Why Billy Joel No Longer Takes A Helicopter To His Gigs At Madison Square Garden

After getting freaked out by some mid-air turbulence, rock ‘n roll legend Billy Joel rides the Long Island Railroad to his shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Stick around for more of Stephen’s interview with Billy Joel and tune in to watch the 100th show of his Madison Square Garden residency when it airs on CBS on April 14th.
#Colbert #BillyJoel #MadisonSquareGarden
Subscribe To "The Late Show" Channel: bit.ly/ColbertY...
Watch full episodes of "The Late Show": bit.ly/1Puei40
Listen to "The Late Show Pod Show" podcast: link.chtbl.com...
Like "The Late Show" on Facebook: on. 1df139Y
Follow "The Late Show" on X: bit.ly/1dMzZzG
Follow "The Late Show" on Instagram: bit.ly/29wfREj
Watch The Late Show with Stephen Colbert weeknights at 11:35 PM ET/10:35 PM CT. Only on CBS.
---
Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT, the #1 show in late night, where he talks with an eclectic mix of guests about what is new and relevant in the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, music, technology and more. Featuring bandleader Louis Cato and “THE LATE SHOW band,” the Peabody Award-winning and Emmy Award-nominated show is broadcast from the historic Ed Sullivan Theater. Stephen Colbert took over as host, executive producer and writer of THE LATE SHOW on Sept. 8, 2015.

[@StaciUnklesbay]

My BFF and I got one of those coveted front row seats to Billy Joel and Elton John years ago in Columbus, OH. The guy came up to us while in a line for food and asked to see our tickets. When we showed him, he said, 'Come with me.' And took us to the front row! Best experience ever!

[@df4196]

did you ever get the food?

[@carolmurphy4627]

What a fantastic thing he did with that. How wonderful that you got to experience that. Fantastic!

[@Purple1984Rain]

Hard to believe he is turning 75 in May. Like most of us I grew up with Billy’s music. He is one of the most prolific singer/songwriters of all time. 52nd Street from 1978 is my favourite album of his with classics like Honesty, My Life, Big Shot and Rosalinda’s Eyes.

[@rinazm8856]

Good album, but my favorite is Turnstiles: Angry Young Man (with that intro!), MIami 2017, New York State of Mind.

[@willritter4076]

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

[@betacall9634]

My fav album too. Would listen to 52nd Street on the carpet in our den in ‘78 when I was 10 yrs old. Just from the top of my memory there was Stiletto, Half a Mile Away, Zanzibar and Until the Night which is one of Billy’s best songs ever most people never heard. What a talent and blessing we’ve had for 50 yrs with Billy’s timeless music.

[@squanto2]

Yea. So many (ALL) of the musicians and bands of my youth are all so old. It's a little sad and melancholy.

[@ChadBest-ug8uo]

Turnstiles is a work of art. The compositions are amazing! @@rinazm8856

[@DinoNardelli]

Billy Joel is a national treasure.

[@ThatOpalGuy]

Is there a map to a Templar hoard tattooed on his back?

[@paintedpony2935]

Try an original thought. You might like it.

[@nachopouiller5427]

INTERnational treasure

[@cheri7054]

I saw Billy in the late 70's and loved him ever since. The album that was out was pure gold. He loved boxing on stage. Very cute. This was the day tickets in the upper levels cost under $50

[@ArtsAliveAmerica]

Bucknell University with only 1,000 people, close enough to jump on his grand piano. He wore black Chucks with his brown velvet tux and it cost only a menthol cigarette!

[@j.g.1178]

And running around in his sneakers...very energic show!!👍🏻

[@keve4253]

under $50 in the 70s? tickets were under $10 in the 70s

[@maurawhelan3530]

Wow! Brings the real fans to the front row! Now that is a great musician! Yay Billy Joel!

[@tayloreh]

as long as they're cute girls

[@ozvoyager]

Of course, he could also just lower ticket prices and make a million or so less.

