In celebration of Billy Joel's 50th anniversary, the "Piano Man" has launched the "Billy Joel New York State Of Mind" Landmarks website — and the digital-only release of Places, the first in a series of thematic EP's showcasing select tracks from across his career.
Fans can log on to the "Landmarks" website at https://nysom.billyjoel.com/ to explore an interactive map highlighting 50 special New York locations connected to Billy's life and songs, "from Cold Spring Harbor to Madison Square Garden, from Sullivan Street to the Hudson River Line."
The site includes song histories, listening/saving options, and more. Fans can offer up their own suggestions for the "New York State Of Mind" website, which could expand the map beyond its current 50 locations.
Places, the five-track EP showcases songs associated with New York locations on the interactive map: "New York State Of Mind," "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)," "Big Man On Mulberry Street," "Everybody Loves You Now" and "Miami 2017 (Seen The Lights Go Out On Broadway)."
Any time that New York has faced tough times — be it 9/11 or Hurricane Sandy, Billy Joel has been front and center — often on the front lines supporting and cheering for New York on many levels. He recalled back in the '70s when the "Big Apple's" dire straits made him realize New York was the only place he could truly call home: ["I had moved back to New York from California; it was 1975 to '76. There was a famous headline when New York City was going to default. And New York turned to the feds and said, 'Can you help bail us out?' — and there's a famous Daily News headline, 'Ford To New York: 'Drop Dead.'' And I remember seeing that headline — I was out in L.A. — and I said, 'I'm goin' back. I'm goin' home. If the city's goin' down, I'm goin down with the city.'"] SOUNDCUE (:24 OC: . . . with the city)
IN OTHER BILLY JOEL NEWS
During his Saturday night (February 26th) concert at Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium, Billy Joel paid tribute to Procol Harum leader Gary Brooker, who died on February 19th at age 76 after a battle with cancer.
Following his nightly rendition of "Only The Good Die Young," Billy tackled Brooker's 1967 "Summer Of Love" standard, "A Whiter Shade Of Pale."
