Vanderbilt Student Requests Playing For BILLY JOEL The Music And Song Incredible!

[@skipdow3]

I think when Billy Joel claps at your piano playing ability, you have been acknowledged by one of the very best.

[@hawnma8083]

Billy Joel is a class act. Musician at his finest and giving Michael an opportunity to display his talent. What a gift. Memorable moment to appreciate two fine musicians. Michael definitely has soul to play the way he does. Any real singer would appreciate. Billy’s voice just gets better with time. Bravo!

[@tankmaster1018]

Ive been playing piano for 21 years. I literally almost stood up and applauded when Billie Joel asked what key it was going to be in and that guy responded "What key do you want it in?" Thats fucking TALENT man! I wish I could buy this kid a beer...

[@Jesse-cx4si]

*Billy

[@NYR11949]

​@Jesse-cx4si Thank you for the correction and clarification. Nobody knew who or what he meant.

[@unitywindowdoor2260]

@@NYR11949 *New , *Mint

[@Hobodeluxe007]

transpose on the fly is difficult. we had a piano player in church who could do that. She was great. Not your normal church piano lady. She could play anything.

[@conniecartisano6649]

A once-in-a-lifetime moment. Thank you Billy Joel for saying yes, and giving it to him. Wow! I applaud his courage in standing up to ask for the opportunity.

[@41point2]

A musician friend of mine said the best compliment he could ever get is to hear someone else play his song. This must have been great for both of them. I enjoyed it too :)

[@anchorskid]

What a generous opportunity Billy Joel gave this young man! He did not disappoint. Michael, you nailed it!! Terrific job!

[@jackson4socks]

Billy Joel is cool as fuck

[@KevinJStoll]

+jackson4socks Yes, yes he is.....

[@randallbanks1589]

Probably my favorite all time male singer

[@jondaley7223]

jackson4socks try meeting him he's a pric went to hs with my father in hicksville long island he lives in oysterbay goes to my friends restaurant won't give u a autograph or nuthin ..hicksville high school even kicked him out when he came up on his Harley ... lol

[@jonasvandenbilt8476]

Jon Daley I don't give a sh*t 4 ur ex-perience to me he's a friendly guy.

[@patrickmcdaniel7155]

The moment he puts on the shades I knew it's gonna be cool

[@raysutton3792]

That was BRILLIANT! HUGE shout out to Billy for allowing this to happen. Total CLASS ACT Mr. Billy Joel! To the pianist, WOW brother, YOU WERE HEARD AROUND THE WORLD! Excellent skills and portrayal of the fine work that Billy has endowed us with throughout his illustrious career! This was AMAZING!

[@douglaswilliams6834]

Holy Shit! Playing piano for Billy Joel, in front of an audience. Balls of steel.

[@JudyGurl]

HUGE, HUGE CAJONES

[@onedirectionstarr98]

you can see the smile on that kids face it sooo bigg

[@scottbaron121]

Met Billy when he was married to Christie Brinkley, back in the 80's. Their daughter was a baby. They went into my mom's antique shop. Can confirm. Cool AF. They were both very nice.

[@tessiecampomanes6851]

Bravo! This talented student didn’t disappoint Billy Joel and for sure Michael didn’t disappoint the audience! Impromptu performance like this surely is truly admirable. Thank you to both of you. Billy Joel you’re magnificent!

[@kjoseph8323]

Time, dedication and preparedness meets opportunity and BAM! Lifetime experience.

[@cowboygym]

K Joseph always be prepared for the unexpected....

[@knpstrr]

The amount of hours the pianist (let alone Billy) must have put in (individually) for that moment to happen...awe inspiring.

[@LambeauLeeeper]

K Joseph WELL SAID SIR!!!

[@alanshapiro8177]

Great quick fact…Michael Pollack is a multiple GRAMMY winner!

[@1packatak]

Cool!

[@rickboothby5218]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Pollack_(songwriter)

[@antonnym214]

I have always enjoyed Billy Joel's music, but only now, as I'm 64 years old, do I realize this man is much more than a singer/songwriter; he's a national treasure! All good wishes to B.J. and his fans!

[@PatrickParsonWorkshop]

Wow! This had to be a surreal experience for that young guy. Kudos to Billy Joel for being gracious and having a win/win attitude. Some musicians who are the master of their instruments (at least in their genre) might be a little jealous. Billy subscribes to the abundance theory...sharing the spotlight and celebrating this young man's talent. Very cool.

[@toscodav]

+Patrick Parson Workshop Billy Joel jealous? Of this dork? Please buy a clue. Creating music is exponentially harder than covering it.

