Billy Joel shocked fans during his recent appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert when he announced that he would no longer be arriving at his Madison Square Garden gigs by helicopter. This surprising revelation came as a bittersweet announcement alongside the news that Joel would be ending his decade-long residency at MSG on July 25th, marking his 150th performance at the iconic venue.
When asked why he made the decision to stop taking the helicopter, Joel explained, “I got a little freaked out sometimes with the turbulence in the helicopter.” Instead, he now opts for a more practical mode of transportation, stating, “Now I take the Long Island Railroad. You just go to the bottom of Madison Square Garden and take the railroad from there. The train lets you off right there.”
Colbert couldn’t help but tease the legendary musician, throwing out alternative travel suggestions like taking a Greyhound bus or even driving in New York traffic. However, Joel stood firm in his decision, highlighting the hassle of going from being adored on stage to just another commuter in traffic. “I was just Mussolini, what happened to me?” he jokingly exclaimed.
During the interview, Joel also shared an interesting tidbit about his concert seating arrangements. Approximately 20 years ago, he made the decision to stop selling the front row tickets to prevent scalpers from reselling them at exorbitant prices. Instead, he sends his road crew to the back of the room with fistfuls of tickets, bringing the real fans up to the front. According to Joel, this creates a more authentic and enthusiastic atmosphere, making the concert experience more enjoyable for both the audience and himself.
The Late Show episode featuring Joel’s interview will also hold significance as it marks the filming of Billy Joel‘s 100th concert during his residency at Madison Square Garden. This special concert will be documented by CBS and is set to air on April 14th. With nearly 2 million tickets sold throughout his residency, it’s clear that Joel’s impact on the music scene is far from fading.
Fans of Billy Joel will undoubtedly be sad to see his residency come to an end, but as he expressed during the interview, “We’ve been there for 10 years, and I don’t want to outstay my welcome. I thought, you know, better to leave before they kick you out.” Joel’s legacy at Madison Square Garden is undeniably impressive, and his final gig in this residency is sure to be an unforgettable event.
Catch the full interview with Billy Joel on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to see the beloved musician discuss his career, his love for performing, and his reasons for bidding farewell to his iconic residency at Madison Square Garden.
