Photos by Myrna Suárez (@myrnsuarezphoto)
Billy Joel dedicated his Friday night concert at New York’s Madison Square Garden to those affected by the Orlando shooting, and to pay tribute to the victims of the “senseless massacre,” Joel performed his optimistic “You’re Only Human (Second Wind)” for the first time since 1987.
“We’re gonna do a song I haven’t done in, I don’t know, 25 years or something. We may screw this up, but at least you know we’re not on tape,” Joel said of the Greatest Hits – Volumes I & II track. “It’ll be an authentic rock n’ roll fuck up.”
Prior to the performance, Joel spoke of “the shock and the sorrow” of the terror attack on the Pulse nightclub that killed 49 people in Orlando.
“We’re no strangers to terrorism and mayhem and grief, maybe here in New York more than any other city in America,” Joel said. “Us guys have been to Orlando many times, and we will be back there again, and I just want to dedicate tonight’s concert to the people of Orlando, especially the families and friends and the loved ones of the victims of this senseless massacre, you’re with us and we’re with you.”
Read more at Rolling Stone.
Billy Joel performs “You’re Only Human (Second Wind)” at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY, on June 17, 2016 in tribute to the victims and families of the Orlando shooting. The rainbow lighting was created by production designer and creative director Steve Cohen to represent the LGBT pride flag.
Fan video by res394cue.