Billy Joel is Ending his Madison Square Garden Residency With 150th Lifetime Performance

INSIDE THE ACTORS STUDIO, guest Billy Joel
J.L. Smith/Bravo/Everett Collection

Singer-songwriter Billy Joel is set to end his record-breaking residency. Joel is finishing up his longtime residency at Madison Square Garden after decades and will close with his 150th-lifetime show. Joel assured fans that he is not retiring but just wants to explore other concert venues. He played his very first show at the New York venue in 1978 and spent the last decade there performing a residency. The only time that he did not consistently play there was during the pandemic.

The start of his last ten concerts at Madison Square Garden will take place in October and his final show will be in July 2024. In his time performing there, he has entertained over 1.6 million fans and has played more shows at the venue than any other artist. Not only that but he holds the record for the most consecutive shows at the venue.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 01: Billy Joel attends MSG Entertainment and Billy Joel special franchise announcement at Chase Square at Madison Square Garden on June 01, 2023 in New York City

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Joel admitted, “It’s hard to believe we’ve been able to do this for ten years. Madison Square Garden is more than just our office, it’s home. It’s hard to end – even 150 lifetime shows, but as I said, we’re not abandoning New York, we’re just spending a bit more time someplace else.”

New York City Mayor Eric Adams added that Joel is “not merely an entertainer,” but someone who “captured the essence of New York City. He was an ambassador about what’s great about New York.” Joel is also gearing up to go on a tour with dates in the United States and the UK. On some of these dates, he will be performing with Stevie Nicks.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 26: Recording artist Billy Joel performs at Allegiant Stadium on February 26, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada

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Joel began performing as a solo artist in the ’70s and is often called the “Piano Man” after his hit song of the same name, which came out in 1973.

He remains one of the best-selling music artists of all time despite not releasing a new album in over twenty years. Will you try to attend one of his final shows at Madison Square Garden?

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May 2019

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