Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast

This week, Michael and Jack survey their favorite lyrical passages in Billy Joel songs to discuss what they love about them and uncover the themes, ideas, and literary devices that tie them together.  ------   Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.glasshousespod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter / X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Support the podcast: Paypal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.me/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re joined by acclaimed singer-songwriter Matt Nathanson for a lively, candid conversation about his deep connection to the music of Billy Joel. Fresh off his appearance at the all-star Carnegie Hall tribute, The Music of Billy Joel, Matt takes us inside the unforgettable night—sharing stories from the stage, the electric atmosphere in the room, and what it meant to perform classics like “I Go to Extremes” and “Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)” in such a legendary venue. We dig into his brand new six-song EP, Songs In The (M)attic, which finds Matt reimagining Billy Joel classics through his own lens, balancing reverence with fresh perspective. Matt also talks about watching the recent Billy Joel: And So It Goes documentary, which helped him reconnect with his longtime love for Billy and set the stage for everything that followed. Listen to Matt Nathanson's Songs In The (M)attic HERE. ------   Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.glasshousespod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter / X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Support the podcast: Paypal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.me/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we bring you part 2 of our 2-part discussion with recording engineer Scott James. During his tenure under Phil Ramone and Jim Boyer at A&R Recording in New York, Scott served as the assistant engineer on Billy Joel's "An Innocent Man" album. We talk with Scott about he and the team's approach to recording and overdubs on "An Innocent Man," the personalities inside the studio, and some of Scott's work after leaving A&R. ------   Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.glasshousespod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter / X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Support the podcast: Paypal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.me/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we bring you part 1 of our 2-part discussion with recording engineer Scott James. During his tenure under Phil Ramone and Jim Boyer at A&R Recording in New York, Scott served as the assistant engineer on Billy Joel's "An Innocent Man" album. We talk with Scott about breaking into the industry and his memories of working with Billy. Listen to Matt Nathanson's cover of "Uptown Girl." Matt Nathanson's performance of "Miami 2017" courtesy of Live Music Junkie ------   Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.glasshousespod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter / X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Support the podcast: Paypal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.me/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we head back to December 11, 1977 as we dive into into an stellar soundboard recording / radio broadcast from The Stranger Tour at Nassau Coliseum on Long Island in New York. We are joined by our friend and fellow musician J. Tom Hnatow. Tom and his friends warmly welcomed us to Lexington Kentucky last year to emcee a tribute concert for their late friend and friend of the podcast, Robby Cosenza. Listen to the concert here courtesy of Activer Music. The Band: Billy Joel - Piano, Keyboards, Vocals Richie Cannata - Saxophone, Flute, Keyboard, Vocals Doug Stegmeyer - Fender Bass, Vocals Frank Vento - Electric & Acoustic Guitars Liberty DeVitto - Drums Steve Kahn - Guitar on "Get It Right The First Time" Setlist: 1. The Stranger 2. Somewhere Along the Line 3. Summer, Highland Falls 4. Piano Man 5. Scenes From an Italian Restaurant 6. Travelin' Prayer 7. Movin' Out (Anthony’s Song) 8. Still Crazy After All These Years 9. Just the Way You Are 10. Prelude / Angry Young Man 11. New York State of Mind 12. The Entertainer 13. Vienna 14. Root Beer Rag 15. She’s Always a Woman 16. I’ve Loved These Days 17. Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway) 18. The Ballad of Billy the Kid 19. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 20. Captain Jack 21. Say Goodbye to Hollywood 22. Only the Good Die Young 23. Get It Right the First Time (with steve khan) 24. Souvenir ------   Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.glasshousespod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter / X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Support the podcast: Paypal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.me/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our last episode, Bradshaw Leigh walked us through remixing classic Billy Joel albums in Dolby Atmos. This week, we're diving deep into his mixes with a listen through in the Dolby Atmos Room at Montgomery County Community College. Recorded by Matt Frankl at Montgomery County Community College in Pennsylvania on June 5, 2025. Edited by Jack Firneno Mixed by Michael Grosvenor ------   Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.glasshousespod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter / X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Support the podcast: Paypal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.me/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’re joined by audio engineer and friend of the podcast Bradshaw Leigh for an in-depth conversation on the technology behind Dolby Atmos and his work remixing eight of Billy Joel’s albums in the immersive