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TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty ImagesNew York is in a Billy Joel state of mind today, as the Piano Man prepares to play his 100th concert at the famed New York City venue Madison Square Garden. In recognition of the career milestone, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has proclaimed July 18 to be Billy Joel Day in the state.
According to Newsday.com, a press conference was held today at Madison Square Garden that was attended by Joel and Cuomo. In celebration of Billy’s 100th show, which also is the 54th performance of his ongoing residency at the venue, a Steinway piano belonging to Joel — accompanied by a special plaque — has been put on display in a plexiglass case at the arena’s main entrance.
The Billy Joel Day proclamation describes Joel as “one of the most iconic and influential figures in American music history,” adding that he “has had an immeasurable impact on the entertainment industry as a singer-songwriter and performer during an extraordinary, accomplished career spanning nearly half a century.”
The proclamation also states that “Billy’s achievements and influence have continued throughout a long, successful touring career highlighted by decades of sold-out shows across the globe and countless milestones along the way.” Joel’s 100 concerts and 54 consecutive performances at Madison Square Garden, of course, are both records for the venue.
At the press conference, Joel thanked the more than 2 million people who have attended his concerts at MSG since he played his first show there in December 1978.
“My cup runneth over,” he declared at the event. “I couldn’t think of a better way of peaking in my life other than this.”
Joel’s Garden residency currently extends through a December 19 concert, which will be his 105th show overall at the venue.
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