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09.21.11

New Billy Joel Q&A - What Is Your Relationship With Your Band, And How Do You Handle Any Mistakes They Make?

Alexander Joel helps with this 12th question from our Nuremberg series, which is described here in its literal translation from German: “During your 2-year tour, were there any problems with the band and your relationship with the band, and were there any screw-ups with saxophone players?” Billy dives into the deeper essence of the question, which concerns his role in the band, the dynamics of a band on the road, and his “theory of mistakes.” He covers a lot of ground here, referencing The Rolling Stones, Vladimir Horowitz, and the sagest advice of jazz great, Stan Getz.

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09.20.11

Columbia/Legacy Recordings Commemorates Billy Joel's 40-Year Solo Career With Two Special Releases

BILLY JOEL - THE COMPLETE ALBUMS COLLECTION - A 15-CD BOX SET INCLUDING ALL HIS ORIGINAL RECORDINGS &

2-DISC LEGACY EDITION OF THE PIANO MAN ALBUM FEATURING LEGENDARY 1972 WMMR RADIO PERFORMANCE RECORDED LIVE AT PHILADELPHIA'S SIGMA SOUND STUDIOS

Available Tuesday, November 8

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09.14.11

New Billy Joel Q&A - What Is Your Opinion Of Garth Brooks, And His Recording Of Your Song 'Shameless?'

In this 11th question from our Nuremberg series, Billy is asked about his opinion of Garth Brooks, circa 1995, and Garth’s cover of his song "Shameless." The question sparks a recollection that reaches back to Billy’s first impressions of country music (which he sets to music), his appreciation of country artists Garth Brooks and Travis Tritt, and the influence of the great Ray Charles on his vocal style. It is another long answer to a short question, but well worth the visit on BillyJoel.com. Watch this in the video below and view more clips from our Billy Joel "Questions & Answers" lecture series!

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09.07.11

New Billy Joel Q&A - Are The Lyrics To 'Leningrad' A True History, And Would You Please Play 'Piano Man?'

Next year will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Billy Joel’s sojourn to the former Soviet Union in the summer of 1987. Traveling to Russia with his wife Christie Brinkley and daughter Alexa Ray, along with his full live production, Billy staged shows in Moscow and Leningrad. During that tour Billy befriended a circus clown, named Victor, who inspired the song "Leningrad," which appears on the Storm Front album released 2 years later.

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09.06.11

Paul McCartney 9/11 Documentary 'The Love We Make' Screenings September 8th, Billy Joel Included In Film

As the tenth anniversary of 9/11 approaches, the documentary THE LOVE WE MAKE, which chronicles Paul McCartney's journey through the streets of New York in the aftermath of the World Trade Center's destruction will be previewed at select theaters across the country on September 8th.

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08.31.11

New Billy Joel Q&A - Can You Compare American And European Culture For Us?

Question 9 from our Nuremberg series turns to the political subject of European and American culture, and Billy is asked to draw comparisons. “A typical European question,” Billy exclaims. He defers the question’s best answer to politicians beyond the confines of Meistersinger Hall, but gives us his best shot, drawing from his own multicultural family experience, with a possible lineage to “polar bears” in the family tree, thrown into the mix for added insight. He predicts that we are becoming a lot like each other, Europeans and Americans, as the world becomes one small place.

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08.24.11

Billy Joel Interviewed About Motorcycles By New York Daily News

In this new video from the New York Daily News, Billy talks about cafe racer motorcycles and his hatred of choppers. Billy recently gave this interview while speaking at a party for Moto Guzzi at his 20th Century Cycles shop in Oyster Bay, N.Y. The clip also features some shots of Billy's bike collection.

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08.24.11

New Billy Joel Q&A - As A Musician And Human Being, Is Getting Older A Problem For You?

Every question is a surprise, and this candid 8th question from our Nuremberg series asked Billy if he worries about getting old as an artist. Billy considers the alternative and replies with an honest take on life’s evolution as a musician, composer and human being. He uses the moment to consider his age at that time, 46, and invites his younger brother Alex Joel, then 23, to join him on stage in a classical interlude. The Joels duet face to face and trade piano parts on Beethoven’s 6th Symphony, Pastoral.

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08.17.11

New Billy Joel Q&A - Can You Tell Me What Made You Write The Song ‘Summer, Highland Falls?’

Billy discusses the creative use of “sadness and euphoria,” constant currents in his life and work, explored here with this 7th question from our Nuremberg series. He was asked to play a song, and folded two questions into one, with a solo performance of “Summer, Highland Falls,” followed by an explanation of the song’s creative context.

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08.10.11

New Billy Joel Q&A - When Were You First Aware Of Your German Jewish Origins?

Billy was asked this 6th question during our Nuremberg series, and his brother, Alex Joel, accompanied Billy onstage at Meistersinger Hall and translated the question into English from German. In his answer, Billy looks back on his life as a young child growing up in Hicksville, Long Island, a predominately Christian neighborhood. You can watch the clip below, and check out more videos from our Billy Joel "Questions & Answers" lecture series.

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08.05.11

Billy Joel To Appear On New Season Of 'Cafe Racer' On Velocity Network

Billy will be appearing on season two of one of his favorite TV shows -- "Cafe Racer" -- which airs on the Velocity Network (aka Discovery HD Theater). The show's new season premiered this week, and you can find upcoming air dates at Discovery.com.

In Episode 5 of season two, Billy and 20th Century Cycles will be featured, including exclusive footage of the shop's opening and Billy's bike collection. The premiere date for this episode has not been announced yet, so be sure to keep checking the "Cafe Racer" schedule.

In the meantime, check out this "Cafe Racer" promotional video for season two, which includes a brief clip of Billy!

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08.03.11

New Billy Joel Q&A - Do You Write Your Own Videos, Or Scripts, Like 'The River Of Dreams,’ Or Are They Written For You?

Please enjoy Billy’s response in Part 5 of “An Evening Of Questions & Answers,” recorded live at Meistersinger Hall, in Nuremberg, June 1995.

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