January 2014, Joel played his first residency performance, which required the musician to play one show every month for, as Joel put it, "as long as the demand continues."

In July 2024, Joel will perform his record-breaking 150th performance at The Garden, which will also be the last of his residency. In a press release, MSG Entertainment revealed that after 10 years Joel will perform the final 10 appearances of his residency beginning October 20, 2023.

Joel's first performance at The Garden occurred on Dec. 14, 1978. By 2006 he would set the record for "most consecutive performances by any artist," which was commemorated with a banner reading "Joel-12."

Throughout his career, Joel has written 33 Top 40 Hits, three that would see the top of the Billboard 100 chart, "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me," "Tell Her About It," and "We Didn't Start the Fire." He has been nominated for 23 Grammys, winning six, including Album of the Year for 52nd Street. He has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Long Island Music Hall of Fame.

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