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When Billy Joel started talking about his rocky history with alcohol and his dabble with heroin, most thought that the interview had reached the rocky depths of the legendary musician’s inner soul. But it was his loose plans for a super group, including himself, Sting, Don Henly and “another guitarist”, that proved to be his scariest admission.

Billy Joel performs for the first time as artist in residence at Madison Square Garden 

Opening up Monday in a two-hour interview in front of 100 fans in a New York City town hall setting, Joel took Stern and the lucky guests – lucky because they were obviously fans – on a journey through his song writing secrets, and the drug that would lead to the song “Scandinavian Skies” from 1982’s ‘The Nylon Curtain’. “It got me so high, I didn’t know how to deal with it,” he said of trying heroin. “It scared me.” (THR)

Continue reading: Drugs, Alcohol, A Super Group With Sting - Billy Joel's Chat With Howard Stern

This year's Kennedy Center honorees include Singer/ songwriter Billy Joel, pianist and composer Herbie Hancock, musician Carlos Santana, and actress Shirley Maclaine, and opera soprano Martina Arroyo: all who will be honored in a fabulous ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Center on the 8th December this year.

Billy Joel To Be Honored By The Kennedy Center This Year.

Founded in 1978, the Kennedy Center Honors was created to recognise the lifetime achievements of performing artists who play a part in American culture, celebrated at a decadent Washington D.C. event attended by the country's top authorities. The Kennedy Center Honors recipients are selected by a committee from the fields of music, dance, theatre, opera, film, and television. Previous honors have been bestowed upon the likes of Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand, Sir Paul MacCartney, Meryl Streep, Luciano Pavarotti.

Continue reading: Billy Joel, Herbie Hancock, Shirley MacLaine To Be Honored By Kennedy Center

Kristen Stewart managed to earn half a million dollars in only 15 minutes, and if that wasn't impressive enough, the money she made was donated straight to charity. The Twilight star caught the attention of an unnamed Middle Eastern Prince, who was so taken with the actress that he forked out the huge sum for just 15 minutes of her time.

Just $500K can buy you 15 minutes with Kristen Stewart

According to film producer Harvey Weinstein, Kristen was helping to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Sandy when Weinstein was approached about spending some one-on-one time with Kristen by the mysterious, ultra-rich Middle Eastern monarch. Initially dismissing the requests, Kristen soon caught wind of what was happening and was actually willing to meet with the high-paying Prince, leading Weinstein to broker a deal to arrange the meet-up. Sounds seedy doesn't it?

Continue reading: Kristen Stewart Earns $500,000 For Charity After Spending 15 Minutes Alone With Middle Eastern Prince

Billie Joel’s depression following the 9/11 attacks is to blame for his substance abuse and multiple driving mishaps. In an interview with the New York Times Joel finally opens up about his trips to rehab and why they never worked – apparently he doesn’t believe in them at all. According to the interview, the root of all his problems was really a combination of stress over the 9/11 attacks and the coinciding end of a relationship.

But more importantly, in the interview Joel talks about his legacy as a musician and as a performer. Despite being 64 now, the rocker doesn’t feel too old for the business – not by a long shot. In fact, he claimed that at the 12-12-12 Sandy Relief benefit last year, he almost felt like a youngster compared to some of the other performers.

“It was funny, because backstage at the 12-12-12 concert, nobody is a spring chicken anymore. Here comes Keith, and Keith is from the time of King Tut. Then there’s Pete Townshend and Mick and McCartney. Rocking-chair rockers. Bon Jovi is next door to me, and then Bruce is down the hall, and we kind of felt like the youngsters. But everybody is still doing it much older than I thought we would ever be.”

Continue reading: There's Not Much Sex, Drugs And Rock 'n' Roll In My Life, Says Billy Joel

Billy Joel’s daughter Alexa Ray has been the victim of a deranged stalker, who has threatened the singer with more than 60 Facebook messages, containing elements of “pedophilia, sadistic-sexual behavior, violent physical assaults and murder.” Joel was so concerned about the stalker that he hired Paul McCartney’s private detective, to hunt down Sheryl Finley, 40 – the perpetrator of the oppressive behavior.

New York Post reports that 27 year-old Alexa was scared to leave the house, after the Minnesota woman stalked her and sent messages over a period of several months. A source told the Post that Alexa’s mother, Christie Brinkley, was also fearful for her daughter’s life. “Her mother, Christie Brinkley, was terrified that someone would harm her baby,” the source revealed. “Billy Joel was worried but focused.” According to the report, Billy hired a bodyguard to protect Alexa and also got in touch with old pal McCartney, who put him in touch with a Europe-based private security firm – not bound by the same legal restrictions as the police.

