Billy Joel Live Front Row - Madison Square Garden, November 22, 2023 (Show #96)

It’s on rare occasion that one is at the right place at the right time. On November 22, 2023, my family and I were fortunate enough to be in that place,...just at the right time.
When Billy Joel announced he was ending his residency at Madison Square Garden, my wife, a lifelong Billy Joel fan said, “We have to go see him, just one more time.” My wife and I had seen Billy several times before, but this time I wanted to make it special and bring our two teenage daughters who had previously not come to a show so my wife could experience Billy with her daughters and all of us together as a family.
We left on time but struggled through Lincoln Tunnel then NYC traffic and I was concerned we’d get to the show just on time. When we arrived at MSG the lines were long to get in but I found a special entrance and hurried us through those doors. Next we were in the concession area moving towards our section when a gentleman approached us saying “Hi!”, extending his hand to my wife for a handshake. My wife looked at him, asking herself “Do I know this person?”, then quickly pulled her hand back when her brain told her she didn’t know him. He smiled and said “Are you all big Billy Joel fans?” We then noticed his Billy Joel attire and credentials any my wife put her hands on her face and said “Yes, we’re lifelong fans!” He said “How’d you like to see Billy from the front row???”
We were all suddenly shaking and said “yes” and moments later this fine gentleman handed us 4 front row tickets to the show. The only thing he said was when the camera came by, make sure we "smiled and cheered."
So we were in the right place, just at the right time…
It’s a well-known fact that Billy Joel does not sell seats for the first few rows of his concerts, preferring instead to distribute them to "real fans" who have bought cheaper tickets. He has repeatedly outlined a long-standing policy of preferring to hold seats in the first few rows of his concerts and give them to ardent fans, rather than selling them to what he has presented as wealthy and disinterested socialites.
We were BEYOND thrilled to get this ticket upgrade and when that fine gentleman passed through our seats just moments before the show began, he and I made eye contact and I extended my hand for a heartfelt handshake thanking him for what he did as I knew this experience was going to be a once in a lifetime experience for my wife, daughters and I, and I couldn’t be more thankful.
As an avid multimedia buff, my next thought was to pull out my iPhone and record some of the show so I could remember it the rest of my life. A minute or so later, Randy Newman's The End Title began playing (the song Billy always uses just before the show begins), Billy's longtime stagehand walked out and placed a steaming cup of coffee on the piano, the music got louder, the lights went down, and BIlly walked out. I didn't capture the whole show, but please enjoy what I did capture, it's something I will never forget!
And THANK YOU ‪@billyjoel‬ , for offering these seats to your fans, what an incredible gesture, something us fans will never forget….
#billyjoel #msg #madisonsquaregarden #concert #concerts #joel #thegarden
0:00 Preshow
0:29 Randy Newman's The End Title
3:00 Here's Billy!
3:35 Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)
8:34 My Life
11:55 Everybody Loves You Now
13:03 The Downeaster "Alexa"
16:45 Zanzibar
21:31 Start Me Up
23:29 An Innocent Man
29:16 The Lion Sleeps Tonight
29:56 Barbara Ann
30:39 The Longest Time
34:12 The Entertainer
36:48 Don't Ask Me Why
39:35 Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
42:54 Where Did Our Love Go
43:47 Stop! In the Name of Love
44:26 Dazed and Confused
45:26 Good Times Bad Times
47:21 Allentown
51:00 New York State of Mind
58:17 Only the Good Die Young
1:02:49 The River of Dreams
1:08:16 Piano Man
1:14:35 We Didn't Start the Fire
1:17:40 Uptown Girl
1:20:56 It's Still Rock and Roll to Me
1:24:36 Big Shot
1:29:09 You May Be Right

[@digimont]

I was 12 years old (1979) and attending a summer school for kids interested in computers in Adelaide, South Australia. "Kids, come to the auditorium, he have something for you". "This man is performing tonight at the Bridgeway Hotel and he wants to warm up". Out walks Billy Joel. Eight kids, 2 teachers, microphone only, just him without instrumentation. Three songs (Piano Man, Honesty, Just the Way You Are). Best 15 minutes of my life. He noticed me...I was the one singing along.

