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Why exactly did Billy Joel stop recording new music in 1993 while in his early 40s?

Emobacca

Emobacca

Member
Nov 2, 2017
783
Anyone ever feel he had much more to offer? Yeah he had already amassed one of the great songwriting libraries of all time by that young age and had nothing left to prove but I always found it shocking that he has not recorded a new album of pop music in nearly 3 decades

River of Dreams (the album) was a banger to go out on

 
Netherscourge

Netherscourge

Member
Oct 25, 2017
18,920
"Some people think it's because I'm lazy or I'm just being contrary," he said. "But, no, I think it's just -- I've had my say. If I put out an album now, it would probably sell pretty well, because of who I am, but that's no reason to do it. I'd want it to be good."
Oct 21, 2014
 
HStallion

HStallion

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
62,262
Because people still fucking love him and his music to the point he still sells out Madison Square Garden every time he puts on a new show.
 
Gorgamel

Gorgamel

Member
Oct 25, 2017
452
Billy Joel Appreciation Thread? Billy Joel Appreciation Thread!

My favorite underrated Billy Joel song:

 
Joshua

Joshua

Member
Oct 27, 2017
3,720
It's not like he retreated from public life. He toured extensively and had a killer discography to draw from at that point.
 
thekonamicode

thekonamicode

Member
Oct 27, 2017
2,726
I absolutely love the story of how Rock Band got Billy Joel in the game after never allowing his original recordings to be used in video games.


"Joel changed his mind when he happened to see a review in Entertainment Weekly about an episode of The Office. In the episode, middle management icon Michael Scott pines about a Billy Joel Rock Band game.


In the episode's review, the critic wrote "something like, 'God forbid that ever should happen,'" said Joel. "So I called my people and said, 'Get me [in] that Rock Band game.' Then I wrote the critic, saying that every time I get a check, I'll give him a little nod." "
 
skeezx

skeezx

Member
Oct 27, 2017
20,146
i remember his "farewell tour" i was like LOL yeah sure bud, "last tour" uh huh

then my astonishment it actually was. i guess he was legit done with it
 
mbpm

mbpm

Member
Oct 25, 2017
23,601
thekonamicode said:
I absolutely love the story of how Rock Band got Billy Joel in the game after never allowing his original recordings to be used in video games.


"Joel changed his mind when he happened to see a review in Entertainment Weekly about an episode of The Office. In the episode, middle management icon Michael Scott pines about a Billy Joel Rock Band game.


In the episode's review, the critic wrote "something like, 'God forbid that ever should happen,'" said Joel. "So I called my people and said, 'Get me [in] that Rock Band game.' Then I wrote the critic, saying that every time I get a check, I'll give him a little nod." "
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
That's too good.
 
EvilChameleon

EvilChameleon

Member
Oct 25, 2017
23,793
Ohio
The story behind the writing of Leningrad is so beautiful. Love Billy Joel. His piano work on "Root Beer Rag" and "Prelude/Angry Young Man" is unrivaled.
 
mils

mils

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
22
User Banned (Permanent): Low-effort troll posts in multiple threads
He did the world a favor. Billy Joel fucking sucks.
 
ConfusingJazz

ConfusingJazz

Not the Ron Paul Texas Fan.
Member
Oct 26, 2017
3,896
China
He learned his lesson from the jokes about old singers playing new stuff at concerts.

I mean, what's the newest song you want to hear at a concert from singers and bands that have been around for 20+ years? Sometimes, they get a hit, but it's rare and far between. Usually, the "new album" songs are bathroom break music.

Billy Joel was getting paid plenty to play the same damn songs to the same people for 30 years. All he has to worry about is his DWI lawyer, and he is fine.
 
Loxley

Loxley

Prophet of Truth
Member
Oct 25, 2017
9,618
In a world where countless singers, musicians and bands in their twilight years continue to fart out subpar material seemingly just for the sake of cashing in on their loyal fans, I admire the guy for saying "Hey, I got nothing new or interesting left in me, so I'll just play the hits until I'm dead."
 
Travo

Travo

Member
Oct 27, 2017
6,581
South Carolina
Omg, been listening to his songs lately and wondered the same. River of Dreams is good though. Did he record the Perfect Strangers theme?
 
CloseTalker

CloseTalker

Member
Oct 25, 2017
30,626
Billy Joel is fucking awesome, and it's both sad and admirable that he's one of miraculously few artists that has enough self awareness to know when to stop.
 
Nida

Nida

Member
Aug 31, 2019
11,190
Everett, Washington
Also, I love this clip of him performing in Moscow. I guess when the lights were out people felt comfortable dancing, but the venue would turn them on and everyone would stop. He flips the fuck out but doesn't miss a beat in the song.

 
TaterTots

TaterTots

Member
Oct 27, 2017
12,963
He put out hit after hit for a long time. I'd imagine he either wasn't satisfied with what he was writing or he thought "eh that's enough." I guarantee the guy continued to write music, but probably just for himself as a hobby. You can't just stop writing if its something you love.
 
fallout

fallout

Member
Oct 27, 2017
2,229
In addition to the radio-friendly hits, he's got a pretty diverse catalog of excellent songs too. There's not much he hasn't accomplished both creatively and financially.



 
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