format. ------   Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.glasshousespod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter / X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Support the podcast: Paypal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.me/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we sit down with Jesse Jackson, host of Setlusting Bruce: The Bruce Springsteen Fan Podcast. We are also joined by author and historian Jim Cullen as we unpack the parallels and differences between the music and career arks of Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel. ------   Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.glasshousespod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter / X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Support the podcast: Paypal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.me/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we sit down with John Jackson, Director of the Billy Joel Archive as we talk through his work and look ahead to what they're working on for 2026. ------   Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.glasshousespod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter / X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Support the podcast: Paypal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.me/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2025 was quite the busy year for us.. From all of our work and adventures around the new Billy Joel documentary to our travel adventures around that, our Metallica concert adventure and an amazing experience emceeing an event for a wonderful musician and listener we lost nearly 2 years ago. Join us as we recap our 2025 and look ahead to 2026. ------   Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.glasshousespod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter / X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Support the podcast: Paypal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.me/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode, we are joined by our friends and fellow collectors and archivists Jeff Fisher & Jenni Nordaby. We discuss our methods and process over time as well as what got us into collecting as well as revisiting a little about our work together on the Billy Joel: And So It Goes documentary. ------   Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.glasshousespod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter / X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Support the podcast: Paypal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.me/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we journey back to December 14, 1982 as we dip into an audience recording from The Nylon Curtain Tour at The Forum in Inglewood, California, just outside of Los Angeles. Listen to the concert here courtesy of Activer Music. The Band: Billy Joel - Piano, Vocals Liberty DeVitto - Drums Doug Stegmeyer - Bass, Vocals David Brown - Lead Guitar, Vocals Russell Javors - Rhythm Guitar, Vocals Mark Rivera - Saxophone, Percussion, Keyboards, Vocals Dave Lebolt - Synthesizers, Keyboards Setlist: 1. Chain Gang (Intro) (Tape) 2. Allentown 3. My Life 4. Prelude / Angry Young Man 5. Piano Man 6. Don't Ask Me Why 7. The Stranger 8. Scandinavian Skies 9. Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) 10. She's Always a Woman 11. Pressure 12. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 13. Scenes From an Italian Restaurant 14. Just the Way You Are 15. Goodnight Saigon 16. Stiletto 17. Band Intros 18. Until the Night 19. It's Still Rock and Roll to Me 20. Sometimes a Fantasy 21. Big Shot 22. You May Be Right 23. Only the Good Die Young 24. Say Goodbye to Hollywood ------   Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.glasshousespod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter / X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Support the podcast: Paypal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.me/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we sit down to dive into the 2014 Jim Brown directed documentary Billy Joel - A Matter Of Trust: The Bridge To Russia, which gives a fresh perspective on Billy Joel's landmark 1987 of Moscow and Leningrad. ------   Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.glasshousespod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter / X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Support the podcast: Paypal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.me/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Purchase Ashton Allen's 'Dewdrops' 20th Anniversary vinyl edition HERE. Michael Grosvenor here. Every so often, Jack or I will do what we call a “Side Quest” episode. It’s a chance for one of us to give the other a break and dive deep into a topic outside of Billy Joel, or sit down with a friend. This episode is a little of both. I’m joined by Ashton Allen, a fantastic singer, songwriter, human being. And a dear friend. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Dewdrops, Ashton’s debut solo album. To celebrate, we are reissuing the album for the first time on vinyl (available at https://ashtonallen.myshopify.com ), complete with bonus tracks, digital extras, and its long overdue return to streaming platforms. Initially, this intimate, deeply personal collection was never meant for public release. The songs grew from journal entries written in the lead-up to and aftermath of his departure from his longtime band, Big Sky. They blossomed into songs during the quiet, uncertain, and contemplative time after that. When those demos landed at the newly formed Livewire Recordings almost by accident, they were still just the private work of one musician trying to find his footing again. But with support from friends and a label that recognized their potential, they became the first bold steps of a songwriter taking the spotlight.  