[@kakou2003]

Wow. What an experience.

[@glasshalffull8471]

I saw him in Perth, must have been around the same time, my mum got into his music pretty early on so we had all the albums, ended up seeing him twice, he's right up there with the GOAT'S imo, I prefer him to Springsteen.

[@user-is4ci2bl2f]

Well no such experience for me. Never heard of Billy till I/we had an old boys reunion. My old school buddies, wives met on a Spanish island. We had wine and sing evening and Ian Cameron, living in Toronto, introduced me to "the piano man"

[@sandysouthward3635]

Wow!! Thank you for sharing your story!! I had a tear in my eye just for you!!

[@susanscottfarrell3713]

Wow.... My best years in a nutshell.... Fantastic.

[@christineyetman640]

How could you ever pick a favorite song from this legend...Love from Canada Mr Billy Joel...have been a fan for many yeras

[@JJOddo]

Mike, congratulations to you, your wife and daughters for being the beneficiaries of this well-known practice of Billy Joel. My wife and I saw him at his April 2023 residency at MSG and it was an amazing experience. You really captured the feeling of what it is like to experience his concert from a front-row perspective. Thank you for the video.

[@jakesternberg188]

I attended this concert with my family while we were in New York for thanksgiving. My favorite part was when he began “We Didn’t Start The Fire.” My parents were impressed that I had memorized almost all the lyrics.

[@kats8903]

On January 24, 2024, I will be lucky enough to meet Billy in Tokyo. I'm really looking forward to it now!

[@eejzhang3790]

So I am. And will fly to Tokyo from China next wednesday，can't waiting see the forever piano man

[@madman8535]

how was it?

[@eejzhang3790]

@@madman8535 no regret at all😃

[@CZed-uq4on]

Fantastic...no more words to add :) Greetings from Germany, Nuremberg.

[@carmelaszymanski8232]

This WONDERFUL GENTLEMAN HAS BEEN THROUGH MANY STRUGGLES.. AND NEVER FORGOT ABOUT THEM..AND STILL SHOWS APPRECIATION FOR HIS D FANS..LIKE ME ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@fordcougar99]

Amazing story, what an great experience. I grew up outside of Allentown, so Billy Joel always has held a special place in my heart.

[@StarCityAudits]

What a setlist ! I've been listening to this mf'er since 1977 ! Billy Joel ROCKS !

[@AudioFileZ]

I saw Billy with his pretty much original band on The Stranger tour. That couldn't be eclipsed, but would have wanted to see him again yet never have. After Glass Houses I kind of never connected quite as much. Still, the man brought us some more good music through the years and many great live performances. So glad to see him once again taking to MSG and bringing it. The state of the music, at least for me, today makes this stuff all the more treasured. Great post. Billy is a music giant up there with the top ten rock musicians of all time.

[@shaunbat5097]

He's brilliant, love his music.

[@carmelaszymanski8232]

A DEDICATED SERVER FOR THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE HIM AND FOLLOWED HIM THROUGH HIS JOURNEY.. I ADORE THIS SONG MAN AND ALL THAT HE HAS GIVEN US.. I LOVE YOU MR.BILLY JOEL.. AND PLEASE THANK YOU MOTHERS SPIRIT ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@williammartinjoel1]

What a wonderful story and thank you for making this recording and for sharing. ❤

[@JTRocks4Ever]

Thank you for uploading the concert! Billy is a National Treasure! I'm a fan since my 20s (68 now)...and a Long Islander via Queens and now a resident of Suffolk County for almost 18 yrs...I identify with Billy's lyrics. The man is a legend!

[@tinmak9751]

Almost 30 years ago I was at Billy's concert in Moscow. The audience was mad, Billy was great, and it's "Still Rock-and-roll to me". ❤ Forget all the crap politicians are saying: we are friends, not enemies! Greetings from Moscow!❤

[@PeterFreemantennis]

beautiful thanks for your message!!!

