Characteristic Picture: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
Joel’s skilled journey started in 1971 with the discharge of his debut solo album “Chilly Spring Harbor,” and he has since launched 13 studio albums, promoting over 150 million information globally whereas being inducted into the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame in 1999. His band developed considerably over time, beginning with session musicians and varied touring lineups earlier than stabilizing round 1975 with what grew to become generally known as his traditional band formation, which remained largely intact by the Eighties earlier than present process main adjustments within the late Eighties and early Nineteen Nineties.
Billy Joel’s touring band as a complete didn’t start taking part in on his information till he recorded the album “Turnstiles” in 1976, marking the start of his most creatively and commercially profitable interval. This lineup included Richie Cannata on saxophones and organ, Liberty DeVitto on drums, Russell Javors and Howie Emerson on guitars, and Doug Stegmeyer on bass. This core group, which grew to become generally known as the traditional Billy Joel Band, supplied the musical basis for Joel’s biggest hits from “The Stranger” (1977) by “The Bridge” (1986), together with timeless songs like “Simply the Method You Are,” “Piano Man,” “Uptown Woman,” and “We Didn’t Begin the Hearth.” The band’s chemistry was rooted of their shared Lengthy Island origins and their musical historical past collectively earlier than becoming a member of Joel’s group.
The band, which now now not consists of any of its unique members, underwent important adjustments within the late Eighties when Joel determined to pursue completely different musical instructions and work with new producers. From “The Stranger” in 1977 by “The Bridge” in 1986, Joel had been working with the identical producer, Phil Ramone, in addition to with the identical primary incarnation of the Billy Joel Band, however for the 1989 album “Storm Entrance,” Joel selected a brand new producer, Mick Jones of Foreigner, and began making extra important personnel adjustments. At present’s Billy Joel band continues the custom of musical excellence whereas supporting his ongoing touring commitments, together with his record-breaking month-to-month residency at Madison Sq. Backyard that started in 2014 and has turn out to be probably the most profitable live performance franchise within the venue’s historical past.
Liberty DeVitto
Liberatori “Liberty” DeVitto served as Billy Joel’s drummer from 1975 to 2005, making him the longest-tenured member in Joel’s band historical past and one of the vital recognizable figures in Joel’s musical legacy. Born on August 8, 1950, in New York Metropolis to Italian ancestry, DeVitto taught himself to play drums after seeing The Beatles carry out on The Ed Sullivan Present in February 1964. He was additionally influenced as a young person by rock drummer Dino Danelli and developed a hard-hitting, aggressive model that will turn out to be good for Joel’s New York-influenced sound.
DeVitto’s path to becoming a member of Joel’s band started by his childhood friendship with Russell Javors and their shared expertise within the Lengthy Island band Topper alongside Doug Stegmeyer. Billy and I used to play the identical membership in Plainview, Lengthy Island known as “My Home.” We might watch one another play and acknowledge one another in passing. When Joel was searching for a everlasting band in 1974, Doug Stegmeyer advisable DeVitto as a result of Billy was searching for a New York-type drummer, aggressive and laborious hitting. The three of us recorded the essential tracks for Turnstiles and we each advisable Russell Javors and Howie Emerson, who performed guitars in Topper and with the addition of Richie Cannata on saxophone, the “Billy Joel Band” was born.
DeVitto’s drumming supplied the rhythmic basis for Joel’s most profitable albums, together with “Turnstiles,” “The Stranger,” “52nd Road,” “Glass Homes,” “The Nylon Curtain,” “An Harmless Man,” “The Bridge,” “Storm Entrance,” and “River of Desires.” His highly effective taking part in model and intuitive understanding of Joel’s musical imaginative and prescient made him a vital part of the band’s sound. He’s credited as a drummer on information which have bought a mixed complete of 150 million models worldwide. DeVitto’s contributions prolonged past drumming, as he typically supplied enter on preparations and helped form the band’s total musical route.
The partnership between DeVitto and Joel got here to an finish in 2005 when DeVitto was not invited to proceed with the band, resulting in authorized disputes over royalties and music credit. After working with Joel for 30 years, DeVitto was discharged from the 2006 Billy Joel tour for an unknown cause. The 2 ultimately reconciled in 2020 when DeVitto reached out by way of e mail, resulting in a gathering and Joel’s settlement to jot down the foreword for DeVitto’s memoir “Liberty: Life, Billy and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Following his departure from Joel’s band, DeVitto fashioned The Lords of 52nd Road with fellow former Joel band members Richie Cannata and Russell Javors, performing trustworthy renditions of Joel’s traditional recordings.
