What a way to end our 30th wedding anniversary 'surprise' trip! For those of you old enough to remember the Readers Digest, the condensed version of this trip would be titled Wine, Fireworks, Chocolate and Music for the Ages. Months ago I set out to plan a surprise trip for my wonderful bride of 30 years with the idea that she would know nothing about what we were going to do and where we were going to go, but that we would be together 24/7 for 8 days experiencing a number of FUN things and hopefully check off some of those 'bucket list' items in the process. Not to bore you with the other parts of the trip which were memorable in their own right, leave it to say that the culminating surprise of this trip (for me as well) occurred when we drove into Hershey, PA on July 6 and saw the huge billboard announcing that Billy Joel was performing in concert on July 10. At that moment an epiphany occurred. Although the land of chocolate (more revered and loved than me) was to be the final treat in what was to be our 3,500 mile round trip journey from America's heartland it seemed to me that this concert was not mere happenstance. The next two days we did everything Hershey to my wife's delight, but I could tell secretly that she was wishing it were possible for us to find a way to take two more days and get tickets to see The Entertainer. I had planned everything flawlessly thus far, and even the spontaneous decisions and activities had gone well. Our last destination was to be the Hershey Gardens where I had packed a picnic lunch to sit outside and enjoy the visual beauty of the flowers and the spectacular view overlooking Hershey before embarking on our long road trip back to Minnesota. I am a closet karaoke king, although not in the car (one need only ask my two grown children who had to experience 18+ years of my bold and bodacious attempts on our many road trips as they were growing up) where I too often sang loud and proud with Frank, JT and Billy being a few of my all-time favorites. I had actually previously planned, practiced and sung to her Just The Way You Are as we toasted our 30 years when as she began to tear up much to our surprise we were suddenly serenaded by the lilting melodies of a montage of Billy Joel songs filling the air during the stage crews sound checks for the upcoming performance. This had to be providence, so we walked around the gardens each hoping the other would simply suggest that we do whatever we could to extend the trip another two days and get to the concert. When I walked into the gift shop to make a purchase and the clerk expressed how excited she was to be going to the concert I had to ask, "Do you know if there are any more tickets available?" with full anticipation that the answer would be, “No.” When much to my astonishment she said, "Yes, my mother just got me one today when they announced the release of additional tickets at a price of $25." Needless to say when I went out to tell my wife the deal was sealed and we quickly scrambled to make accommodation arrangements so that we could really end this trip the right way. The night was beautiful, the span of generations smiling and singing along a sight to behold (and hear), and of course Billy was himself, the "same old someone that I knew" - entertaining, sincere, authentic and FUN. We boisterously sang along and eventually couldn't restrain ourselves anymore leaving our bleacher seats to go down on the field and dance to the music. Billy, two and a half hours later and three encores to boot you not only "...got us feeling all right" but you left us feeling all right! I can only hope that it won’t take another 30 years for us to experience this same level of excitement!

It was my first concert I paid to go see and I couldn't have gone to see a better performer. Billy Joel was amazing!! Come back to Hershey next year!!!!

Born and raised in Central PA, I started listening to Billy Joel seriously in 76', when Starview was playing the live version of Summer, Highland Falls, from the promo album 'Souvenir.' Schedule conflicts, ticket prices and circumstance have always kept me from attending a live Billy Joel show. Over 30 years of expectations can be tough to match, but the performance of 7/10 easily exceeded mine. Personal highlights were 'I've Loved These Days', 'Zanzibar', and 'Big Man On Mulberry Street.' Having both horn and string sections turned many of the songs into transcendant performances. Thanks for an incredible night of music.

Billy you were simply amazing in Hershey! You sounded great! What made my night was that you did "Captain Jack". That is the first time I ever saw you do that song live in person. It was worth the 3 hour trip for sure. You and your whole band rocked! The stage and the lighting as well was amazing!
You made a great call by going on stage later and waiting unit it was dark. I think if the show started while it was still light it would have taken away from the amazing stage. PLEASE KEEP TOURING! I so want to see you again. The only bad thing about the night was that it had to end. Nothing beats 27,000 people singing "Piano Man" at the top of their lungs to end the night! You, your band, and crew keep up the amazing work! Thank you for a memorable show!
Billy Jones
Union Dale, PA.

The concert was OUTSTANDING! Billy Joel is a true entertainer, our seats were on the field and although we couldn't see Billy on stage, the atmosphere, lights, and music was awesome! It was great to see people of all ages singing the words to the songs I grew up with in the 70's & 80's. The tickets to the show were a gift from my son for mother's day.......Thank You Andy, it was truely a special night.

This was my fifth time seeing Billy. My first concert was 87' ish and I have loved each concert including getting to shake Billy's hand a few times and be able to sing with him most of the evening in Worcester, MA. Last night's horns were out of this world and I really appreciate the encouragement of letting people get close to the stage, but last nights venue stunk. I was in M and on the floor nothing was raised so you were forced to look around and through people and the screens were cool but way to low. Parking was insane and we ended up leaving after Lullabye just so we would get caught in it. We heard but missed Highway to Hell which would have been neat to see. You're only 59 Billy; I get a chance to see you again with my kids.