[@phill0329]

+That "dork" has 37 published songs, and plays piano at the Carlyle in New York. Probably about $7500 a week. Yeah. A dork.

[@toscodav]

phill0329 Never heard of him. Name one hit song by him?

[@PatrickParsonWorkshop]

phill0329 Cool! Good to hear he is doing well. Neat to see that he writes as well. I'm not going to respond to the angry know-it-all troll, but what I said about his piano playing talent still stands. I wasn't (of course) referring to writing, I complimented him on his playing, which is top notch (one could make an argument that he outplayed Billy Joel). I won't say that, because they are both excellent. As for the troll, his talent seems to be hateful misplaced criticism and arguing with strangers on the internet. Fun! I advise that we ignore this person...pray for them...move on with our lives. : )

[@BobAbbott]

+toscodav Michael Pollack is the kid's name, and when this video was shot 2 years ago at Vanderbilt, he had already been playing numerous NY clubs and recorded with Billy Joel's saxophonist Richie Cannata. As for a hit, well, this video is one. lol

[@Kim4159]

This continues to give me a good feeling. I play it when I need some in this world of ours! So gracious of Billy and this young man's got SKILLZ!

[@collinjamesguitar]

Literally same. Doing it right now after a bad day!

[@RockAfella73]

My man Billy.. He can sell out football/baseball stadiums but he will still do a small show for some college students.

[@narnzipan]

That's OUR man Billy..... etc.etc.see above. ;o)

[@bherber]

Only if the college pays enough John. Don't kid yourself. For the arena shows you have to pay A LOT more people that just Billy. You have 50 plus people involved in those shows. For these masterclasses, Billy typically only does colleges that have money, many times ivy league schools.

[@michaelsharp8448]

just to really drive the point home...im a stagehand and for a show like billy there might be 100+ gotta remember the crew that builds the stage and all the lighting and video and audio techs plus hte stadium itself then billy and ihs entire crew...evreyone is getting paid from those tickets which is hwy they are so expensive. a show liek this is hceaper because teh students are the stagehands omst likely...although this is vandy so it w might have been crew one guys thta set the stage and whatnot. ive worked vandy stadium a bunch of times over the years...but just to panit a serious picture...CMAfest last year there were close ot maybe 200 stagehands cumulatively over the preshow days...and the post sohw htere was probably 200+ just on the over night gig...its a massive undertaking...i have some awesome pictures still from cmafest...such an experience and so much fun to work and build.

[@justloveu400]

thx man

[@ConspiracyMystic]

MAN! Can you IMAGINE playing piano for Billy Joel!?!?! That's like painting a picture for Divinci!..... Wow!

[@irodragon7184]

no its like being the apprentice of god. And since im not religious i hope i prove my point

[@albertoforza7323]

Yes. oh and tha painters name is written Da Vinci.

[@siaripop7]

Da Vinci was an artist, not a painter. You can find painters anywhere; and people who can spell but don't know when spelling is not as important as how one can make a person feel just by being silent....

[@pauanui8391]

+Conspiracy Mystic well said!

[@dtdlookout]

Conspiracy Mystic very true 👍🏻

[@jasonracer3]

Not many superstars would give a chance like this to someone they have never met. For all Billy Joel knew this guy could have a hard time getting through Chopsticks. But he gave him a chance. Thats all a lot of musicians need is a chance to prove themselves. I have always loved Billy Joel but i like him even more after seeing this.

[@normanchadwick2817]

+Jason S Billy said it about the kid, spoken like a true New Yorker. "You got chops kid"

[@bherber]

@Jason - Well if everybody is pointing to him, then they must know he has something going. Billy went with instinct here. He also had nothing to lose. If the kid sucked, then Billy wouldn't look like an idiot, the kid would. Also they probably could have editing out the segment from the program if it was that bad.

[@alienhuman]

Wrong. The producer knew what he was getting. Call it a set-up if you will.

[@bobbielawski2291]

hey girl

[@mattdickey2717]

Talk about pressure!! And the guy nailed it. Very well done my friend.

[@willritter4076]

I'd be honored if some Billy Joel fans would check out my acoustic piano & vocal covers of his brilliant compositions ALLENTOWN and VIENNA on my channel in tribute to the master. Live acoustic with no autotune or tech enhancements. Thanks and peace.

[@frankcorlett5950]

Nailed it! Kudos to Billy Joel for being supportive.

[@MidwestDrama]

The kid had some big brass ones. But he sure delivered.