Doug Stegmeyer
Douglas Alan Stegmeyer served as Billy Joel’s bassist from 1974 to 1989, changing into one of the vital essential musical contributors to Joel’s traditional interval and incomes the nickname “The Sergeant Of The Billy Joel Band.” Born on December 23, 1951, in Flushing, Queens, Stegmeyer grew up in a musical household along with his father being an completed musician and his mom a up to date singer and piano participant. He took up bass guitar at age 14 and after graduating from Syosset Excessive College, joined the band Topper with buddies Russell Javors and Liberty DeVitto, changing into one of many hottest membership bands on Lengthy Island.
Stegmeyer’s introduction to Billy Joel got here in 1974 when Joel was residing in Los Angeles and searching for a brand new band with a New York sound. A mutual pal advised that Joel attain out to Stegmeyer, and he flew out to California to affix Joel on bass for the “Streetlife Serenade” tour. After the tour completed, Stegmeyer advised that Joel give a take heed to DeVitto and Javors, resulting in the formation of what would turn out to be the traditional Billy Joel Band. Stegmeyer’s bass work may be heard on each one in all Joel’s studio albums from “Turnstiles” (1976) by “The Bridge” (1986), in addition to the stay albums “Songs within the Attic” and “КОНЦЕРТ.”
Stegmeyer’s taking part in model mixed eager musical instinct with harmonic consciousness and a band-first mentality that made him the right basis for Joel’s intricate songwriting. His bass work featured tastefully executed grace notes, slaps, fretless glissandos, and nimble plectrum and finger selecting, all rendered with a crisp chew that served the music. He ceaselessly matched Liberty DeVitto’s kick drum patterns to bolster the heartbeat of the music, creating one of the vital highly effective rhythm sections in fashionable music. His tone stood out by the combo, offering a clear and highly effective low finish with sufficient midrange presence to definitively stand as much as the opposite devices.
Stegmeyer and Russell Javors left the band in 1989, in keeping with DeVitto, they have been pressured out as Joel made important adjustments to his musical route. Following his departure from Joel’s band, Stegmeyer maintained a busy schedule recording and producing, opening his personal studio and persevering with his music profession. Tragically, on August 25, 1995, Stegmeyer died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his Smithtown, New York residence. On October 23, 2014, Stegmeyer was posthumously inducted into the Lengthy Island Music Corridor of Fame alongside along with his former Topper and Joel bandmates Richie Cannata, Liberty DeVitto, and Russell Javors, primarily for his or her work with Joel.
Russell Javors
Russell Javors served as guitarist and vocalist for Billy Joel’s band from 1976 to 1989, contributing rhythm guitar, backing vocals, and occasional lead guitar work throughout Joel’s most profitable business interval. Born and raised on Lengthy Island, Javors started his musical journey at age 15, performing songs along with his childhood pal Liberty DeVitto. He met Doug Stegmeyer in highschool, and together with Howard Emerson, fashioned the band Topper, the place they carried out unique songs written by Javors. The band grew to become generally known as one of many hottest membership acts on Lengthy Island and ultimately attracted Billy Joel’s consideration.
Javors’ transition from Topper to the Billy Joel Band occurred when Joel was assembling his everlasting touring and recording group in 1975. When DeVitto and Stegmeyer joined Joel to report primary tracks for “Turnstiles,” they advisable each Javors and Howard Emerson as guitarists. Javors’ rhythm guitar work and backing vocals grew to become integral elements of Joel’s sound all through the late Seventies and Eighties. His taking part in model complemented the band’s total dynamic, offering strong rhythmic help whereas often stepping ahead for lead guitar components when wanted.
All through his tenure with Joel, Javors contributed to a number of the most beloved albums in fashionable music, together with “Turnstiles,” “The Stranger,” “52nd Road,” “Glass Homes,” “The Nylon Curtain,” “An Harmless Man,” and “The Bridge.” His guitar work and harmonies may be heard on traditional Joel songs that proceed to obtain common radio play and are carried out at live shows worldwide. Javors’ contributions prolonged past simply taking part in, as his songwriting expertise from his Topper days supplied invaluable enter throughout the artistic strategy of Joel’s albums.
Javors left Joel’s band in 1989 together with Doug Stegmeyer as Joel made important adjustments to his musical route and manufacturing method. Following his departure, Javors continued his music profession and ultimately reunited along with his former bandmates in The Lords of 52nd Road. On October 23, 2014, Javors was inducted into the Lengthy Island Music Corridor of Fame together with Cannata, DeVitto, and Stegmeyer (posthumously), primarily for his or her work with Joel. The Lords of 52nd Road continues to carry out trustworthy renditions of Joel’s traditional recordings, permitting followers to expertise the unique preparations and vitality of the songs as they have been first recorded.