Rich

My wife and I attended the concert in Hershey last evening and will most likely never attend another event put on by the show producer.

Don't get me wrong, Billy Joel is my favorite performer and an excellent artist. His show was fantastic, the lighting and sound were top notch and I was glad to be able to attend for my second time.

We paid a small fortune for 3rd row tickets in section C and, because of my handicap, thought I would be able to see just fine without having to stand for an entire concert which I am unable to do.

When we arrived for the concert, sections A & C had been reversed and were not as displayed on the seating chart when we purchased our tickets. As a result, we had several stage devices and a camera directly in our line of sight. That was disappointment number one. We did not have the seats we paid for.

Now, I expected to have to deal with the crowd standing during the beginning of the concert, and I was able to manuever enough to be able to see. After a few songs, everyone sat down and all was good. What we weren't prepared for was the crowd of people that swarmed the stage from at least the first ten rows.

This large body of people standing at the front of the stage numbered in the hundreds and caused everyone that had been sitting in the first and second rows to have to stand up. My visibility was cut off. I couldn't even see the display screens most of the time because of the crowd.

I called security over to my seat and asked why all of these people were allowed to leave their seats and cut in front of those of us in the front rows. Security explained that the show producers had encouraged this to happen and that they were to allow the crowd to congregate. After confirming this with a security supervisor, all they could say was that I was welcome to stand in the crowd as well.

Now, you can imagine how someone with a disability might feel after spending all of this money to see the concert, only to have people from the back block the view and then be told that you can stand up if you like. Why don't you just tell someone that can't walk to get up and stand in the crowd!! Shame on the concert producers for this injustice!!

Billy Joel, you are still an awesome performer in my book, but I will most likely never attend another one of your concerts.

From one Bill to another, you still got it!!!

Saw you in concert the first time about 30 years ago at Bloomsburg, and again last night in Hershey. Two completely different times in my life, but both were awesome concerts.

The only thing that would have impressed me more last night was if you played Angry Young Man with your leg up over the piano like you did 30+ years ago!

You DO have the greatest job in the world! Thanks for bringing back a lot of fantastic memories (when I had hair too).

Bill

WOW, there are no words to say about your concerts, This is aprox3-4 one cannot remember
up there in the age with you, so what, as long as I knew I was at them... This concert bought many
memories for me being a Long Islander by birth, how I miss it all and seeing the sights on your
screens last night made my heart ache and feel great to see our great state on your screen for all
to see, as a Levittowner and hanging out at the Village Green, no words. SO, who cares if you haven't put out a record in 15 years, your music will live on thru the generations. My boys love it
they are in there early 20"s. These tickets were a belated 50th birthday present from my husband
and it was actually for the play but we couldn't coordinate the dates and then it was just put aside..
untill March when we were leaving to go see Mets play at Shea they announced on TV that you were coming so that was I needed to hear, CHARGE AND JUST GET THE TICKETS NOW!!!!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR IT ALL! A FAN, FRIEND, A NEW YORKER FOR EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Bill.

A soul experience for sure in Hershey last night! I got tickets for my wife’s early anniversary present. When I told her she cried, not sure if it was love for me, or you. LOL. We were in the side getting all the “head” in the beginning of the show. LOL! Wow what a stage and performance. And that AC/DC gig…man keep that in…..it really freaked me out, I loved it and I’m 53. Just one thing, you did not play The Downeaster "Alexa". My favorite,. I like you am a hardcore fisherman. If you ever need a fishing buddy, I’d love to tag with you on an offshore trip. My boat or yours! No shop talk or BS just hook-em and fry-em I’m only a couple hour away. LOL. Again an awesome show, hang tough. My wife loved every minute.

Dick Winn
awinn@state.pa.us
seahuntress68@hotmail.com

Billy I've loved your music since I was 8 years old, I used to listen to "The Stranger" over and over. I'm now 23 and finally got to see you live in Hersheypark Stadium-absolutely fabulous!!!!

this was the second time i have seen billy joel, and it was just as good as the first time!! he played all the songs i wanted to hear, and i had a great time with my mom and sister!!! "chainsaw" was a nice break in the action and he rocked! can't wait for my next billy concert!!!

Boy... it has been 30 years since I saw "The Piano Man" play... It should be a great show tonight here in Hershey. The crew has been working all week to remove the existing Hershey Stadium stage and erect the stage that they are touring with. Sound checks yesterday sounded good and the weather is great here today! I have pulled the set lists from prior shows and there are a lot of "classics" that I am looking forward to hear.

It should be close to a full house tonight (27,000+) in the stadium.... leave early folks as Hershey can get a bit congested on days when the Hershey Park is open along with large show like tonight.

Can't wait!

i saw this show in mohegan sun and it was spectacular. you won't be disappointed.

go to shea - no way! (boo mets)

see you joel fans wednsday!