What began as uncertain and impossible turned into a defining moment that built a passionate fan base and launched Ashton Allen’s solo career. Ashton and I go way back - about 25 years - to when I first worked with Big Sky, the rock band from Gainesville, Florida, where he played bass. The band released 6 albums between 1995 and 2005 before he left.  Over the past six months, Ashton and I have been working together on the reissue. Now that the album is streaming and available now for purchase at https://ashtonallen.myshopify.com , we sat down to reminisce about that time in our lives, the making of Dewdrops, and how his early career led to his solo debut. What started as a catch-up between two old friends became a rare, candid look at the personal and professional journey behind a life in music. ------   Email us: ⁠[email protected]⁠   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: ⁠https://www.glasshousespod.com⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/⁠ Discord: ⁠https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T⁠   Support the podcast: Paypal: ⁠https://paypal.me/glasshousespod⁠ Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us as we unpack and rank Billy Joel’s 13 appearances on the Billboard Hot 100 Top Ten Charts. Pre-Order Ashton Allen's 'Dewdrops' on Limited edition vinyl here: https://ashtonallen.myshopify.com ------   Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.glasshousespod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter / X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Support the podcast: Paypal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.me/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

------   Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.glasshousespod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter / X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Support the podcast: Paypal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.me/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

------   Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.glasshousespod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter / X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Support the podcast: Paypal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.me/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recording engineer Brad Leigh touched nearly every song Billy recorded as part of his work restoring and remixing music for the HBO Max documentary "Billy Joel: And So It Goes." We're rounding out our coverage of the doc with our thoughts on Part Two, our conversation with Brad, and more details from archivist John Jackson and production designer Steve Cohen about the upcoming Live at Sparks release in 2026. Music courtesy of Sony Music. ------   Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.glasshousespod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter / X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Support the podcast: Paypal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.me/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It took nearly five years to find and restore all the archival footage and audio in the five hour HBO documentary "Billy Joel: And So It Goes."  John Jackson, the director of Billy Joel's archive, talks about tracking down footage, solving mysteries,  restoring damaged film reels, and his part in compiling the 10-hour "And So It Goes" companion album. Music courtesy of Sony Music. ------   Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.glasshousespod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter / X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Support the podcast: Paypal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.me/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Cohen brought 50 years of experience working with Billy Joel to his role as an executive producer on the HBO documentary "Billy Joel: And So It Goes." Steve talks about getting the often-private Billy to let filmmakers Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin tell the full story of his life and music. He also teases a new archival release that's been on fans' wishlists for years, and draws the connection between Frank Sinatra and his team's unprecedented 10-hour companion album to the film. Images Courtesy of HBO and Myrna Suarez Music courtesy of Sony Music. ------   Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.glasshousespod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter / X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Support the podcast: Paypal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.me/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To celebrate the release of the HBO documentary “Billy Joel: And So It Goes,” we’re going behind the scenes with directors Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin.  We’re also getting behind the keyboards with Billy Joel fans who reacted in real time to Part One of the film starting when it officially dropped at 8pm EST on Friday, July 18, 2025.  And, coinciding with the release, we’re also reviewing the latest album and streaming sales numbers and gold and platinum certifications for Billy’s songs and albums.  There’s much more to come in our cover of Part Two. But for now, join us as we dig deep into Part One of “Billy Joel: And So It Goes.”  Images & documentary clips Courtesy of HBO. Music courtesy of Sony Music. ------   Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.glasshousespod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter / X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Support the podcast: Paypal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.me/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Billy Joel's biggest fans know Jon Small as the drummer for The Hassles and Attila, the bands the two played in as teenagers and young adults in Long Island.  