[@lexotan05]

I've got very good feeling after your comment. I thank you from Japan.

[@shaunbat5097]

Da, what a Great concert you could see the love and enjoyment in that audience.

[@reverendrickibiza8467]

Fk the politicians ....you are my brother 🙏

[@milesian1]

Absolutely! We shall not be divided by those who profit from our division.

[@artisforusall]

What a WONDERFUL PERSON you are to share such good fortune with all of us, bless you thank you so much!!!!!!! I have never been able to see him live, and I never will so this is a treat

[@glasshalffull8471]

I saw him live in Perth, Australia on 2 different tours late 70s, he must have toured alot at that point, his band we're awesome back then, I put his concert just below ABBA on my musical highlight list, ABBA only ever did around 100 concerts ever worldwide so to see them(actually Agnetha, I dont recall seeing the others much) is still my outstanding concert event.

[@spasiba12345]

That is one supremely talented band he's got there.

[@mikestevenson576]

Mike, thank you so much for the story. I'd heard he does this but it was so much fun to read first hand details of how the approach took place.

[@kskisser]

The greatest singer/songwriter of our generation. He is still solid after all these years. Will be sad to see him quit performing.

[@laurastone6578]

He’s bored and has a ton of money.

[@cranez006]

"So I think I'll put out another song!"@@laurastone6578

[@Jpoy213]

I got had the pleasure to see Billy and Elton together in Tampa in the late 90s what a performance ❤

[@terencebarrett2897]

Absolutely xxxx amazing"" here i am on a raining north east UK housing estate watching from my bedroom" the audience" the american people ,my idol" the master world superstar Billy Joel, God bless everybody" love peace and goodwill to everyone,,🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹god bless you

[@OutInLeftField2]

I’ve seen Billy Joel several times (twice with Elton John), and never seen him NOT play Scenes From an Italian Restaurant…but thank you so much for posting this!!!

[@jdenino6022]

Wow you can see the floor moving up and down. Great concert.

[@chefcook6076]

SOOOO COOOOL THE MUSIC OF THE NATURAL BUT OF COURSE

[@lisapoore4156]

Iam afan of billyjoels too i love his songs as well

[@alhi6240]

BILLY is the best New York state of mind

[@jenjay0167]

So blessed to have been in the audience at this concert! First time see him in concert and it was worth every penny! Thank you for allowing me to relive my memories!,😁

[@annettelobello-doran3859]

At 74 yrs old he is amazing. Just as great as ever. Best of the best. You’re so generous to downloading this for all of us big fans.

[@dennis4k]

Incredible! I will get to see Billy live for the first time in Wales in August. Can't wait!!

[@lorrainemoore4705]

I got to see him at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin Ireland 🇮🇪 in 2018, he was amazing Genius and Legend

[@davemsn1]

Mike, thanks so much for sharing this! Absolutely amazing. It wasn't two days ago that I saw an interview with Billy from years ago talking about how he gave away front row seats. Made better by being able to share the experience with your family. There's nothing better. Appreciate the post.

[@jeffreytemkin818]

If you notice before the show , they show the front rows. If you notice, they are all women and they are all hot. Even their mothers are hot.

[@shawnporter3478]

One of the best songs of all time. Beautiful lyrics

[@stephenkodiak9541]

I was born in 1965 , I grew up with the classicics , my favorite is Led Ledzeplin but I love me some Billy Joel . We love him in upstate New York

[@srtjhsrzdfhkgdf9961]

観られてよかったです！ありがとうございます！

[@comeconcon569]

Musicians love music more than anything else in life. they were just meant for this.