[@SharonGuitar500]

I'm ridiculously jealous of that guy's talent and courage. And Billy is the coolest, just a simple "ok!", and even asks what key he wants to play in.

[@btofan]

It's wonderful that Billy Joel has finally found the confidence and peace of mind of who he is that allows him to share the spotlight. This is a memory that Michael Pollock will remember all his life.

[@thedys70]

And what's more - it was recorded for the world to see, and Michael has bragging-rights for the rest of his days.

[@markzern9299]

It isn’t bragging when you do it.

[@daleg.9673]

It's great that Billy Joel was even playing a little college auditorium like that in the first place.

[@normanchadwick2817]

+Dale G. Similar venue which I saw him for the first time. Early 70's. What a show he puts on. He is a great entertainer beside a great song writer.

[@Phyde4ux]

+Dale G. Vanderbilt can only be called "a little college auditorium" in the Big Apple.

[@kevini4295]

I've always been a fan of Billy Joel, and his stock just went up even more. It was awesome he allowed that student the opportunity to accompany him. Shows his humility.

[@zyxwut321]

That's an older and wiser Billy Joel doing that. Joel was famous for his inflated ego and temper as a younger artist. He's now more secure with himself and his place in history.

[@emdeechetty1828]

and that's why we practice, kids. You never know.

[@ronaldtartaglia4459]

Emdee Chetty i tell my daughter the same thing.

[@ProbablySoonerThanLater]

Billy was very sweet to give that kid an experience of a lifetime! Very very generous of him!

[@russefrance4869]

He is now a Grammy award winning songwriter and producer, with Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, Beyoncé and loads more singing his songs. The kid did good.

[@ajarproject4021]

This kid has some serious stones and a ton of talent fantastic absolutely fantastic

[@kenhackney]

Absolutely incredible!!! I've seen Billy Joel in an Arena Setting and he's great! Here in a small intimate setting where he is interacting more closely with the audience I don't think even he, judging from his initial invitation to Michael, had any clue what magic was about to unfold. He was initially like "Sure, Why Not?". Watched the timeline. It took Billy less than 10 seconds to realize Michael was for real. Afterwards, he was stunned and truly impressed as he praises "I Love it when that Happens!". I love it when someone captures these rare moments of absolute unexpected magic and is able to share it with the rest of us. I cannot express enough praise to both Billy Joel and Michael Pollack!!!

[@Roco101]

Kenneth R. Hackney I

[@MrCrouton80]

Billy Joel is all class.... All class!! And DUDE, Michael Pollack can play piano!!!

[@bherber]

He was only copying what Billy does live.

[@MrCrouton80]

Still takes some talent...

[@bherber]

Nope, that's wrong Granton. I do this full-time.

[@emtb9111]

Absolutely beautiful! It is nice when an artist allows a fan to come on stage with them.

[@xtop23]

I knew he'd be good before I heard it. You don't step up to Billy Joel unless you've got your shit wired. Nicely done Michael.

[@Dlogreen]

damn right... i was thinking that too.

[@tmektl27]

xtop23 good point

[@scottrussell2281]

Still love this all these years later. Just great!

[@wreckim]

When the pianist started, he took over my soul, then Billy started singing, and took over my heart, and in the end they both own me. Wow.

[@YouInDavid]

I can play this song on Spotify.

[@JayDeeIsMyName]

+YouInDavid I laughed out loud. Cheers, kind sir! ^_^

[@daviddemar8749]

bravo Michael and kudos to Billy Joel for being gracious enough to let the young man share the spotlight/share the love. perhaps Billy Joel remembered that everyone starts out as a rookie

[@thedys70]

David, how good was the pregnant pause while Billy weighed-up the scenario, and the buzz of anticipation from the audience. That's live music, and theatre, all rolled into one delicious moment.

[@barrypoupard7009]

One of the most wonderful things I've ever seen -- and heard - on the internet. Thank you for posting.

[@docrichie9]

And the amazing thing is .... they never rehearsed that. It was all improv, off-the-cuff. Magical.

[@bherber]

Well he was essentially playing what Billy plays live, so Billy was essentially singing to himself. Not rocket science.

[@littledriver8948]

so cooooool!!!!!!

[@canefan17]

There's an art to accompanying someone though. And Billy was a bit out of his element too, singing without his piano.

[@stumbling]

There's no such thing as rocket science, Bryan, it's called, "rocket engineering". Now stop being a kill joy.

[@bherber]

Richard you clearly haven't listened to much live Billy. He's been doing it the same for years. The kid was copying off the records & Billy was singing to himself. Don't pretend like it's improv. What kind of doctor are you anyway?