Some may even recognize Small's further contributions to Billy's career as the director or producer of virtually all Billy's music videos and concert movies. But, his behind-the-camera impact on popular music goes far beyond just one artist.  As one of the first music video directors and producers of the MTV era, Small helped define the format with landmark videos and live concert recordings for everyone from the Beach Boys to Aerosmith and Run DMC to Shania Twain and Kenny Chesney.  In June of 2025, Small spoke with Glass Houses on the eve of the Hassles’ induction into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame.  We published the first part of that conversation two episodes ago. Now, we're revisiting the rest of our fascinating, freewheeling fireside chat as Jon chronicled his almost accidental foray into music videos, and stories behind some of the biggest videos of the MTV era and beyond . In July of 2025, Jon Small was honored by the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame when the Hall inducted the Hassles.  A staple of the greater New York music scene in the late 60s, the group is best known today for featuring a teenage Billy Joel.  Jon Small was the drummer, and he amd Billy went on to form the short-lived Attila before Billy launched his solo career.   ------   Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.glasshousespod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter / X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Support the podcast: Paypal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.me/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Last Play At Shea” promised to tell the story of Billy Joel’s historic back-to-back 2008 concerts at the iconic Long Island baseball stadium. But it’s not long into the running time that the story becomes much larger than one of music’s biggest stars performing at one of the country’s most legendary venues.  After quickly establishing how Billy’s shows will be the last performances at Shea Stadium, the 2010 documentary explains just why it’s so significant. As a companion to the concert film “Live at Shea Stadium,” “Last Play at Shea” explores the stadium’s origin, cultural significance, and historic moment.  It also tells the concurrent story of Billy’s journey from a kid on Long Island to regional teenage rock and roll royalty, and the often rocky road that led to his current status as one of the 21st century’s most recognized songwriters.  Join us as we dig deep into the stories, history, and highlights of Shea Stadium and Billy Joel. ------   Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.glasshousespod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter / X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Support the podcast: Paypal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.me/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been a busy month in the Billy Joel world – and Michael and Jack were there for it.  June kicked off with the premier of the “Billy Joel: And So It Goes” documentary at the Beacon Theatre in New York City. As the first event for this year’s Tribeca Film Festival, the red carpet features A-list celebrities like Tom Hanks and Robert De Niro along with many familiar faces and names for Billy fans.  Next, Billy’s team also announced new vinyl releases. And, later in the month, Billy’s pre-solo Long Island band The Hassles will be inducted into the Long Island Music &  Entertainment Hall of Fame.  This episode features a roundup of all these events with some special guests.  First up, Jon Small, drummer for The Hassles, longtime Billy Joel production team member, and celebrated music video director, talks about The Hassles’ Hall of Fame induction and tells some great stories from the band’s heyday.  Following that is a roundup of the Glass Houses coverage of the Beacon Theatre red carpet including some interview clips.  Lastly, a recap of the team’s time in New York, as told by the hosts and Jeff Fisher, Jenni Nordaby, and Alexis Parente, who were also along for the visit.  Join us as we dive deep into celebrity moments, world premiers, industry afterparties, renowned recording studios, fireside stories, and more. ------   Email us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.glasshousespod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter / X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠  Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠   Support the podcast: Paypal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.me/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A 1972 Billy Joel performance doesn’t sound like the concerts he’s been performing over the last 50 years. Instead, two live recordings from that year reveal an artist still finding his way – even if a few key elements were already in place.  That year, Billy opened for Taj Mahal at the Boarding House in San Francisco on January 22. Then, he played the ill-fated and mostly-forgotten Mar Y Sol Pop Festival in Puerto Rico on April 2. The lineup is his first core live band: Al Hertzberg on guitar, Rhys Clark on drums, and Larry Russell on bass.  Despite releasing his first solo album, Cold Spring Harbor, at the end of 1971, these shows barely acknowledge those recordings. Instead, he showcases two songs that would end up on his next record and go on to become fan favorites and concert staples. And, his first foray into an international festival foreshadowed his future engagements in Cuba and the USSR.  