Billy Joel is moving.
From Madison Square Garden, at least, after their 150th show at the iconic New York venue on Thursday night.
The conclusion of Joel’s residency came almost 50 years after his first show at the Garden and more than 10 years after it began, MSG said in a statement.
Their first show there was on December 14, 1978.
Joel became MSG’s first musical franchise when he was named in December 2013, joining the venue’s other storied franchises, the New York Knicks and New York Rangers, MSG said.
He began his decade-long residency the following month, agreeing to play one show a month “as long as demand continues,” Joel said at the time, per MSG.
Joel made good on that promise and broke his own record for “most consecutive performances by any artist” with his 13th show at MSG, the venue said, in January 2015. The moment was cemented in the Garden’s history with a banner in the venue’s rafters.
He broke another record — “most lifetime performances by any artist” — that July, after his 65th lifetime performance, MSG said. Another banner was flown above MSG in his honor.
Both banners, celebrating his records for consecutive performances by an artist (104) and lifetime performances (150), were raised on Thursday night, the site said.
It’s a feat Joel didn’t accomplish completely alone. Throughout his tenure at MSG, he was joined on stage by a multitude of surprise guests, including Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Tony Bennett, Paul Simon, Olivia Rodrigo, Bon Jovi, John Mayer, Miley Cyrus, John Fogerty, Patti Smyth, John Mellencamp, Alexa Ray Joel, Peter Frampton, Trey Anastasio, Jimmy Fallon, Kevin Bacon, Howard Stern and Kevin James, among others.
On his Instagram Story on Thursday, Joel posted a slideshow of photos featuring several of these guests on stage with him over the years.
The venue gave its all to its king on Thursday. It featured moments and memorabilia from Joel’s franchise in a new “Defining Moments” exhibit.
The exhibit showcased Joel’s harmonicas, a pair of his “signature” Ray-Ban sunglasses, setlists and photos from some of his most memorable shows.
Fans who attended Joel’s final show at The Garden had the chance to purchase some “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” themed concessions and visit a photo station where they could write messages to Joel.
During its “legendary run,” more than 1.9 million tickets were sold to fans in all 50 U.S. states and more than 120 countries, MSG said.
In addition to his solo shows, Joel participated in two benefit concerts at MSG, including “12-12-12, The Concert For Sandy Relief”, which raised money for victims of Hurricane Sandy, and “The Concert for New York City”, who help the victims and heroes of 9/11.
Joel announced his last show at MSG in a Instagram post in November 2023.
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