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One Night Only at Intuit Dome
October 8, 2024 by Jimmy Alvarez
I can’t remember the exact year, but it was late 1970-something I’d guess. By then it was his fifth studio album, and I was just getting to know the music of Billy Joel.
I was a kid really, but I knew when I heard something I liked. I was a teenager and really getting into bands like The Who, Led Zeppelin, Eagles, The Stones, and KISS. But there was something about Joel’s music that captured my sonic ear.
Back in the day, my mom, dad and younger brother liked his music too. He was the one guy we could all talk about and listen to his albums.
I remember coming home to my mom listening to my cassette of Billy Joel’s “The Stranger” or “52nd Street.” Like most, it’s that love for his music that I keep with me to this day.
My parents have been gone for a few years now, but whenever I hear one of his songs, the memories come flooding back. Music really is a time machine that can transport you to any place in time. Joel’s music is paramount to songs from the key of life.
Having sold more than 50 million albums worldwide, Joel has catapulted to the top of successful artists. He’s done it all; he’s received Grammys, his music is used in commercials, television programs, and major motion pictures.
It’s been the longest time since I first heard the renderings of William Martin Joel from The Bronx by way of Oyster Bay, Long Island. Being a writer and all, the past few decades I have tilted to writing about big-big bands; the loud ones that get your attention.
Every now and then, I get a kick when I hear a song by a band that covers Joel’s music. Fall Out Boy covered “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” while Me First and The Gimme Gimmes gave us “Uptown Girl” and The Holophonics did a fantastic job with “The Longest Time.”
I – along with countless souls, I’m sure – was ecstatic to hear Joel would be playing at the newly-crowned Intuit Dome.
For the masses that grew up on his music, we’ll be there with bells on to hear the songs from the soundtrack of our lives.
We’ll be singing along to “Piano Man,” “Pressure,” “An Innocent Man,” “You May Be Right,” “Allentown,” “Honesty,” “My Life,” “Only the Good Die Young,” “Just the Way You Are,” “Anthony’s Song,” “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant,” and “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me.” Hopefully we’ll get to hear a personal favorite, “Say Goodbye to Hollywood.”
Regardless of which version of the Piano Man you love – or love to deny you love – there’s a seat for you at the bar, or by that river of dreams this Saturday night at Intuit Dome.
Needless to say, Billy Joel has lived a legendary career. It is safe to say that the future belongs to those who believe in the power and beauty of their words. For that, Joel has captured the hearts and souls of fans from coast-to-coast and around the world.
The tour title says it all, One Night Only! Let’s finally put some bread in his jar and say man we sure are glad you were here!
TO FOLLOW
SID 241008 | TRACI TURNER | EDITOR
