Navy Chief
June 12th, 2009, 17:23
I first saw Billy perform at the Indianapolis Circle theater, back in (I think) 1977. The theatre capacity was only around 800. He was amazing, and a consummate performer. I remember him making comments about the cockroaches were so large backstage, they were wearing platform shoes.
A couple years later, when I was working as a chauffeur, I had the honor of driving him. The catch was, the only way I could ensure I'd get the job that night, was to drive for free. Didn't matter to me at the time. I just wanted to meet Billy. And so I did. I had several items for him to autograph, and (although his manager wasn't too thrilled about it) Billy signed every one of them. I asked Billy if he remembered performing at the Circle theatre two years previously, and he did, adding that he had a terrible toothache that night, and had to find a dentist for an emergency visit.....After the concert, I joined the group for some drinks at the bar in the Hilton where they were staying. Not all the members showed up, but I did get a chance to talk to Liberty Devitto (the drummer). Interesting character. I still have the list of rooms they occupied for that visit to Indy. The interesting thing about it is they used fake names, so groupies wouldn't know how to find them!
I have to say something about what it was like to see Billy Joel perform. He was non-stop energy from the beginning to the end of every concert. Back in the late 70s, his stage was a maze of platforms and ramps. He'd run up and down them, while singing, and never miss a note. He was an amazing to watch and hear.
Anyway, Billy Joel's older releases (in my opinion) were really great. Here are a few examples:
"The Entertainer"
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"Scenes From An Italian Restaurant"
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"Pressure"
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"Allentown"
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"Good Night Saigon"
cOw5bLrhauI
and my favorite from that time period is:
"Prelude:Angry Young Man" I really like this video, because it shows Billy's talent on the piano. Watching his hands up close is something to see. He is good; very good.
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and another version from 2006:
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NC
A couple years later, when I was working as a chauffeur, I had the honor of driving him. The catch was, the only way I could ensure I'd get the job that night, was to drive for free. Didn't matter to me at the time. I just wanted to meet Billy. And so I did. I had several items for him to autograph, and (although his manager wasn't too thrilled about it) Billy signed every one of them. I asked Billy if he remembered performing at the Circle theatre two years previously, and he did, adding that he had a terrible toothache that night, and had to find a dentist for an emergency visit.....After the concert, I joined the group for some drinks at the bar in the Hilton where they were staying. Not all the members showed up, but I did get a chance to talk to Liberty Devitto (the drummer). Interesting character. I still have the list of rooms they occupied for that visit to Indy. The interesting thing about it is they used fake names, so groupies wouldn't know how to find them!
I have to say something about what it was like to see Billy Joel perform. He was non-stop energy from the beginning to the end of every concert. Back in the late 70s, his stage was a maze of platforms and ramps. He'd run up and down them, while singing, and never miss a note. He was an amazing to watch and hear.
Anyway, Billy Joel's older releases (in my opinion) were really great. Here are a few examples:
"The Entertainer"
A3-JdCrd71Y
"Scenes From An Italian Restaurant"
uDvytBCh3xM
"Pressure"
Fu10CgX0USw
"Allentown"
FSrO_92cO2o
"Good Night Saigon"
cOw5bLrhauI
and my favorite from that time period is:
"Prelude:Angry Young Man" I really like this video, because it shows Billy's talent on the piano. Watching his hands up close is something to see. He is good; very good.
ErPywgiMb4k
and another version from 2006:
ZHOWzDP3qso
NC