Richie Cannata
Richard “Richie” Cannata served as saxophonist, keyboardist, and occasional vocalist for Billy Joel from 1976 to 1982, bringing a jazz sensibility and distinctive saxophone sound that grew to become synonymous with Joel’s traditional recordings. Cannata joined the newly fashioned Billy Joel Band when the core members of Topper have been assembled with Joel, finishing the lineup that will outline Joel’s sound all through his most profitable interval. His saxophone work grew to become one of the vital recognizable parts of Joel’s music, significantly evident on songs like “Simply the Method You Are” and quite a few tracks from “The Stranger” and “52nd Road.”
Cannata’s musical versatility made him a useful member of the band, as he contributed not solely saxophone but in addition organ, keyboards, and backing vocals when wanted. His jazz background introduced sophistication to Joel’s preparations, serving to to raise the musical complexity of the recordings whereas sustaining their accessibility to mainstream audiences. The addition of Richie Cannata on saxophone accomplished the “Billy Joel Band” formation that will turn out to be one of the vital profitable backing bands in fashionable music historical past.
One essential addition to the band in 1982 was the alternative of his long-time saxophonist Richie Cannata with Mark Rivera. Cannata’s departure marked the tip of an period for the traditional Joel band lineup, although the explanations for his leaving weren’t broadly publicized. His saxophone work on Joel’s traditional albums stays a number of the most memorable and influential in fashionable music, serving to to outline the delicate pop-rock sound that made Joel a world celebrity.
Following his time with Joel, Cannata established Cove Metropolis Studios, the place he continues to work as a producer and engineer. Liberty DeVitto serves as the home drummer at Cannata’s studio, sustaining their musical partnership past their Joel years. In 2014, Cannata reunited with DeVitto and Javors for his or her induction into the Lengthy Island Music Corridor of Fame, they usually formally fashioned The Lords of 52nd Road, which performs trustworthy renditions of the unique Joel recordings. For the 2006 tour, Cannata quickly returned on lead saxophones although he quickly left the band once more and Rivera returned to his place as lead saxophonist, demonstrating the continued respect Joel had for Cannata’s musical contributions.
David Brown
David Brown served as lead guitarist for Billy Joel from 1978 by the Eighties, becoming a member of the band throughout their peak business interval and contributing distinctive guitar work to a few of Joel’s most beloved albums. Joel additionally added lead guitarist David Brown in 1978 who stayed with the band all through the Eighties, starting with the recording of “Glass Homes” (1980). Brown’s addition to the band supplied a unique guitar dynamic from the rhythm guitar work of Russell Javors, permitting for extra complicated preparations and layered guitar components that enhanced Joel’s more and more subtle compositions.
Brown’s guitar work may be heard on essential Joel albums together with “Glass Homes,” “The Nylon Curtain,” “An Harmless Man,” and “The Bridge.” His taking part in model introduced influences from traditional rock and blues traditions whereas adapting to Joel’s pop sensibilities and the band’s tight ensemble method. The guitar work by Brown channeled George Harrison influences, and he labored carefully with drummer Liberty DeVitto, who tried to emulate Ringo Starr’s method, creating Beatles-influenced dynamics inside Joel’s band construction.
All through the Eighties, Brown was a part of the core group that Joel retained as he made varied adjustments to his band lineup. For the 1989 album “Storm Entrance,” when Joel selected a brand new producer and began making extra important adjustments to the band, at this level, the one gamers that Joel saved, for each his touring band and for the recording of the album, have been Brown, Rivera, and DeVitto. This demonstrates the excessive regard Joel had for Brown’s musical contributions and his significance to the band’s sound throughout a interval of transition.
In August 2024, Liberty DeVitto introduced on his Fb that guitarist David Brown had handed away, marking the tip of an period for the traditional Joel band alumni. Brown’s guitar work stays an integral a part of Joel’s recorded legacy, and his contributions helped outline the sound of a number of the most commercially profitable and artistically acclaimed albums in fashionable music historical past. His demise represents a major loss for the prolonged Billy Joel musical household and for followers who appreciated his tasteful and efficient guitar work all through Joel’s traditional interval.
Mark Rivera
Mark Rivera joined Billy Joel’s band in 1982, changing Richie Cannata as the first saxophonist and changing into a long-term member who has remained with Joel for over 4 a long time. One essential addition to the band in 1982 was the alternative of his long-time saxophonist Richie Cannata with Mark Rivera. Rivera introduced his personal musical persona to the saxophone function whereas sustaining the excessive requirements and jazz-influenced method that had characterised Cannata’s contributions to the band.