[@user-nd6du8cz6y]

1月24日東京ドームでビリーさんの一夜限りのショーを堪能しました。 これが最後の来日になるかもしれないと、彼の歌声、ピアノ、一挙手一投足に注目していました。 会場におられる方皆さん同じ思いで、ビリーさんも日本のファンに感謝を込めてピアノを弾き歌ってくれました。とても温かい貴重な時間を共有させていただきました。ビリーさんのファンで良かった、本当に良かった、ビリーさん貴方は本当にオンリーワンな方です。できればまた来て欲しいです。あの魔法のような時間をまたいただきたいです。

[@CoventGardenSinger]

Billy is in fine voice . The band are super tight too. Really great sound quality. Plus a fantastic setlist. ❤️❤️❤️👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@roadkill_666]

Legend. Going to be a sad day when he announces no more performances. And I won't blame him at all.

[@viking956]

This is one of the best "fan cam" concert videos I've seen. Thank you so much for uploading.

[@mskvarenina]

Thank you. I think I said it earlier but I like to record things as it helps me remember and relive them again when I play them back in the future. So I started out with that pan of the stadium then when the final pre show song started I began recording again and I really wanted to capture the thrill of when the lights go down and Billy walks out. Then I was thinking I’d only grab a minute or two from each song just to remember. But at the end of the night it seems I captured a lot, much more than I was planning and some of the video was so good when the other musicians came to the from that I figured I’d drop it into iMovie and create this video. Had no idea it was get to 33k views (as if today, when I posted this comment) but I guess the fans are enjoying it. It really does give a nice perspective of what it’s like to see the show from up front.

[@markanderson4794]

No doubt. Incredible filming. Great job

[@Mr21scott]

No it's not. You can't even see half the band or the singers all at the same time. All you see is him and close ups. And frankly, why even go if you're just going to hold your phone up and record the whole thing and not even experience it.

[@wndowpayne]

@@Mr21scott plenty of band shots in there,,can you name Billys bass player?? I think it gives a great feeling of the vibe,,and the ladies up front seemed to be enjoying instead of being lumps of coal..Merry Christmas

[@seanscanlon9067]

@@mskvarenina Your daughter sitting next to your wife reminds me a bit of a young Alexa Ray Joel.

[@JBRSTTDB]

That's a great story. I love Billy. He's a true legend. Glad you had a great time.

[@robinchaconpiza6783]

Thank you for taking the time to record and share. The audio/video quality is very good. Greetings from Mexico City. :)

[@willritter4076]

I'd be honored if some Billy Joel fans would take a quick listen to my acoustic piano & vocal performances of his classics HONESTY and VIENNA on my YT in tribute to the master of lyricism & composition. Live acoustic with no autotune or digital editing. Peace & stay safe.

[@hushpup]

Great camera work - thanks for sharing this😃😃🥰

[@user-il4kd6tf3r]

Great Video, glad he gave the tickets to you. He couldn’t have chosen a better guy and his family to give them to . Your video is appreciated. Memories for a lifetime.

[@raphaeldechichi7501]

It’s on rare occasion that one is at the right place at the right time. On November 22, 2023, my family and I were fortunate enough to be in that place,...just at the right time. Thank you so much for uploading.

[@88_AC]

Thank you.💙

[@maradonatotti5142]

I miss 80’s Billy Joel. And I’m looking forward for a brand new single in February!!

[@c5d53g2e]

Thank you for posting this Mike. Love you brother.

[@user-eg8rx3xj2g]

包み込むような包容力が有るビリージョエルさんの楽曲は、大好きデス❤️80年代の頃から聴いてます。いつ聴いても斬新な音色は色褪せることはない！素晴らしいシンガーソングライターさん٩(๑❛ᴗ❛๑)۶💖💖💖✨✨✨

[@VMsmith44]

Saw soo..many of Billy's concerts & he just gets better with time❤ A-MAZ-ING 👏👏👏👏

[@glassonion7582]

Billy Joel Legend they don't make them like that anymore his music will live forever !

[@bricago2302]

Thank you for posting this! ❤

[@DBLVIDS]

The MSG shows exhibit why Billy is our Beatle and really helped us all feel the power of music in a very special way. Love the Natural theme as walkup music. What a band, what a night, what a show, what a crowd, what a city, what a love affair with said city. OUTSTANDING.

[@seattlescofflaws]

Thanks for sharing your story and video 😀 Happy for you and your family.

