He is in a LIRR mental state.
Rock legend Billy Joel has revealed he’s ditched his helicopter for a more modest means of transportation to and from concerts: the Long Island Railroad. There, he is dismissed as a lookalike by other cynical commuters.
The 74-year-old “Uptown Girl” singer once flew a flashy helicopter to her Madison Square Garden residency, but she traded the air for a truck due to safety concerns. he told Newsday A record-breaking residency at the storied Midtown venue comes to an end.
This choice initially concerned his team, who thought his stardom would cause “havoc.”
However, Joel said he had no problems commuting to work.
“Sometimes people see me on the train and think, ‘Look at this guy trying to look like Billy Joel.’ He’s not making fun of anyone,” he told the outlet.
In a recent interview with Stephen Colbert, the “New York State of Mind” singer admitted that helicopter turbulence makes him anxious.
“I’m on the Long Island Railroad right now,” he told the late-night host.
Congratulations on LIRR being chosen as the transportation option for “Piano Man.” write to x Friday: “Was that Billy Joel on the LIRR? In fact, like many other Long Islanders, he prefers the train for trips to Madison Square Garden.”
Joel will perform his 150th and final performance of his residency at Madison Square Garden on July 25th.
His March 28 concert will be filmed by CBS (a first for the rock star) and will be released in mid-April.
“It’s time for people across the country and around the world to learn about Billy’s accomplishments,” Dennis Alpha, Billy’s agent who created the CBS special, told Newsday.
“We wanted to reach as many people as possible from all economic and age groups.”
Meanwhile, the self-conscious star says she’s “not very photogenic” and “I’m not usually a big fan of TV shows.”
“You know, I signed on as a musician, not as a TV actor,” he told the outlet.
The star is a household name and may be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but “we’ll never know,” he said.
“When was the transition? When did it happen?” he questioned, before adding: I thought it had some value. ”
Joel began his first Garden residency in 2014.
However, Piano Man will continue to perform.
“This is what I do,” he said.
“I asked Springsteen, ‘What are you going to do?’ I told Don Henley the same thing: ‘What’s your plan?’
“This is my job,” they told him. “And they’re right. This is what we’re doing.”