[@squanto2]

I saw Paul McCartney a few years ago and an usher gave our group first row seats, instead of the nose bleed seats we bought. It was INSANE!!!

[@Elwaves2925]

@@ozvoyager That still wouldn't stop scalpers selling the front rows. Also, he doesn't decide the price, that's down to his management, promoters and the venue.

[@kiriakoz]

@@ozvoyager you're not smart, are you?

[@ChadBest-ug8uo]

This man is such a great storyteller. Detailed and engaging! His lyrics are a product of his storytelling!

[@alphajava761]

I love Billy Joel. I saw him once in the 90s and he was great personally, he had just as much fun as the audience. He was really funny joking around throughout the show. He's a real pro at live performance.

[@PhilSmithRHR]

I saw him in 1994 and he was by far the funniest rock/pop artist I have seen in terms of interaction with the audience.

[@BabyLambCreations]

It’s nice that Billy still looks back on touring with Elton John. Always enjoyed seeing those two talented piano-playing superstars perform together.

[@BrandonCroker]

The legendary piano man

[@MegsCarpentry-lovedogs]

Down to earth, sincere, tells it politely like it is. Appreciate this man that is for sure: :) Atlantic Canada chiming in.

[@willritter4076]

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

[@justarandomdude52]

@@willritter4076 I did that, and I did not regret it

[@willritter4076]

@@justarandomdude52 hey man i appreciate that!

[@CaliforniaBushman]

Billy is in great shape. Lost weight. Looks really good. Just released a song as good as any he's ever written. I feel like it's 1979 again with My Life playing on the radio on WPLJ.

[@jay-f1u4r]

Geez, check your tv. Sadly as I'm watching him I'm thinking life is cruel. His voice sounds as strong as ever though.

[@jt.8144]

Grateful to have been a kid in the 80's and growing up listening to Billy Joel "The Piano Man".

[@fts4608]

Loved that song

[@Pythone55]

Billy Joel is a National Treasure 💜

[@j.g.1178]

Billy Joel was my first concert in 1978...it was still one of the BEST concert experiences ever have in my life!! Thank you for being the music history of life! First time seen him interviewed... wonderful Stephen!!❤

[@NicoCrisafulli]

He was my first concert too! But in 1986. The Bridge tour. Just amazing.

[@marilyntkeller]

“If You’re having sex- and there’s no NOISE- You’re doin’ it WRONG!!!”😂🙋🏾‍♀️🤣👑👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🙌🏾🫶🏾

[@oliviageter5566]

He says he doesn't like the cameras.. He did VERY WELL in this interview. I like him not many do well being interviewed, he was relaxed, funny and charming. Great Job Mr Billy Joel.

[@deweymugyoo1707]

Well, he's delightful. I'd enjoy chatting with that man.

[@rachel_rexxx]

The man has a point

[@JokersNtheOddball]

me and my arrow

[@wingv313]

Billy said it, “If there’s no noise, you’re not doing it right” 😂😂 Legendary entertainer & funny as hell. 👍🏼

[@robinsdog1]

Once in a lifetime show at the Garden. He was the best, and it almost felt like a sing-along, although we tried not to.

[@celinadavies]

The whole interview is epic 😎 and yes he is a legend and classy as hell 👏 🥰🇨🇦

[@eileenh4772]

I am 64 I saw Billy Joel in 1980 before 52nd Street at Brockport College outside Rochester,NY. Great show still one of my favorites. ❤

[@Chris-pe8nc]

I saw Billy Joel when he performed for the American troops in Nuernberg, Germany. That was a a great concert from a generous performer.

[@francesinez126]

Was Mussolini there for the trials?

[@Seasidecc95437]

Handfuls of tickets to the real fans .. YES. I love you Billy Joel!

[@felixblitshteyn9506]

Nice to see the Piano Man! Thank you Billy Joel for a lifetime of great music!!!!🎉🎉🎉

[@roryregina]

Saw him 3 times in the early and mid 90's (Storm Front and River of Dreams). Best performer I've ever seen in concert, You could tell he was happy to be there, loved what he was doing, engaged with the audience, and really wanted to entertain the fans who had paid to come see him.