[@stilrokkin34]

Screw all the numbnuts complaining. People can be so ignorant. I loved your post. The chancce of me sitting in the front row at msg for a Billy concert is slim to none, and slim already left Michigan without me. Thank you.

[@robm4280]

Thank you for doing a fantastic job filming. To see him up so close wow, and he sounds as good as ever, incredible. Loved every minute of it. Thanks again.

[@Sebastian-lv4uf]

Awesome story! Congrats on the seats. Definitely a pipe dream to see him from the front row. Although section 111 was awesome!!!

[@jimwest4744]

Still sounds and performs great

[@annettelobello-doran3859]

Thank you SO MUCH for sharing such a special memory for you. I’ve been listening to this phenomenal man since the early 70’s! Best decade of music! My 20’s! I live in New Jersey and only half hour from the City. Finally got to see him when he had a concert with Elton John at Madison Garden. So so great. You are so generous sharing this concert for those who can’t be there!!

[@user-zl5qo7eg7i]

I want to listen to Billy Joel's music in his home country of America. Especially Miami2017!

[@michaeljones9316]

That is one awesome story (in description) man. I havent even watched this yet and well worth the stop by!! Thanks for recording, posting, etc.

[@solomon3678]

one of the best entertainers of all times....i wish i would have been there... i have complete respect for billy joel. his band members very professional as well. great concert

[@johncorners2594]

I've seen him 5 times....in his younger days.... brilliant as ever....but sorry to see him slowing down here...Trust me I GET IT...completely... great to hear the tunes coming from a master!

[@roadkill_666]

Oh man, I just read your description of how you got to the front row. I had heard Billy does this. That's so goddamn awesome. Meanwhile I was thinking, "damn how much did they pay for those seats" .... Really awesome. Hope your family absolutely loved it and seems like they did. Very jealous

[@adamdachman]

Wow, just wow...what a story. The feelings that night had to be indescribable and this video is amazing. We were there in August and it was just, well...tears. Lifelong fans. Mike, I am so happy for you. Once upon a time I had this happen at Elton John and Billy Joel together in Madison, WI. I was in the front row by a total accident of fate. I still carried a non-video cell phone back then. So happy you have shared this with the world. Your story included with the video makes all the difference in how special this is. Congratulations, best wishes and may all your days be filled with music.

[@liuzquiroga4184]

CONGRATULATIONS for the seats. Fabulous show! Your video is amazing. ❤

[@PostUp_Time]

*short show. thanks uploading and recording. great seat*

[@asgeirel]

my dad and me love Billy, what a video, thx ever so much, i cried many times, what an performance, all the best from Iceland.

[@user-pb6ix9mg6m]

Thank you very much for sharing. Amazing perfomance. Thank you. From Seoul, Korea

[@TheBennedy85]

Thank you for this footage! I'll never be so lucky to see Billy in concert, even though I am his second biggest fan so thank you for this footage.

[@user-qf8yi2cd7n]

Billy Joel, the legend multi awarded talent greatest hits of all time immortal song forever favorite love and peace ✌️😇✌️

[@marianagalvez4503]

Me encanta tu música Billy..desde bebé mi mamá la ponía y ahora es mi preferida...en casa la pongo y bailo y canto solita...me encanta...

[@deannathethriftycorgi1581]

That was awesome... Looking forward to seeing Billy again in Denver, July 12. (will be 2nd time seeing him with my son and neice, who are also a big fans) I first saw him when I was 19 on the Storm Front tour, still such a great entertainer.

[@msdecker11]

wow thanks for sharing. He's been my fav since 1984

[@manhattan9219]

Thanks for this friend! I also had a lucky night at a Billy Joel MSG Concert, but I sure didn't end up with front row seats quite like yours. Rather I took the cheap seats behind the stage and got pretty close to the action that way for a Autumn 2017 concert. Nobody expected that Miley Cyrus would walk-on and sing for half an hour and the crowd went crazy when she did. What a bonus that was! And then later on comes Paul Simon with his guitar and played and sang his heart out too. Towards the end of the program, both came out together and did an ending with Billy Joel , before he finished solo. What a treat, three concerts in one and a great memory. There's a bit of video of that on my channel, ciao.