The stalker was tracked down in Austin, Minnesota, where she told law enforcement that the alleged rape and murder threats were not actions she wanted to carry out “during this life.” Finley had previously spent time in a mental institution in 2010. She reportedly remained optimistic that Alexa would not “object to meeting with her.” 

Continue reading: Billy Joel's Daughter At Centre Of Stalking Scandal - Billy Calls On Paul McCartney For Help

It must have been some moment for piano student Michael Pollack, as he got to join legend Billy Joel on stage during one of the star’s public appearances.

InsideVandy, the website for Vanderbilt University where Pollack studies, reports that it was a hosting a Q+A with the singer and that Pollack was in attendance. During the Q+A he told Joel that New York State Of Mind was a favorite song of his and asked if he’d possibly be able to play it with him. As Pollack recalls "I walked up, we spoke about the arrangement for about 15 seconds — he just went through what he wanted me to play — and then from there, it was just … foggy. It's hard to remember. I just started playing. I had practiced it a little bit thinking maybe I'd get the chance to go up … I kind of lost myself playing. Then afterward he said to me … he said that I was great, where are you from … and I said, 'I'm a Long Islander just like you.' He was like, 'Cool.' Then I walked off, and that was it … It was probably the greatest moment of my life, up to date."

Continue reading: Piano Student Shares Stage With Billy Joel

Bob Dylan and Paul McCartney are amongst the artists to have songs inducted into the Grammy Museum’s Hall of Fame in 2013. Dylan has ‘the Times They Are A Changin’’ up for the honour and Macca has ‘Band on the Run’ on the list.

In a statement from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, reported by the Sacramento Bee, Neil Portnow said “With the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame celebrating 40 years, it's especially important to note that these entries continue the tradition of inducting a wide variety of recordings that have inspired and influenced both fans and music makers for generations. Memorable for being both culturally and historically significant, we are proud to add them to our growing catalog of outstanding recordings that have become part of our musical, social and cultural history.”

One stipulation of being entered onto the list is that the song must have been recorded at least 25 years ago and have had lasting significance. Also on the list of inductees are Whitney Houston and Elton John’s self-titled albums, Billy Joel’s ‘Piano Man,’ recordings by James Brown, Richard Pryor and Little Richard, amongst others. Next year’s Grammy awards will be broadcast on February 10, 2013 at 8pm ET/PT on the CBS Network, they are amongst the most highly regarded awards in the music industry. This years awards were marked with a tribute to the late Whitney Houston, who died just the day before the ceremony. 

Continue reading: Bob Dylan And Paul McCartney Songs Among Grammy Hall Of Fame List

Since 1973, the Grammys have been inducting particular recordings that have stood the test of time into their hall of fame. The list doesn't only include music and one of the most famous hall of famers in there is Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have A Dream' speech. The institution have just released a few of the artists and tracks that will be included in the hall of fame for 2013 on their home website.

Included in the list are James Brown, Bob Dylan, Carlos Gardel, Buck Owens, Richard Pryor, Little Richard, Paul McCartney & The Wings, and Billy Joel. Neil Portnow, the President and CEO of the Recording Academy spoke of next year's importance. "With the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame celebrating 40 years, it's especially important to note that these entries continue the tradition of inducting a wide variety of recordings that have inspired and influenced both fans and music makers for generations," he said. "Memorable for being both culturally and historically significant, we are proud to add them to our growing catalog of outstanding recordings that have become part of our musical, social, and cultural history."

There are a couple of tracks in this years list of 27 entrants that are surprising, if only that it's take 40 years for them to make the cut. Frank Sinatra's 'New York, New York' will be in the hall of fame as of next year, though surely its iconographic status had already more proven its worth. AC/DC's 'Back in Black' also appears in the list. Perhaps to pay tribute to a great figure in music, Whitney Houston's self titled album will also be inducted, marking the further great achievements and talents from all over the world, and rounding off a great 40 years of the Grammy hall of fame. 

In a possible game-changer over how musicians are compensated for use of their music online, Billy Joel, Rihanna and Missy Elliot are set to fight the online music company Pandora Media Inc over royalties. The company is in the process of lobbying for U.S. Congress to pass the "Internet Radio Fairness Act," which would change regulation of how royalties are paid, though many of the artists themselves oppose it.