[@BlackGuardXIII]

I saw Storm Front. That was the second time I saw him. Both shows were spectacular.

[@JaceyMitchell]

I can't remember ever not being a Billy Joel fan. His music is so timeless and cross-generational.

[@SmolNoodles]

“i CoMpArE iT tO sEx” I died.

[@SmolNoodles]

@singingwind977 You gotta get some- *gets cut off* oR mOm aNd dAd aRe uPsTaIrS!!!!!

[@charlesbrown8555]

I love that Billy has kept the same band throughout the decades. Saw him three times, and hope to see him again.

[@ChangingTides777]

🤔

[@anncain2432]

I saw him perform in Houston in the late 70's....awesome performer and funny with lots of stories woven into the evening.

[@RicoCosta317]

He's not only a music legend, he's also pure comedy gold 😂

[@ThatOpalGuy]

Apparently he is a terrible person to be married to, as well.

[@theWZZA]

Wow, I couldn't stop laughing!

[@dreamspinner3mn]

Agreed

[@EmpyreanLightASMR]

I saw him in Denver and he's a riot. It's strange, the energy from the show comes from his between-song stories and jokes and then the pumped up light-show - because he himself is at his piano the whole time, so it's not like he's running around pumping everyone up. I remember the crowd around me took a little time to get warmed up too. But we got there in the end lol

[@sarahdrawz]

@@ThatOpalGuyyou probably are too with a comment like that😂

[@Steven_Williams_]

I wonder if Billy ever goes as Mike from Breaking Bad for Halloween.

[@alphajava761]

I saw that too.

[@barrycribbin6895]

Mr Joel deserves a knighthood. Sir Paul, Sir Mick, Sir Elton ... and arise Sir Billy! -- Barry in Melbourne, Australia ;--)

[@northerntraveller3815]

Gotta love this man!!!

[@Eddie-61864]

Billy Joel comparing his show front row sales to Elton John was very funny😂

[@46foryounger]

He’s adorable and loveable I have seen him in concert three times. Love him forever ❤

[@noreengirnis2233]

I'm so bummed. I never got to go.

[@anguslean4058]

I saw him twice On Long Island and Yankee stadium He is amazing live At the Nassau Coliseum show his encore was almost as long as the show. He is my favorite singer/songwriter writer / musician Incredible talent.

[@DeathDad]

Every time they call him MSG, I wonder if they’re putting Billy Joel in my Chinese food

[@daveydudely9954]

MSG = Madison Square Gardens

[@ThatOpalGuy]

Marjorie Saylor Greene

[@TheLemon333]

Yes...He knows.@@daveydudely9954 🤣😂

[@francesinez126]

Same. The first time Stephen used it, I though in bafflement, "Well, that went right over my head." It wasn't til Stephen later said the three words that I was like, "Oooh. I am so not hip."

[@TheLemon333]

Maybe you need more sodium?🤣@@francesinez126

[@janusconner3710]

The Elton anecdote though...

[@breezerlife4115]

God I love this man….I wish I could see him live before he retires. 😢

[@davidholguin2532]

Was not expecting that Elton John joke😂

[@Sam_on_YouTube]

He has such a typical Long Island face, nobody is going to notice him on the LIRR.

[@ELLIOT1311]

Such a legend

[@eleonoradini2371]

I live in a small town in Italy and, believe me, listening to his music in the seventies really changed my life

[@johnchase2112]

I saw Billy live at West Chester State College in Pennsylvania playing in an old gymnasium, I’m guessing it was around 1973-74

[@CaptainRonAhoy]

A beautiful soul, an epic catalog and a rewarding life.....warts and all......with love from one of your many fans....

[@Terryh681]

I was a very happy beneficiary of Billy bringing his true fans up front!

[@ReggieWhite15]

He is so real ❤️❤️❤️

[@jimmygarlon750]

Great music and fine wit.

