‘Movin’ Out’: Billy Joel to end Madison Square Garden residency
Residency ending 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. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images) (John Lamparski 2023/Getty Images)
By Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
After breaking a world record for playing the same venue consecutively, Billy Joel is ending his run.
The “Piano Man” is “Movin’ Out” of Madison Square Garden.
After 10 years of sold-out shows at the iconic venue, Joel will end his residency in July 2024, WNBC reported.
He holds the record for the most performances at the arena with 136. Joel has also had the most consecutive performances with 90.
“I’m kind of flabbergasted that it lasted as long as it did. My team tells me that we could continue to sell tickets, but ten years, 150 shows – all right already!” Joel said, according to WNBC. “I do remember the first time we played Madison Square Garden, it was the pinnacle of my career. I thought, ‘My God, I’m headlining Madison Square Garden.’ Everybody in the world knows when you play The Garden, it’s not just New York.”
Joel started his residency in January 2014, playing one show a month for “as long as the demand continues,” The Associated Press reported.
He broke his own record the next year for “most consecutive performances by any artist” when he hit the stage for the 13th time.
In 2015, he broke another record for “most lifetime performances by any artist” with his 65th lifetime show.
“There’s only one thing that’s more New York than Billy Joel — and that’s a Billy Joel concert at MSG,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said, the AP reported. “For more than 50 years, Billy’s music has defined our city and brought us together. On behalf of 8.5 million New Yorkers, congratulations, Billy, on a historic run of sold-out shows at MSG, and thank you for a lifetime of bringing joy to us all.”
He has had 33 Top 40 hits, including three No. 1s.
Through the years UNITED STATES - JANUARY 01: USA Photo of Billy JOEL, Editorial Use Only - No Commercial Use Permitted (Photo by Gems/Redferns) (Gems/Redferns)
Through the years Billy Joel wearing a NY Yankee's hat; circa 1970; New York. (Photo by Art Zelin/Getty Images) (Art Zelin/Getty Images)
Through the years Billy Joel sits in the auditorium seating during a soundcheck, playing accordion, New York, 7th December 1977. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) (Michael Putland/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK - DECEMBER 1978: American singer-songwriter, composer, and pianist Billy Joel plays Madison Square Garden in New York, NY, December 1978. (Photo by Don Aters/Icon and Image/Getty Images) (Icon and Image/Getty Images)
Through the years UNSPECIFIED - JANUARY 01: Photo of Billy JOEL (Photo by Mike Prior/Redferns) (Mike Prior/Redferns)
Through the years Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley during 1986 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty)
Through the years Moscow, Russia - 1987: Bill Joel before Saint Basil's Cathedral. (Photo by Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) (ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Con)
Through the years Bruce Willis and Billy Joel (Photo by Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images) (Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 8: Billy Joel and Alexis Roderick pose on the red carpet during the The 36th Kennedy Center Honors gala at the Kennedy Center on December 8, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kris Connor/Getty Images) (Kris Connor/Getty Images)
Through the years WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 08: (L-R) Kennedy Center Honorees Shirley MacLaine, Billy Joel and Herbie Hancock attend a reception at the White House for the 2013 Kennedy Center Honorees on December 8, 2013 in Washington, DC. The honorees this year include: opera singer Martina Arroyo, jazz musician Herbie Hancock, musician Billy Joel, actress Shirley MacLaine and musician Carlos Santana. (Photo by Kristoffer Tripplaar-Pool/Getty Images) (Pool/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 17: Billy Joel performs onstage at the ASCAP Centennial Awards at Waldorf Astoria Hotel on November 17, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images for ASCAP) (Brian Ach)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 07: Billy Joel performs at Madison Square Garden on January 7, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images) (Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 07: Billy Joel and Elton John attend the Elton John AIDS Foundation Commemorates Its 25th Year And Honors Founder Sir Elton John During New York Fall Gala at Cathedral of St. John the Divine on November 7, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images) (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - JULY 18: Billy Joel sits in front of the banner at a press conference honoring his 100th Lifetime Performance at Madison Square Garden on July 18, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Through the years NEW YORK, NY - JULY 18: Billy Joel sits at a piano that was dedicated to him during an event at a press conference honoring his 100th Lifetime Performance at Madison Square Garden on July 18, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Through the years 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. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images) (John Lamparski 2023/Getty Images)