Billy Joel Is Writing New Music But Just For Himself
Billy Joel, Photo By Ros O'Gorman, Noise11, Photo

Billy Joel, Photo By Ros O'Gorman

Billy Joel Is Writing New Music But Just For Himself

by Roger Wink, VVN Music on October 22, 2014

in News

Billy Joel continues to be a composer. He’s just not concerned about anyone else ever hearing the music.

In a terrific profile from the New Yorker, Joel has revealed that he has been working on an instrumental song cycle for over ten years but all of the pieces are just in his head. Not one note has been committed to paper.

This is Joel in his later years, playing a monthly residency at Madison Square Garden along with occasional shows in other venues, living in an admittedly lavish style and composing music, when the muse hits, for no one but himself. “It’s all here”, Joel said, pointing to his head.

Billy went on to say he didn’t know, or care, where these compositions would go. “Some could be songs, some could be ideas for a soundtrack or something, some are more like hymns.” Even so, he admits that the music has an overarching theme, telling the history of Long Island.

Joel hasn’t recorded a new album of pop/rock music in 31 years and it certainly doesn’t sound like these new songs are headed in that direction. “…then it’d need words, and I don’t wanna.”

Still, Joel realizes that time may not be kind to the long-term preservation of his new music. He admitted that he is having trouble remembering a few of the passages and agrees to, at the least, get the pieces on tape sometime in the near future. Maybe, in fifty years, those tapes will appear on some grandiose box set of Joel’s lifetime work.

In the meantime, it seems that Joel has found a place in life where he is happy, indulging his inner rock star during occassional shows and spending the rest of his time living a life of leisure, even if he does sometimes feel guilty about it.

More from vvnmusic.com

Related Posts

Jeff Lynne photo from Jefflynneselo website
Jeff Lynne’s ELO Announce Their Final Tour

Jeff Lynne’s ELO, Lynne solo outing of his Electric Light Orchestra songs, has announced a final farewell tour.

6 hours ago
Sydney Harbour Bridge and Abba
BBC To Screen Rare ABBA Footage

ABBA footage previously thought to be lost will be aired as part of the BBC's celebrations of the 50th anniversary of ABBA's Eurovision win.

13 hours ago
Crosby, Stills & Nash - Photo By Ros O'Gorman
Todd Rundgren, Rickie Lee Jones To Play Crosby, Stills & Nash Tribute Show In New York

A tribute show to Crosby, Stills & Nash is planned for May with Todd Rundgren and Rickie Lee Jones just two of the star lined up to perform.

1 day ago
Bongo Returns To The Rising Sun With a Whole Lot More Skyhooks

Skyhooks co-founder Bob ‘Bongo’ Starkie played a special St Patricks Day gig at his old haunt, the Rising Sun Hotel on Sunday afternoon and this time it was full in Skyhooks.

1 day ago
The Angels Pass The Pub Test With Nick Norton

When Dave Gleeson stepped down from his 12 year stint as lead singer of The Angels, Nick Norton had some big shoes to fill. Much like the big shoes Dave had to fill after the final departure of Doc Neeson.

1 day ago
Steve Harley at Noise11.comSteve Harley at Noise11.com
Steve Harley Passes Away At Age 73

Steve Harley, best known for his song ‘Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)’, has died from cancer at the age of 73.

1 day ago
Bon Jovi, Photo By Damien Loverso
Bon Jovi Premiere New Song ‘Legendary’

Bon Jovi have announced their 16th album ‘Forever’ is coming in June. Today you get to hear ‘Legendary’.

4 days ago