In just a few months, Billy’s performance with this group and a similar setlist at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia would be the stepping stone to his now-classic Piano Man album. But for now, these two concert recordings show a young solo artist fighting to find his identity and forge his own path in the music world. Audio courtesy of Activer Music. - Billy Joel - Live At The Boarding House, San Francisco (January 22, 1972) - Billy Joel - Live At Mar y Sol Pop Festival, Vega Baja, Puerto Rico ( April 2, 1972) ------   Email us: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.glasshousespod.com⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/⁠⁠⁠ Twitter / X: ⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠  Discord: ⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠   Support the podcast: Paypal: ⁠⁠⁠https://paypal.me/glasshousespod⁠⁠⁠ Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1992 wasn’t a prolific year for Billy, nestled between the end of one of his longest tours supporting a monster hit album and releasing his final pop album the next year.  But, his decisions here would determine the next phase of his career. Throughout the year, he spent just as much time looking to the past as he did preparing for his future.  It was the year Billy began working on River Of Dreams while various record companies released his work from the late 60s with The Hassles and Attila. His only new releases were a trio of songs for movie soundtracks, each written before he became a musician, as Paul Simon inducted him into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.  These and other events, releases, and milestones found Billy spending 1992 stuck somewhere between an elder statesman of music and a brash kid still playing rock and roll. ------   Email us: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: ⁠⁠https://www.glasshousespod.com⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/⁠⁠ Twitter / X: ⁠⁠https://x.com/glasshousespod⁠⁠  Discord: ⁠⁠https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod⁠⁠   Support the podcast: Paypal: ⁠⁠https://paypal.me/glasshousespod⁠⁠ Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Billy Joel banked on his recent success when he wrote and recorded the 1980 album Glass Houses. The songs were much more streamlined and guitar-driven than his previous two platinum-selling releases, and arranged to be played in arenas and coliseums rather than theaters and colleges.  But, just as the record’s New Wave leanings drew ire from the critics, the Glass Houses tour received mixed reactions. Almost every pundit who applauded Joel’s songwriting and his band’s energy was met by another who felt the songs were hollow and the shows lackluster. Of course, many of the songs are still concert staples today. And, Billy still sells out the world’s largest and most celebrated venues 45 years after their release.  That makes it even harder to believe Billy’s 8 plus-month, worldwide tour from 1980 to 1981 could have been his last run at the superstar level. Join us, as we explore the dates, setlists, and reviews of Billy Joel’s Glass Houses tour. ------   Email us: ⁠[email protected]⁠   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: ⁠https://www.glasshousespod.com⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/⁠ Twitter / X: ⁠https://x.com/glasshousespod⁠  Discord: ⁠https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T⁠ Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod⁠   Support the podcast: Paypal: ⁠https://paypal.me/glasshousespod⁠ Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we know Glass Houses as one of Billy Joel’s biggest albums. The 1980 release became his third-consecutive album to quickly go platinum. It kept the band playing some of the biggest venues in the world, and features a handful of songs that are still  live staples. At the time, however, it was a drastic departure from Billy’s previous hit records. He’d shed much of the classical and jazz influences that marked The Stranger and 52nd Street. The scaled-back arrangements reflected then-modern New Wave and Power Pop with a more stripped-down and guitar-driven approach.  It was the first time in arguably a decade that Billy made a conscious effort to create an album based on the popular music of the time. As a result, more critics were lukewarm, and even hostile, to the songs.  Over time, the record cemented its status as a seminal release. After all, it’s the one we named this podcast after. Now, we’re finally giving it an official listen-through.  Join us as we drop the needle on Billy Joel’s 1980 album Glass Houses. ------   Email us: [email protected]   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: https://www.glasshousespod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/ Twitter / X: https://x.com/glasshousespod  Discord: https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod   Support the podcast: Paypal: https://paypal.me/glasshousespod Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Billy Joel’s 1980 release, Glass Houses, is considered classic rock in 2025. But at the time,  listeners and critics heard a huge leap into then-current New Wave – and not necessarily a good one.  The album was a stripped-down departure from the more lush arrangements on the Stranger and 52nd Street, released in 1977 and 1978  respectively. Some contemporary reviewers applauded the songwriting and genre hopping. Others, expecting something closer to Steely Dan or Dire Straits, were disappointed to hear songs much more informed by Elvis Costello and The Knack.  Ultimately, Glass Houses spawned several hit songs and concert staples including You May Be Right, Don’t Ask Me Why, and It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me. It continued Joel’s streak of chart-toppers and platinum-selling albums, and is still one of his most popular releases. In our second of four Glass Houses episodes, we’re comparing what the critics had to say in print, and how listeners responded with album and ticket sales. Join us as we dig deep into the initial mixed reception and ultimate triumph of this classic album. ------   Email us: [email protected]   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: https://www.glasshousespod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/ Twitter / X: https://x.com/glasshousespod  Discord: https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod   Support the podcast: Paypal: https://paypal.me/glasshousespod Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With a pair of award-winning, chart-topping albums under his belt, Billy Joel entered A&R Recording in 1979 with the intention of abandoning the sound that made him a superstar. He did so by showcasing the musicians who were instrumental to his success.  