[@cherylgrec9701]

Billy Joel is a treasure. Love this guy!❤

[@teresaalfano3879]

Billy Joel is SO amazing! Such a great songwriter and performer. the show at MSG is such a great experience - like one big sing along. Go if you haven't seen it!

[@comeconcon569]

I'm in a New York state of mind.

[@ejshelby5460]

One of the best experiences of a billy Joel show or live CD is the between song banter and jokes

[@jerrykessler2478]

I saw Billy with Stevie Nicks in Phoenix last December. It was a great show.

[@ncooty]

Such an endearing man.

[@maxtylersmusic]

Billy Joel is such a good interview

[@AudioSticks214]

Use to work with Dudsey at Clair, he's been Billy's sound man for a long time. Great people! 🥰

[@AC3handle]

Last time I saw him not on concert or such on tv, was when he went to Orange COunty Choppers, and had them do up a custom bike. One of the guys there tried putting a fancy tail light on the bike, but billy just smashed it off, said he wanted a CLASSIC bike.

[@petermueller7407]

Didn't know he is such a cuddly guy :)

[@Kloverkill]

His front-rows-for-fans move is total class.

[@kevinnelson66]

Billy has sort of turned into "The Godfather".

[@Axolotl_Mischief]

The Godfather of shtty piano rock music...

[@freya8133]

​@@Axolotl_MischiefWell, you're here watching this. You must be at least interested. BTW I like both Billy AND punk rock.

[@ScarsUnseen24]

you are deaf and ignore reality. oh well.@@Axolotl_Mischief

[@ianlawless7481]

My background is punk and metal, but I will never miss a chance to see this guy. First time I saw him he played four hours straight like a mad man and bloodied his knuckles up, come to find out that's just how he goes every night or just wont play. Respect!

[@sunbow26]

Billy, it was a pleasure to see you on Colbert. I'd have loved to see you irl. I've listened to you since my early years. I loved that the Colbert band welcomed you in with Scenes from an Italian Resturant"... one of my absolute faves. Much love to you!

[@trishrobbins9942]

I saw him perform in the early 70s in my college cafeteria in CT. When his band took a break, he stayed and played all the instruments.

[@edithzeeb7102]

I love the way he does the front row.

[@makelifematter1896]

❤❤loved this musician and artist but wow what an amazing humble beautiful song❤❤

[@dejaliloquy]

One of my all time favorites

[@damiancollins475]

Good wholesome family entertainment" his shows are fantastic , health and happiness to him and his family.

[@alexaales7937]

damn, i was hoping to catch the show at MSG before he quits! i was 12 when my much older brother introduced me to him, gave me all his vinyls, made a tape with all my favorites. as soon as CDs came about i bought every single album. my favorite to this day is his debut album 'Cold Spring Harbor' closely followed by 'The nylon curtain'. i will forever be grateful for the comfort he gave to me with his music!

[@valhoff3]

I’m so glad we got to see him at MSG before it all comes to an end.

[@BB--13118]

Had the pleasure of meeting him numerous times. Always pleasant to talk to

[@gregdahlen4375]

why'd you meet him?

[@adawil2002]

Have a friend who has attended over 85 of the Billy Joel MSG shows.

[@TimoBrown79]

Absolute LEGEND

[@jujubees711]

Omg, Billy takes the LIRR to his shows? The LIRR goes right into the Garden. That means we can run into him on the train on the way to one of his shows? How cool would that be?

[@SimbaRobyn]

Just another schmuck in traffic. That’s deep man! Ps: my friends & I were moved from the nosebleeds to the front at The Garden! Literally front row! 🤘🏼 🎹

[@CorinnaDanielsson]

Hope he comes back to germany again❤

[@lauragroce3816]

Billy was always a hoot! 😍

[@Nagroddy]

I heard one of Billy Joels early radio interviews in about 1976 just after his forth album, Turnstiles, came out and it appears that his core personality other than perhaps becoming a bit mellow, has not changed. To me that is a good thing!

[@francesinez126]

"Piano Man" was my high school go-to album. "The Stranger" was college. I appreciated Louis' "Bottle of red. Bottle of white..." intro.