Rivera’s saxophone work grew to become an integral a part of Joel’s sound from the Eighties onward, contributing to albums together with “The Nylon Curtain,” “An Harmless Man,” “The Bridge,” “Storm Entrance,” and “River of Desires.” His versatility as a multi-instrumentalist has made him invaluable past simply saxophone, as he additionally performs flute, harmonica, and percussion whereas offering backing vocals. This multi-instrumental method has allowed Rivera to adapt to the altering wants of Joel’s music and touring necessities over the a long time.
All through the varied lineup adjustments that occurred in Joel’s band throughout the late Eighties and early Nineteen Nineties, Rivera remained a relentless presence. For the 1989 album “Storm Entrance,” when Joel made important adjustments to his band, at this level, the one gamers that Joel saved, for each his touring band and for the recording of the album, have been Brown, Rivera, and DeVitto. This continuity demonstrates Rivera’s significance to Joel’s musical imaginative and prescient and his means to adapt to new musical instructions whereas sustaining the standard and professionalism that Joel demanded.
Rivera continues to be a core member of Billy Joel’s present touring band, collaborating in Joel’s ongoing month-to-month residency at Madison Sq. Backyard and different tour dates. His longevity with Joel surpasses that of most different band members, making him one of the vital enduring musical partnerships in Joel’s profession. His saxophone work has turn out to be synonymous with the stay Joel expertise for a number of generations of followers, and his professionalism and musical versatility have made him an indispensable a part of Joel’s ongoing musical legacy.
Mike DelGuidice
Mike DelGuidice joined Billy Joel’s band in 2013 as a multi-instrumentalist offering rhythm guitar and backing vocals, bringing a novel perspective as somebody who had spent years learning and performing Joel’s music as a tribute artist. In 2013, the Billy Joel Band was joined by multi-instrumentalist Mike DelGuidice on rhythm guitar and backing vocals. DelGuidice had beforehand fronted varied Billy Joel tribute tasks. His path to becoming a member of Joel’s official band started on Lengthy Island, the place DelGuidice additionally grew up and attended Miller Place Excessive College.
DelGuidice’s ardour for Joel’s music led him to kind a tribute band known as Huge Shot, named after Joel’s 1978 hit single. Regionally profitable, DelGuidice supported his household with Huge Shot, taking part in covers of songs from Joel’s huge, decades-spanning catalog. His bodily resemblance to Joel, together with their shared baldness, alongside along with his deep musical understanding of Joel’s repertoire, made him a pure match when a possibility arose to affix the official band.
DelGuidice’s addition to Joel’s band got here by a exceptional set of circumstances. In 2010, simply as he was dropping his persistence with the fixed hustle of touring along with his tribute band and caring for his household, DelGuidice heard Joel was sidelined from his personal touring schedule upon present process hip alternative surgical procedure. This led to DelGuidice auditioning for and becoming a member of Joel’s official band, transitioning from tribute artist to official band member in a approach that few musicians have skilled.
From there, DelGuidice went on the street with Joel for a run of dates in Europe earlier than changing into an official a part of the band for his debut gig for the historic Madison Sq. Backyard residency. “It was lots at first, however it’s a well-oiled machine,” he says. “It’s was fairly simple to slip onto the conveyor belt that’s operating so easily. And I feel that’s a testomony to how he runs his group. He’s beloved, so it’s a giant household.” DelGuidice continues to steadiness his function in Joel’s official band with performances of his tribute act, permitting him to expertise each the intimacy of smaller venues and the spectacle of main arenas and stadiums.
Chuck Burgi
Chuck Burgi joined Billy Joel’s band in 2006 as drummer, changing Liberty DeVitto after DeVitto’s 30-year tenure ended because of authorized disputes and private conflicts with Joel. For the 2006 tour, Joel didn’t invite DeVitto again as his drummer after the 2 grew to become concerned in a authorized dispute, and the drummer Chuck Burgi (who performed within the Broadway manufacturing of “Movin’ Out”) changed DeVitto. Burgi’s background in musical theater, significantly his work on the Billy Joel/Twyla Tharp Broadway manufacturing “Movin’ Out,” supplied him with intensive expertise performing Joel’s music in a stay setting.
Burgi’s transition to Joel’s touring band represented a major change for the group, as DeVitto had been such a long-standing and integral member of the group. Burgi’s drumming model and method needed to fill the appreciable sneakers left by DeVitto whereas adapting to the expectations and musical dynamics that Joel’s audiences had come to anticipate. His expertise with “Movin’ Out” proved invaluable in understanding the nuances and necessities of Joel’s music in a stay efficiency context.