[@vincentgaglio5106]

just so incredible , such Grace shown to this young man for Billy Joel to agree, and it was so awesome

[@y4ukickmydog]

Well Done Billy....class and generosity in one.

[@fringleshnotz]

Damn... When you offer to play PIANO for Billy Joel, you GOT to deliver! And this kid just did! Way to go, buddy.

[@cpt203]

Simply fantastic.....fortune favors the prepared and the bold......

[@franciscokid123]

I like that Billy Joel didn't bat an eye, and said OK! Very cool.

[@zyxwut321]

He's been doing this for almost 50 years. There's very little he hasn't done, seen or been through on a stage.

[@LoveFlatfootin1]

Wonderful duet! Billy Joel's still got it after all these years.

[@JackT702]

I know right. I love him so much.

[@bobbielawski2291]

hey girl. by Billy Joel

[@lilsuzq32]

"OK!" This rates a 100 on a scale of 10 :)

[@what.....meworry7126]

THAT V O I C E !!!! I agree- where MOST fade over time, Billy's voice had developed greater timber in the lower register and his high notes are effortless. Best to you, Billy!!

[@egress1977]

Isn't it great to courage in a young person to grab a dream and for a great entertainer be so generous to grant a chance. Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

[@jpracingph]

When Billy says you got chops, YOU"RE GOOD!

[@gelifry1682]

rightta

[@bherber]

Geli were you replying to me? If so I'd love some detail. Rightta doesn't really mean anything.... lol

[@tomkissinger7713]

Bryan Herber

[@sambrook8116]

*MICHAEL POLLACK* 👍👌

[@orgazmodelahandro1902]

jpracingph I thought he was talking about pork chops

[@yfz01]

I don't usually watch the Voice, but I just so happened to stumble upon it, and this guy was singing. Nailed it.

[@TBNTX]

I still love this video, even decades later.

[@slimjimmy149]

Talent, confidence, and courage to perform in front of people = chops

[@williamwells1862]

Wonderful. I saw Billy Joel at a Piano Bar in1996 at Grenwich Village and did not realize it. I think he lived across the square.

[@ryandolph4140]

Now this is something he will never ever forget. What talent and heart.

[@bpabustan]

Real musicians support each other, when senior musicians see up and comers this good, they will be willing to support them.

[@rhyattgere4833]

Every single part of that was amazing! Billy's graciousness, Michael's balls and ability, Billy's impressed comments after. A true moment to remember. I glad it was caught on video.

[@adamdesanti6713]

I love the beats here: - Joel honestly processing the bold request for a moment and responds with the old "ok kid, let's see what ya got." - "what key do you play it in" responded with "what key do you want it in?" (mildly impressed). - fixing the sheet music for him. - listening for 10 seconds. (ok he's got the goods). - puts the shades on ready to go (worthy of a full vocal performance). - gesturing on changes, fully into it. - Michael nailing it in front of the GUY THAT WROTE THE SONG (zero stage-fright or idol-worship affecting performance). - Billy amused by finale soloing. - Applauds him, shakes his hand, moves in for hug and asks his name. - Generously repeats it twice to the crowd. - "I love it when stuff like that happens." Thanks for uploading. Billy Joel's complete authorized biography is excellent by the way. Highly recommend. I always knew _of_ him growing up and many of the hits of course but I was impressed. He's very working-class.

[@c-castaneda]

1:13 That moment when Billy Joel is helping you with the music sheet and Billy Joel comes and help you with the mic.

[@steviesindahouse4903]

LOL !!!

[@LetTheWritersWrite]

Carlos castañeda aispuro that was hilarious.I didn't even notice.

[@craberger1003]

ahahahahahahah

[@ronaldstrohm4378]

Carlos castañeda aispuro y

[@Zenthral]

XDDDDDDDDDD

[@timblythe1804]

What a gift! This was awesome of him to let the young man have a moment. And what talent he has.

[@000ROCY000]

God bless both of you!

[@randycrager4074]

Love the heck outta this guy! Piano was purrfect!

[@biffoscot]

What a class act Billy is, so pleased he gave the Kid a chance. He knocked it out the park. Home run.

[@kennycab3374]

Posted 11 years ago, and just came to me tonight. Just wow how life works. This is beautiful for both Billy and who ever tore up the piano.

[@cliffordhart1592]

wow,!! no wonder this guy is held in such high regard. A true master. The piano guy is most excellent!!!

