Billy Joel couldn’t wait to take the piss out of organisers of the Stone Festival in Sydney on Sunday night, often referring to his “stoner classics” and “biker songs”.
Billy Joel, Photo By Ros O'Gorman
Joel headlined the inaugural Stone Festival and had a good sense of humour about why he was headlining an event named after a ‘stoner’ movie. “Why did they want me to headline a concert based on a stoner movie? Everyone knows Piano Man is a biker theme,” he said before dropping in ‘Born To Be Wild’ into his set.
Joel’s jokes were almost as entertaining as his performance. “I haven’t been here for ages. I’m starting to look like my father. Last night my mother tried to hit on me,” he said channelling the spirit of Rodney Dangerfield.
When he couldn’t turn around because his piano seat was fixed he apologised to the people behind him and said, ”at least everyone’s getting lots of head”.
Joel told stories about the songs and the ex-wives. ‘She’s Always A Woman’ was “written for ex-2. Its another biker anthem.”
A special shout-out to Jon Stevens who joined Billy for the AC/DC classic ‘Highway To Hell’.
While Stone Fest failed to attract the audience it did succeed in producing a showcase for some great performances.
Billy Joel’s Stone Music Festival setlist was:
Miami 2017 (Seen The Lights Go Out On Broadway) (from Turnstiles, 1976)
Pressure (from The Nylon Curtain, 1982)
Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song) (from The Stranger, 1977)
The Entertainer (from Streetlife Serenade, 1974)
My Life (from 52nd Street, 1978)
Allentown (from The Nylon Curtain, 1982)
Born To Be Wild (Steppenwolf cover)
Don’t Ask Me Why (from Glass Houses, 1980)
Zanzibar (from 52nd Street, 1978)
She’s Always A Woman (from The Stranger, 1977)
Keeping The Faith (from An Innocent Man, 1983)
Scenes From An Italian Restaurant (from The Stranger, 1977)
River Of Dreams (including Waltzing Matilda)
We Didn’t Start The Fire (from Stormfront, 1989)
Highway To Hell (with Jon Stevens) (AC/DC cover)
Its Still Rock and Roll To Me (from Glass Houses, 1980)
You May Be Right (from Glass Houses, 1980)
Only The Good Die Young (from The Stranger, 1977)
Piano Man (from Piano Man, 1973)