[@digidrum2003]

I am a life long Joel fan and my 21 year old daughter is also....i wish i could take her to a show......things have been not so good for us lately. Great video btw.

[@ninjabluewings]

Billy Joel = PURE GENIUS!! "An Innocent Man" is his finest work, A MASTER PIECE!! in it's purest form, the lyrics are my life story

[@philipcroft9857]

Back in 78 this song came on the radio "My Life" over here in England. I was 15yr old and remember thinking "wow who's this Man" well been a fan of him and his great music ever since!! Great video thanks.

[@andreat3627]

Thank you so much for sharing this! I’ve seen Billy three times but not like this!!!!😊

[@26021807]

Thank you so much for sharing!!!

[@PeterFreemantennis]

there will never be another Billy Joel

[@eredison8584]

We saw Billy at Hyde Park UK,the band,the sound, Everything was superb.We couldn't miss this chance of a lifetime.

[@uploadingjoy9120]

At his age, he could easily just phone it in but he's giving 100% and still sounds great and hits the notes.

[@donbonser]

Thank you so much for sharing this!

[@greenrosetv]

very cool... I'm going next Thursday.

[@anniecrestani1121]

Thankyou for this so clear he still has it his voice is fantastic and his band baci x

[@StarwoodTech]

It's the same opening sequence he used when I saw him last in Toronto in 2000. Amazing. He loves the baseball theme openings.

[@Synchronicety]

Billy Joel is such an amazing human and piano man 🥰🥀☘

[@ExtremePainGames]

Love the Equinox logo baby. Amazing Jarre album. His best work to be fare.

[@jorgfroscher5916]

Still one of the greatest musician and entertainer of all times. Saw him the first time 1974 in Stuttgart, Germany in a small place. I will never forget.

[@raylord8900]

We're travelling from the UK for a trip to NY. I'm going with the wife for our wedding anniversary on Feb 9th next year. She doesn't know that I've bought tickets. I just hope the gig is as good as this. Like you seen him numerous times but don't think we'll ever be as lucky to get those seats

[@Jalleur14325]

A lovely way to celebrate 🎉❤

[@raylord8900]

The funny thing is that he's just announced he's doing one European gig in 2024 next year Guess what it's only 10 miles from where we live in Cardiff Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 He's never played in Wales, which happens to be the birthplace of Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, amongst others. Tickets on sale next week so hopefully I'll be able to see him again this time with my children with us.

[@berndkaltenborn123]

Thanks Mike 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@melissadeckelbaum7934]

It was 1994 River of dreams tour for me and my best friend. Back then, no internet, no cell phones, only word of mouth "rumor" that Billy Joel moves fans down from the nose bleeds. We were sitting in the dead last row near the ceiling when a man approached us and said "Is it just you two ladies tonight?". I can still hear him in my head 30years later. We were moved right to the second row and it was the best experience of my life. (next to my kids being born of course!) No cameras, no cell phones, just great memories. Here we are 30 years later, I live in Florida since 1995, but have seen Billy Joel a total of 22 times. i am coming to MSG for his last show, with that same best friend, and we keep hoping it will happen again. I was thinking my friend and I are too old to get picked for the front row now, but reading your story gives me hope!

[@KeefsCattys]

Brilliant live. Wish his new song was written by him . Hopefully a new album will give us some new classics

[@IThinkYouLookLarvely]

My go-to playlist on KZbin music is Billy at Sigma Studios in 1972, fantastic sound. It's great to see him still sounding this great 51 years later!

[@margaretschaffner9133]

WoWWW. Thank you!

[@barryhamilton3112]

Man, Billy’s voice is as strong as ever!!

[@PaulyinParis619]

Billy Joel is my childhood…

[@kaylaf.2707]

I was at this show!

[@conniebangham82]

Thanks for sharing.