The result was Glass Houses. Released on March 12, 1980, the album lurched Billy out of the classically-informed, jazz-influenced, singer-songwriter idiom he’d cultivated over three releases. Written in the wake of Punk and New Wave, his first record of the decade was stripped down, guitar-focussed and often confrontational.  Glass Houses was the second of Billy’s solo albums, and his first since 1976 to not use session musicians. With the backing  tracks recorded almost completely live, it put his tight knit backing band, now known as the Lords of 52nd Street, front and center.  The stylistic shift yielded a platinum-selling record with a handful of Top Ten hits and concert staples to this day. It also set the precedent for Billy’s genre-hopping success throughout the 80s. But, in retrospect, it was an album that could have flopped, and one that could only have been successful in a brief timeframe.  In our first of four episodes covering Glass Houses, we’ll explore the making of the record, from what was on the charts at the time, to how the songs evolved from rough demos to polished gems, and when and how the band put it all together.  Join us as we dig deep into the making of Glass Houses.  ------   Email us: [email protected]   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: https://www.glasshousespod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/ Twitter / X: https://x.com/glasshousespod  Discord: https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod   Support the podcast: Paypal: https://paypal.me/glasshousespod Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even though Billy Joel was a superstar by the 1980s, he still had to promote each new album. That included appearances on late night television shows.  Billy was never a fan of music videos or performing on television, saying music shouldn’t have to be a visual art. But as the landscape of late night shows changed over the years, he found more opportunities that suited his style.  He offset his spotlight moments on Late Night with David Letterman by sitting in with Paul Schaffer’s famed house band. His revamped live band got the spotlight in late 80s and early 90s Saturday Night Live appearances. Later, Billy debuted new songs and revisited his back catalog with his live band and members of the show’s musical groups while visiting other late-night hosts.  Then, as his 2010s renaissance blossomed with his Madison Square Garden residency, Billy guested on network programs that made the cultural leap into online and viral videos.  Join us as we dig deep into Billy Joel’s late night TV appearances from 1986 to 2024. ------   Email us: [email protected]   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: https://www.glasshousespod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/ Twitter / X: https://x.com/glasshousespod  Discord: https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod   Support the podcast: Paypal: https://paypal.me/glasshousespod Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With more than 50 years of performances as a solo artist, Billy Joel’s songs and stage show have evolved alongside the formats for musical performances on late night television programs. Spots like these have always been valuable for developing artists to introduce themselves to new audiences. More established musicians often appear on them near the promotional kickoff for a new album or tour.  Over the next two episodes, we’re exploring Billy Joel’s appearances on late night TV. Our first installment follows Billy as a budding singer-songwriter in the early 1970s, performing on a handful of post-primetime shows featuring live rock and roll performances.  Billy was never a fan of television appearances, and even early in his career, he bends their formats whenever he can.  Along with fiery renditions of his early songs, Billy uses his airtime to defend his positioning as compared to his contemporaries, do a few impressions and even jam on a few cover songs. Later, he fulfills the “Live” part of his second Saturday Night Live appearance, but does so from an unexpected location.  Join us as we dig deep into Billy Joel’s late night TV appearances from 1973 to 1982. ROBBY COSENZA / THE FANGED ROBOT ALBUM ------   Email us: [email protected]   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: https://www.glasshousespod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/ Twitter / X: https://x.com/glasshousespod  Discord: https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod   Support the podcast: Paypal: https://paypal.me/glasshousespod Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Late night television has been an important showcase for musical talent for well over half a century. The casts and crews make producing these shows seem effortless. But the truth is that it takes split-second timing and a tight knit team to get each episode on the air.  In this two-part series, we’re exploring Billy Joel’s late-night TV appearances from the mid 70s through the current decade. But before we dive deep into these performances, we’ll get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the machinery behind the broadcasts. First up is our conversation with audio engineer and Roots music supervisor Steve Mandel. A longtime friend of the podcast, Steve has worked with the hip hop group The Roots since the mid-90s. He and the band have collaborated on nearly 3,000 episodes of Jimmy Fallon’s late-night talk shows over the past 16 years.  