Billy Joel

He played piano on The Shangri-Las' 1965 hit, "Leader of the Pack". He was 16 years old at the time.

Began in group "Echoes" (later known as the "Lost Souls"). Also a member of the Hassles (who performed at Westchester N.Y.'s famous Riviera Lounge in 1967) and Attila. Inducted in the Songwriters Hall of Fame 1992. Seven consecutive albums made the Top 40.

The Hassles hit #112 on the Billboard Singles Charts in 1967 with "You've Got Me Hummin'" (United Art. 50215)

Some of his countless hits are "Piano Man" (1973), "She's Always a Woman" (1978), "My Life" (1979), "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" (1980, first US #1) "Allentown" (1982), "Uptown Girl" (1983, first UK #1), "Tell Her About It" (1983, US #1), "The Longest Time" (1983), "We Didn't Start The Fire" (1989), "Leningrad" (1989), "The Rivers of Dreams" (1993) and "All About Soul" (1993).

His song "Just the Way You Are" released in 1977 is one of the most covered and radio played songs of all-time.

His album The Stranger (released in 1977) was the most successful album in Columbia Records history at the time, but because of bad management, he only made $3,000 from it.

His 1978 album, "52nd Street," was the first album to be released on compact disc in 1982.

Family Records, the first label that Joel signed with back in the early '70s, had a lifetime clause in their contract with Joel. This clause came back to haunt him when he signed with major label Columbia Records a few years later. Up until the end of the 1980s, every Joel album sold by Columbia, 25 cents would be paid to Family as a royalty for each album sold. Also, Columbia had to put the Family name, logo, and copyright on every Joel album they produced.

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.

His and Twyla Tharp's hit musical "Movin' Out" received 10 Tony nominations for the 2003 Tony Awards including: Best New Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical, Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, Best Choreography, and Best Orchestrations. Out of the 10 nominations "Movin' Out" received two Tony's, one went to Tharp for Best Choreography, and the other went to Joel himself for Best Orchestrations.

He was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in 2004. It is placed outside Pantages Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard.

Underwent double hip surgery in a Long Island, New York hospital to treat a congenial hip ailment [November 24, 2010].

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6233 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.