NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Billy Joel is heading back to Madison Square Garden.
The Piano Man will be back at the Manhattan arena Friday night for the first concert in his residency there since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re kind of looking at it like a homecoming,” Joel told the Daily News of the upcoming concert. “We haven’t played there for a long time, and we miss it.”
Friday’s show will mark the 74th in the entertainer’s historic monthly residency, which has been paused for 21 months since March 2020.
Joel, 72, began his residency at the arena in January 2014, starting Madison Square Garden’s first-ever music franchise. He played his first concert at The Garden on Dec. 14, 1978.
At his 13th consecutive monthly performance, in January 2015, Joel also broke his 2006 record for most consecutive sold-out shows at the venue.
In a press release Thursday, James Dolan, executive chairman and CEO of MSG Entertainment, noted that he is thrilled to welcome Joel back to the stage.
“I can’t begin to express how excited we all are to welcome Billy Joel back to The Garden tomorrow night. Billy is New York, and Madison Square Garden - his home away from home - has not been the same without him,” he said.
“The return of Billy’s monthly sold-out residency is not only about unforgettable music by one of the greatest entertainers in history, it is also an incredibly important moment in New York City’s recovery, and sends a powerful message that we’re on our way back,” Dolan added.
Despite Joel turning 72-years-old this past May, the performer has said he has no plans of calling it quits on his Garden residency just yet.
In a release, he said he will continue to do monthly shows at the arena for “as long as the demand continues.”
According to the Daily News, Joel’s performance Friday night will be similar to those of the past and will feature his most popular hits, including “Uptown Girl,” “Moving Out” and “Only the Good Die Young.”
Tickets for Joel’s November show have been sold out for weeks. However, some tickets are still available for December and other future performances. Visit MSG.com for more information.
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