Since becoming a member of Joel’s band, Burgi has turn out to be a steady and dependable member of the present lineup, collaborating in Joel’s varied excursions and his ongoing Madison Sq. Backyard residency. His drumming offers the rhythmic basis for Joel’s present stay performances, sustaining the vitality and drive that followers anticipate whereas bringing his personal musical persona to the function. Burgi’s professionalism and adaptableness have made him an efficient successor to DeVitto, permitting Joel’s stay performances to proceed on the excessive degree of high quality that has characterised his profession.
Burgi’s work with Joel represents the continuation of the band’s evolution, demonstrating how new members can efficiently combine into a longtime musical group whereas respecting the legacy and expectations that include performing such well-known and beloved music. His drumming continues to help Joel’s stay performances as they attain new audiences whereas satisfying longtime followers who’ve adopted Joel’s profession throughout a number of a long time.
Crystal Taliefero
Crystal Taliefero joined Billy Joel’s band in 1989 as a percussionist and multi-instrumentalist, changing into one of many few musicians to take care of a long-term affiliation with Joel by a number of lineup adjustments and musical transitions. He additionally added the percussionist and multi-instrumentalist Crystal Taliefero who would turn out to be a everlasting fixture in his band whereas Stegmeyer was changed by Schuyler Deale and Javors was changed by Joey Looking on the album and Tommy Byrnes for its accompanying tour. Taliefero’s addition got here throughout a interval of great change for Joel’s band, as he was exploring new musical instructions and dealing with completely different producers.
Taliefero’s versatility as a multi-instrumentalist has made her a useful addition to Joel’s band, able to dealing with percussion, keyboards, backing vocals, and different instrumental wants as they come up throughout performances and recordings. Her musical flexibility has allowed her to adapt to the varied stylistic adjustments that Joel has explored all through completely different intervals of his profession, from the extra rock-oriented materials of the late Eighties by his more moderen work.
All through the Nineteen Nineties and into the 2000s, Taliefero remained a constant presence in Joel’s touring band, demonstrating the loyalty and musical chemistry that Joel values in his collaborators. Her contributions lengthen past simply instrumental efficiency, as her backing vocals and stage presence have enhanced the general stay expertise for Joel’s audiences. The truth that she grew to become a “everlasting fixture” within the band speaks to her musical skills {and professional} reliability.
Taliefero continues to be a part of Joel’s present touring lineup, collaborating in his ongoing performances and sustaining the continuity that has characterised her tenure with the group. Her longevity with Joel represents one of many extra profitable long-term musical partnerships in his band’s historical past, and her contributions have helped bridge the hole between Joel’s traditional interval and his up to date touring displays. Her presence within the band demonstrates Joel’s appreciation for musicians who can develop and evolve along with his musical imaginative and prescient whereas sustaining constant high quality and professionalism.
David Rosenthal
David Rosenthal serves as keyboardist, pianist, organist, and musical director for Billy Joel’s present touring band, representing the continuation of Joel’s custom of working with completed keyboard gamers who can deal with each the technical and inventive calls for of his music. As musical director, Rosenthal is chargeable for coordinating the band’s performances, sustaining musical preparations, and guaranteeing that Joel’s stay displays meet the excessive requirements that audiences anticipate from one in all fashionable music’s most completed performers.
Rosenthal’s function as musical director entails not solely his personal keyboard and piano contributions but in addition overseeing the general musical coordination of the band throughout rehearsals and performances. This place requires intensive data of Joel’s catalog, understanding of his musical preferences, and the flexibility to speak successfully with different band members to take care of the tight ensemble taking part in that characterizes Joel’s stay exhibits. His background and expertise have ready him to deal with the complicated logistics of presenting Joel’s subtle musical preparations in stay settings.
The present Billy Joel band lineup, which incorporates Rosenthal as a key member, continues the custom of musical excellence that has characterised Joel’s profession whereas adapting to up to date touring calls for and viewers expectations. Rosenthal’s contributions assist make sure that traditional Joel songs are offered faithfully whereas permitting for the spontaneity and vitality that make stay performances particular. His musical director function additionally entails getting ready for the varied particular friends and distinctive conditions that come up throughout Joel’s excursions and residency performances.
Rosenthal’s work with Joel represents the continued evolution of the Billy Joel Band, demonstrating how new musicians can efficiently combine into a longtime musical legacy whereas bringing their very own experience and creativity to the function. His contributions as each performer and musical director assist preserve the continuity and high quality which have made Joel’s stay performances among the many hottest and enduring in fashionable music.
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