A group of 125 musicians, including Rihanna, Billy Joel and company, argue the bill would cut the amount of money an artist receives when one of their songs is played over the internet by a whopping 85 per cent. "Why is the company asking Congress once again to step in and gut the royalties that thousands of musicians rely upon? That's not fair and that's not how partners work together," read the open letter, to be published this weekend in Billboard. The issue of how Pandora - an advertising-driven online music company - pays musicians for streaming their songs has been hotly debated and a similar argument concerns Spotify in the UK and Europe. Pandora's founder and chief strategy officer said in a statement, "Internet radio and the artists whose music is played and listened to on the Internet are indeed all in this together.A sustainable Internet radio industry will benefit all artists, big and small." Essentially, the most customers Pandora attracts, the more money it has to pay overall for rights to stream music. The company perceives this to be "astonishingly unfair" to internet radio, saying on its website, "We are asking for our listeners' support to help end the discrimination against internet radio. It's time for Congress to stop picking winners, level the playing field and establish a technology-neutral standard."

According to Reuters, Pandora closed 4.6 per cent lower at $7.31 on the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday (November 14, 2012).

Continue reading: Billy Joel, Rihanna Fight Pandora Over Artists Royalties: Is It A Game-Changer?

How many of us have heard of the Internet Radio Fairness Act, and if we do know it, how many of us really understand what it's trying to do? The Electronic Frontier Foundation has explained it and its benefits and all in all it sounds like a really good idea- however, perhaps it's because we don't fully understand all parts of the article that it seems so good.

Assuming they know what the Internet Radio Fairness Act is doing for them, or against them, 125 musical artists have all signed their name to an open letter opposing the act because it would take away some of their royalties. According to Reuters, they'd be losing out on 85% or royalties for using the songs by these artists, who include Rihanna, Billy Joe, Ludacris, Blondie, Collbie Callait, and CeeLo Green, to name but a few. Responding to their fears and criticism, Tim Westergren, one of the founders of Pandora, a prime internet radio streaming website, explained the great possibilities that may come to fruition if the bill is passed: "Passage of the IRFA will mean more jobs in a sustainable industry, more choices for listeners, and more opportunities and revenue for working artists and their record labels. When the digital music sector is allowed to grow and innovate, everybody wins." Likewise, a spokesperson for the fairness act said: "[w]e respect the artists' concerns and are willing to work with them through the legislative process to create a healthy, sustainable, growing Internet radio business that benefits them as well as labels, distributors and consumers." 

Both sides of the argument seem to thin their way will be a happily-ever-after situation. We guess perhaps not.

The Dave Matthews Band have pledged to donate $1 million to help those affected by Superstorm Sandy. Fox News have reported that the band, originally from Charlottesville, Virginia made the announcement today (Wednesday November 14, 2012) on their website, revealing that the opening date of their winter tour will be a benefit show and all ticket and merchandise sales will go to the Bama Works Sandy Relief Fund, which was established at the Community Foundation of New York.

When the storm hit the East Coast of the USA just over two weeks, it caused devastation and widespread damage. There were power outages in New Jersey and New York and the clean-up operation continues to try to get communities back to their former state. The band’s show at the Izod Center in New Jersey on November 30, will benefit the Bama Works fund.

The Dave Matthews Band aren’t the only high profile artist to help with the relief effort following the storm. NBC hosted hosted a telethon concert, featuring some of the world’s best-love musicians, including Bruce Springsteen, Christina Aguilera, Billy Joel, Bon Jovi and Sting. Christina Aguilera performed a moving rendition of her hit song ‘Beautiful,’ which became one of the highlights of the concert.

The stars came out to raise money for the reconstruction of areas devastated by Hurricane Sandy last week, and fewer seemed more committed to the cause than Bruce Springsteen, a New Jersey native who saw his home neighbourhood devastated in the storms.

Springsteen was among a host of New Jersey locals including Jon Bon Jovi and the E Street Band, whilst Long Islander Billy Joel, Bronx native Mary J. Blige, Bostonian Steven Tyler and Staten Island’s Christina Aguilera also lent a hand for the hour long televised show titled ‘Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together’. It was Springsteen who took the day though, closing the showing and singing with closed eyes and gritted teeth. "God bless New York and God bless the Jersey Shore” he called out at the end of his short performance, with it looking like he’d could’ve gone on for many many more songs if the network had allowed him to.

Other highlights of the event saw Jon Bon Jovi perform a solemn, tributary ‘Prayer’ to his home town. Many of the performances were punctuated with video segments, and footage of the wreckage that came from the storm. It has to be said, though, that despite the undoubted cost of damages, the east coast of the US got off lightly compared to the Caribbean, where 69 people lost their lives.

A Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together Telethon was held last night in the hopes of bringing relief to the millions affected when Hurricane Sandy ripped through the East Coast of America.

NBC aired a commercial-free telethon last night (Nov 2) live from storm-ravaged Staten Island, with Matt Lauer helming the celeb fest that urged viewers across America to pledge what they could and help the millions suffering from the storm.

Christina Aguilera got things started, entering a dark stage and delivering a powerful, stripped down version of ‘Beautiful.’ After the Staten Island native’s performance, a rolling montage of just some of the destruction was played, ending with a still of the once bustling Jersey Shore, after which Jersey native Jon Bon Jovi gave acoustic performances of ‘Who Says You Can’t Go Home’ and ‘Living on a Prayer’ with guitarist Bob Bandiera and Lorenza Ponce on the violin.

Continue reading: Stars Show Support For Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together Telethon

Christina Aguilera opened the highly publicised charity telethon, "Hurricane Sandy: Come Together", in aid of the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. It was a fitting role for the singer and 'The Voice' coach, as she was born and raised on Staten Island, which is one of the areas most affected by the enormous storm.

"I was born in Staten Island" she began, addressing the crowd. "We are here for you. We will do whatever we can to help. We will not leave any one of you behind, because every single one of you matters." She then broke into a heart wrenching rendition of 'Beautiful'. Other acts that followed included Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel and Aerosmith. "Today" hody Matt Lauer said that it was easy to get everyone on board, mostly requiring "one phone call". 

CBS news reports some very generous commercial donations already pledged, including $1m from the CBS themselves, $2m from Disney, and a further $1m from News Corp. Celebrities all over the US are tweeting support for the telethon, particularly the Jersey Shore stars who found their own fame in New Jersey. Before taking to the stage, Christina left a tweet, saying "Sending my love and support to everyone on the east coast who's been affected. Thinking of u all. XoXtina" 

Bruce Springsteen has been confirmed as one of the major US acts to play a benefit concert for the victims of Hurricane Sandy, which has blighted the East coast of the United States this week. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be joined by Christina Aguilera, Billy Joel, Sting and Bon Jovi for the televised special, which will air on Friday (November 2, 2012). It will be hosted by Matt Lauer (of the Today show) and the late night chat show host Jimmy Fallon will be making an appearance, as will NBC News’ Brian Williams.

The money collected from the event will be donated to the American Red Cross, who are organising relief efforts for those affected by the devastating storm, as well as other disasters. The Red Cross will provide food, shelter, emotional support and other services to those affected by Hurricane Sandy. After Hurricane Katrina, in 2005, a similar benefit concert raised around $50 million for the Red Cross.

The concert, named ‘Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together’ will air at 8pm EST on Friday, on ET on NBC, NBC.com, USA Network, SyFy, MSNBC, CNBC, Bravo, E!, Style Network, G4 and more.” However, a spokesperson for NBC Universal has told the New York Times that any channels not owned by NBC will not be able to air the concert.

'New York State Of Mind' singer, Billy Joel, has confessed to an embarrassing suicide attempt in his early 20s, when he tried to poison himself. His failure came when he made the decision to drink furniture polish instead of bleach as it would "probably taste better". The failed suicide attempt luckily came after his band's first album failed, and his romance ended.

Related: Gershwinner: Our Top 5 Billy Joel Songs

After Atilla's first album flopped, Joel apparently raided the cupboards in his mother's house in a desperate bid to find poison. Joel confessed to 'Details' magazine that: "I was suicidal.... I just figured the world didn't need another failed musician. You take yourself so seriously - you've got your head so far up your ass you can't see straight."

Continue reading: Billy Joel Explains His Dark, Yet Comic, Failed Suicide Attempt

Adam Levine, the frontman for Maroon 5, recently broke a pact with the band when he told the singer Billy Joel about the meaning behind the band's name. Until now, only the members of Maroon 5 actually knew the meaning behind the name.

The revelation only came after Joel offered to tell Levine a similar secret. In a recent interview, Levine stated, "I'm a huge Billy Joel fan. I was having dinner at Nobu in New York, and I ran into Jay-Z, who I'd just met, and he introduced me to Billy. I had to ask him, 'What do you say in the sax solo in Still Rock And Roll?, because I thought he said, 'All right, Rico.' He was astonished. He took a second and said, 'All right, Rico.'"

It was this secret that led to Levine disclosing the reason behind the band's name. He continued on to explain "Later he came over and asked, 'Where'd you get the name?' It's the stupidest, s**tiest story you've ever heard, but I had to tell him."