William Martin Joel, better known as pianist and pop tunesmith Billy Joel, was born on May 9, 1949 in the Bronx. He was raised in a town called Hicksville, New York by an English mother and a German father. He has a sister named Judith and a half-brother named Alexander, who is also an accomplished piano player and conductor. In fact, Joel’s father was an acclaimed piano player as well. A talent for tickling the ivories seems to run in the Joel family.

Ironically, Billy Joel didn’t initially want to take piano lessons. He finally did at his mother’s insistence, but neighborhood kids picked on Joel for being interested in music instead of sports. Joel studied under a Julliard music teacher who also happened to teach ballet, so bullies accused him of taking dance lessons.

Joel eventually took boxing lessons in order to defend himself. He ended up being a somewhat successful contender on the amateur Golden Glove circuit.

Partly due to his rock and roll lifestyle, Billy Joel was one credit short of graduating high school. Music was his true calling, and he decided to pursue his dreams of becoming a pop star after seeing The Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. Joel made his first recording at age 16 with a British Invasion cover band called The Echoes.

Joel signed his first solo record contract in 1971 with Artie Ripp of Family Productions. It was entitled “Cold Spring Harbor,” but it was mastered at the wrong speed and distorted the pitch of Joel’s voice. Songs like “She’s Got a Way” and “Everybody Loves You Now” were on the album, but they consequently didn’t garner much attention until the 1980s when they were re-released.

Billy Joel’s first hit song was “The Piano Man.” Released in 1973, it is still a popular radio and jukebox tune around the world today. It skyrocketed his career, and he was then able to be more hands-on in the production of his own songs. He is one of a select few musicians recording today that are in charge of their own brand of music by having their name on the copyright instead of a recording company.

Once Joel was in control, the hits of the late ’70s and ’80s started to hit the streets. From ballads like “Just the Way You Are” to rocking tunes like “Uptown Girl,” Joel’s music made him a household name.
Billy Joel was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999. Although he officially announced his retirement from recording music in 1993, he frequently tours and releases compilation albums. Rumors are circulating about an upcoming tour with Joel and Elton John, reuniting the two piano legends onstage.

It seems as though pop music sometimes gets a bad rap. A glimpse at three of modern pop’s most famous pianists may dispel the myth that pop is an inferior genre. Their skill and level of musical expertise rivals that of pianists of other genres.

Sir Elton John: Born in England in 1947, his illustrious career has spanned three decades. John’s talent for playing the piano became apparent before the boy even entered school. He was often overheard picking out difficult classical pieces on the piano by ear as young as four years old. In fact, he was considered a prodigy. John entered the Royal Academy of Music on a scholarship award at the age of 11 and outshone most of the other students.

His professional career began like that of many musicians. John spent several years playing in pubs. Eventually a chance opportunity led him to partner with Bernie Taupin. Taupin and John write songs together to this day. Songwriting eventually led to the release of his first album in 1970. Shortly thereafter he became known as “the father of piano rock,” a title that still befits him today.

Billy Joel: Though he is often associated with his first big hit, “The Piano Man,” Joel almost didn’t learn to play. It was with great reluctance and upon his mother’s insistence that he began piano lessons. He excelled in proficiency, despite taunts from classmates about his preference for music over sports. Joel even took up boxing in high school to quell those taunts. Though he won many boxing championships, he gave up boxing after a nose injury and focused on his musical pursuits.

Joel began playing professionally at age 14. He played with various bands from 1964 until he recorded and released his first solo album in 1971. Though that first album didn’t gain much acclaim, but his second did. “The Piano Man” single was an instant success. The album “The Piano Man,” which was released in 1973, went gold. To date, over 4 million copies of this recording have been sold.

Joel went on to make several more albums in his career. His works include an album of original classical piano pieces.

Jerry Lee Lewis: Much of the credit for advancing the role of rock music in society must be given to this artist. In fact, Lewis is considered a pioneer in the industry. Born into a staunchly religious family, it was to their consternation that Lewis’ preference for rock and roll began to take shape. He began playing the piano in childhood and had a clear gifting for music. Fascinated by “negro music,” he began to develop his own style based on it. It was a mix of gospel, which he had grown up with, and country, R&B and boogie woogie. What emerged was the earliest form of rock and roll.

Lewis was often publicly condemned for playing “the devil’s music.” Even his own family denounced his work. This criticism seemed to only fuel his artistic nature even more. His fame spread, and even Elvis Presley took notice. He is quoted as saying “If I could play the piano like that, I’d quit singing.”

Lewis’ life, like that of many artists, was fraught with personal problems and scandals. His marriage to his 13-year-old cousin in 1953 (while still married to his first wife) nearly plummeted his career into obscurity. Soon after, his fame became limited to being the butt of jokes and public ridicule. Health problems, alcoholism, drug addiction and family tragedies nearly did him in. But after a movie about his life was released in 1989, his career made a comeback. This included another hit album in 2007, his first since 1973, and his induction into the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame the same year.