NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — For one more night, he’s in a New York State of Mind.
Billy Joel will take his final bow on the Madison Square Garden stage Thursday night at a sold-out show that will conclude his 10-year residency at the famed Manhattan venue.
Joel, the quintessential New York musician who was born in the Bronx and grew up on Long Island, first graced the Garden’s stage in December of 1978. Many years and a wildly successful career later, he began his record-shattering Garden residency.
The final show will be Joel’s 150th lifetime performance at the venue.
The 75-year-old music icon, known for timeless hits like “Piano Man,” “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” “Uptown Girl” and “New York State of Mind,” had the Garden’s first-ever music franchise, joining the ranks of sports teams like the New York Knicks and Rangers.
Over its 10 years, Joel has played for over two million people by holding one show a month.
Fans outside of MSG flew out from all over the country to see the Piano Man at home for one last time. 1010 WINS/WCBS 880 spoke with concert goers from Atlanta, Canada, California, Texas, Virginia and more.
“His songs are about people and feelings and emotions, and I think it doesn't really matter where you're from,” one attendee said. “They speak to people the same.”
And to some, the magic of seeing Billy Joel live at Madison Square Garden is singular.
“The Garden shows are always going to be my favorite,” another fan said. “He just brings something, you know he’s on his turf. You know he’s talking to his people.”