[@VelocityTruckCentresCanada]

IT was amazing for a talent like MR. Billy Joel to say yes! Kudos to both

[@samw8638]

Billy Joel is all class.

[@stephengeorgepotts]

He has since written for and preformed with Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, Ed Sheeran, Selena Gomez and Beyoncé and is owner of Livelihood music publishers.

[@ruralrob228]

'what key do you play it in' ? ......'any key you want ' ......... love it !

[@melissaharned5522]

When Billy says, “kid’s got chops” you know you’re good ❤️❤️❤️

[@coolcat6303]

How many guys get to play on stage in front of their music idol? Very cool stuff! Also, goes to show that Billy is really down to earth & doesn't have a huge ego unlike some other celebs.

[@zyxwut321]

That's the benefit of sticking around for decades and becoming a living legend. Thirty year old Billy Joel would not do anything like this. He's cleaned up from the booze, mellowed out and matured into a much more gracious man. That's wonderful to see since he's one of the greatest artists of the 20th century and he's able to spend the latter part of his life mentoring others and enjoying an extended victory lap.

[@Dkposhny11220]

That kid was amazing!

[@LeadMunitions]

One of the greatest videos of all time!!

[@jimbutler6645]

Absolutely amazing!

[@gwzapo]

Awesome! Just totally loved watching this!

[@keithlincicum3691]

I have watched this several times and I think it is so cool for Billy Joel to say OK to begin with. What a treat for both of them!

[@salliethompson938]

A star is born! Good luck to Michael Pollack..... Super star.

[@MrChrissy1r]

Tears to my eyes,, oh ,, yeh,, the tears, are flowing,,, ,,brilliant, what more can be said??!!

[@merluchador9063]

Billy is magic. and still kicking ass and taking names with that style and voice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@richardgreen7811]

That is one of the most generous things I ever seen a perform do ... Kudos to Billy as a person

[@laura_life83]

👏👏👏👏👏👏 killed it on the piano awesome job!

[@terencetee2624]

Wow. Billy Joel, you sir are a legend for doing that.

[@douglane415]

The smile on Michael's face when Billy starts to sing says, "I'm playing for Billy F'n Joel". Priceless.

[@andrewshutty6471]

Great! Dream com true! Thank you for the tears in my eyes, the good kind.

[@billymurph8125]

BRAVO MY FRIEND YOU NAILED THIS ONE SOME DAY YOUR GRAND KIDS WILL WATCH THIS IN AWWWWW... THX BILLY UR A GREAT GUY !!!!!

[@nolanr7679]

I get feels everytime I hear that song. I got to see him live last year and it was amazing.

[@tlcp53b49]

Takes something special to impress the Piano Man and that was Special.

[@rosscohenderson1651]

both of you rock ..... go on tour with this fellow billy ......

[@GoodEggs]

The kid is really good also because he knows not to upstage the singer, so important with accompaniment. If the singer gives you the opportunity to show off you take it, but you don't get TOO fancy that you show up the singer because a great performance is collaborative. A few people who get pulled up on stage don't always get that, and it's always really uncomfortable when that happens.

[@susanford4606]

Well, like Michael, this is one of my favorite Billy Joel songs. When he starts to play, if you close your eyes, you don't know if it's Michael or Billy! Then Billy starts to sing those beautiful words and I was just blown away! The ending was superb! Way to go Billy and Michael!!!!

[@JohnnyHartley-x4c]

To give a kid this opportunity to get with him , I agree a class act.

[@robertroy6094]

Fantastic!

[@maqiaoerda]

0:31 the most smooth "OK" ever

[@72Disco1998]

I love how he is like Ok!. Brilliant piano playing, also another favorite song of mine. I always wanted to learn to play the piano but I play the bag pipes. Great video!!

[@msk.johnson5102]

Very impressive.

[@davet5887]

How amazing ! Great job , and kudos to Billy for giving him the opportunity to do this ! Thank you Billy for the many awesome songs , and for putting Long Island on the map !

[@monex5]

Pardon my language, but this is f&^king amazing!!! Wow...

[@Shwarmageddon]

I got goosebumps listening to this on youtube. Cant imagine how it was for that amazingly talented guy to play there with him in person

[@jasonlilly9704]

To all the people trashing this guy....the dude has probably studied videos of Billy Joel. And his style of playing is similar because that's how Billy Joel imagined it, wrote it, and played it. If he played it any other way, Billy Joel would have told him to get off the stage. But if you want to trash him, put up a video of you playing "New York State of Mind".

[@sheepdog4656]

A bit of heaven on earth...I got chill bumps listening to this...God it feels good to see and hear great talent...