[@andreitorres5503]

And that’s how you get Billy Joel’s number 😊

[@alicemendoza8108]

Love him.......

[@JuliePayne]

Love him ❤

[@DPB1947]

Billy Joel's recounting of the ride home in the car after the show as just another shlub in traffic sounds a lot like Joe Walsh's description. In an interview one day with Stern, Walsh described a similar experience. One minute you're on the stage and you're God and women are throwing their underwear onto the stage for you, and then in the next minute, after the show, your whisked away in a limousine to a shitty hotel room where you're flicking around cable stations with the TV remote in the dark. Wow. Quite the transition. I'm glad I'm just a schlub and don't have to deal with that!

[@cherylsibson2529]

The silence of the EV car vs the helicopter.

[@Mgh-r]

❤❤❤❤❤😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 hey dear stevey and all u welcome back ❤❤❤❤❤❤ thank youuuuuu all , exactly Madison Square 😂😂😂😂😂

[@susangillette7317]

We saw him in Phoenix, it was amazing

[@jewelqueen5949]

If the MTA wants increased ridership, advertise Billy Joel's line. I've been privy to so MANY late night drunken Piano Man singalongs for free. 🤣🤣🤣 IMAGINE the man himself!!!

[@karitahannikainen4734]

MSG THE BEST..CN MANY..THANX BJ FOR BEING YOU!!❤🌝

[@kellykonoske91]

love to see his motorcycle collection!

[@commonsense571]

My very first valentine gave me cold spring harbor on vinyl. I was in third grade. I think damn. That kid knew what the hell he was doing way before his time 😁 I love Billy so much and have seen him in concert three or four times. I WISH I could see him again and hope I do. I’m disabled now but hope I get a chance after I get my service dog. It is a dream. 🩷”Everybody has a dream. “🩷

[@hal2470]

Me too, never seen an interview. Love the music but he's so down to earth. Would love to see him perform. Like Springsteen

[@jasongoad1084]

He was great in Breaking Bad as Mike!

[@joelfan1]

Great interview! I feel better now that I know I'm doing it right. Lots of noise. LOL🙃🙂

[@lauragroce3816]

He was a doll with his long fro

[@M_J_nan]

Listen to Tommy Johansson's cover of his "Downeaster Alexa". Beautiful. It would make him proud.

[@ziggystardust8235]

I wish somebody shouted "Root Beer Rag!" :D

[@jojoo9549]

Awww my baby

[@laurieleannie]

I would personally love an instrumental album from Billy Joel!

[@dceplay]

Check out his classical 2000 or so album, Fantasies & Delusions.

[@laurieleannie]

@@dceplay thank you, I will!

[@tayloreh]

When I came from Canada to see him, I deliberately bought back of the garden tickets - well, the cheapest ones anyways (and still scary for me as a musician to afford). They were technically behind the stage, but still with a good irl view and a video screen for us. I saw a roadie and asked him outright if I could get a seat near the front and he said 'No'. I was quite crestfallen. And yeah, it seemed to me it was just cute girls at the front - glad he admits the sexism of it all here. But still, as a musician and a lifelong fan, it was great to see him from where I was - it kind of felt like I was on stage with him, watching from behind the stage like that. His vocal tone is exactly as rich as it was 30 years ago, not thinned by age - and his range - he was still hitting the big notes in 'An Innocent Man' even. I hope to see him again - when I listen to him now, I realize how profound an effect he's had on my life - from singing the songs with my mom in the car, to first starting to songwrite - inspired by him and Elton.

[@DanielSon69]

Saw his September 2023 show at MSG, he had just gotten over Covid apparently. He warned the audience that given his age and recent illness, he might not sound too great on his next song…which turned out to be An Innocent Man. He absolutely nailed it. As did I 😊, with my 9 year old son singing along beside me, already a pretty big Joel fan himself 🥰. His fave song is We Didn’t Start The Fire.

[@harper7509]

He's gonna give it back too. 😂