Billy Joel completed his residency at Madison Square Garden after 150 concerts
26 july 2024 в 23:28
For a long time, Madison Square Garden was like a home for one pianist.
But after his 150th performance at the iconic New York venue on Thursday night, Billy Joel concluded his residency almost 50 years after his first performance at the Garden and over 10 years since the beginning, MSG reports. His first performance there took place on December 14, 1978.
Joel, 75, began his decade-long residency in 2014, agreeing to play one show a month «until demand stops».
«Demand never stopped», - said his agent Dennis Arfa in a phone interview.
So, an end was chosen: his 150th performance in total. In total, over the course of the residency, more than $ 260 million was earned, and attendance approached two million, according to Pollstar.
Joel kept this promise and broke his own record for «longest performance by any artist» at his 13th show at MSG, the venue reported, in January 2015. This moment was immortalized in Garden history with a banner in the rafters.
He broke another record — «most performances by any artist in a lifetime» — in July after his 65th lifetime performance, MSG reported. Another banner was raised above MSG in his honor.
During his time at MSG, he was joined on stage by many unexpected guests, including Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Tony Bennett, Paul Simon, Olivia Rodrigo, Bon Jovi, John Mayer, Miley Cyrus, and others.
The show included a performance by Jimmy Fallon, who paid tribute to the iconic singer as the banner marking the 150th concert was raised above the stage. («You've given us all wonderful memories of being here», - he said. «We can really see you living in memory».)
Unexpected performer, Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose, entered in a black sequined jacket while singing his band’s song «Live and Let Die» and a cover of AC/DC's «Highway to Hell» he returned for the finale, joining Joel in «You May Be Right».
During his «legendary residency», - over 1.9 million tickets were sold to fans from all 50 states in the US and over 120 countries, MSG reported
But after his 150th performance at the iconic New York venue on Thursday night, Billy Joel concluded his residency almost 50 years after his first performance at the Garden and over 10 years since the beginning, MSG reports. His first performance there took place on December 14, 1978.
Joel, 75, began his decade-long residency in 2014, agreeing to play one show a month «until demand stops».
«Demand never stopped», - said his agent Dennis Arfa in a phone interview.
So, an end was chosen: his 150th performance in total. In total, over the course of the residency, more than $ 260 million was earned, and attendance approached two million, according to Pollstar.
Joel kept this promise and broke his own record for «longest performance by any artist» at his 13th show at MSG, the venue reported, in January 2015. This moment was immortalized in Garden history with a banner in the rafters.
He broke another record — «most performances by any artist in a lifetime» — in July after his 65th lifetime performance, MSG reported. Another banner was raised above MSG in his honor.
During his time at MSG, he was joined on stage by many unexpected guests, including Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Tony Bennett, Paul Simon, Olivia Rodrigo, Bon Jovi, John Mayer, Miley Cyrus, and others.
The show included a performance by Jimmy Fallon, who paid tribute to the iconic singer as the banner marking the 150th concert was raised above the stage. («You've given us all wonderful memories of being here», - he said. «We can really see you living in memory».)
Unexpected performer, Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose, entered in a black sequined jacket while singing his band’s song «Live and Let Die» and a cover of AC/DC's «Highway to Hell» he returned for the finale, joining Joel in «You May Be Right».
During his «legendary residency», - over 1.9 million tickets were sold to fans from all 50 states in the US and over 120 countries, MSG reported
© Artemenko Olga