In this episode, we explore the precise timing and careful choices that go into every episode. Steve also recounts his experiences meeting Billy the times he was a guest on the Tonight Show.  Join us as we dig deep into part 1of Billy Joel and late night TV. ------   Email us: [email protected]   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: https://www.glasshousespod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/ Twitter / X: https://x.com/glasshousespod  Discord: https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod   Support the podcast: Paypal: https://paypal.me/glasshousespod Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's felt like seven years since we've been trapped on this desert island with only 12 Billy Joel songs to listen to.  If you missed Part One of this series, Jack and I picked one song from each of Billy's studio pop albums that we would want if we were trapped on a desert island.  So far, we've gone from 1971's Cold Spring Harbor to 52nd Street in 1978. Along the way, we picked up on songwriting motifs and lyrical themes that span Billy's catalog.  Now, we're concluding our picks starting with Glass Houses in 1980 and continuing through 1993's River of Dreams. Join us as we dig deep into our Desert Island Billy Joel song picks. ------   Email us: [email protected]   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: https://www.glasshousespod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/ Twitter / X: https://x.com/glasshousespod  Discord: https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod   Support the podcast: Paypal: https://paypal.me/glasshousespod Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are the 12 Billy Joel songs you can't live without? That's what we are discussing over the next two episodes.  We picked one track from each pop studio album that we would want if we were trapped on a desert island. Our choices were rarely the hits, and not necessarily our favorite go-to songs, either. Ultimately, the exercise revealed new insights into Billy's songwriting style and common themes throughout his catalog.  Join us as we dig deep into our Desert Island Billy Joel song picks. ------   Email us: [email protected]   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: https://www.glasshousespod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/ Twitter / X: https://x.com/glasshousespod  Discord: https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod   Support the podcast: Paypal: https://paypal.me/glasshousespod Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We often record way more than we can release on our bi-weekly episodes. That's why we always save the last episode of the year for odds and ends It's our collection of outtakes and diversions that made for great conversation but wouldn't find a home in the episode we were recording. This year we've got two heaping spoonfuls: First is an impromptu discussion about record collections that became a eulogy of sorts for a musical Legend who passed away earlier this year.  Then we've got a second helping of our great conversation with Dan Orlando. It's a continuation of our previous episode with the piano player and singer for the Lords of 52nd Street that we published a few weeks ago. The turkey may need to be microwaved, but there's still plenty of meat on that bone. So join us as we raid the Tupperware for some great leftovers from 2024. ------   Email us: [email protected]   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: https://www.glasshousespod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/ Twitter / X: https://x.com/glasshousespod  Discord: https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod   Support the podcast: Paypal: https://paypal.me/glasshousespod Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since joining the Lords of 52nd Street in 2021, Dan Orlando's post as piano player and lead singer has become much more than a job, albeit a crucial one, in a legacy act. The group features the music of Billy Joel played by Liberty DeVitto, Richie Cannata and Russell Javors, who played live and in the studio on most of Billy's biggest hits. Over the last few years, the ties between Dan and his bandmates have extended far beyond their performances. The experience also rejuvenated his passion for writing, recording and producing new music. That includes Heritage Trail, Dan's most recent album, released earlier this year, and more recordings and collaborations on deck for 2025. In our conversation, Dan speaks about the impact his bandmates have had on him, discovering new aspects of songs he grew up on, and creating music for himself and others.  Join us as we catch up with The Lords of 52nd Street’s own Dan Orlando. More from Dan Orlando: https://danorlandojr.com ------   Email us: [email protected]   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: https://www.glasshousespod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/ Twitter / X: https://x.com/glasshousespod  Discord: https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@glasshousespod   Support the podcast: Paypal: https://paypal.me/glasshousespod Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The third disc of Billy Joel's My Lives Box Set reveals an aspect of his performances that the previous tracks only hinted at: His ability to channel other artists.  The first two discs of the four-CD/one-DVD set focuses on unreleased songs, alternate versions of well-known tracks, and compositions that evolved into songs that Billy eventually released.  Moments on those tracks hint at Billy's ability to mimic other singers. And the fact that his first drafts of songs are often written with different artists in mind.  These points come to the forefront on Disc Three, which spotlights cover songs that BIlly released in the 90s. They include cuts for movie soundtracks and additional tracks for his Greatest Hits Volume III release.  These previously-rare tracks offer a glimpse into how Billy could approach someone else's work. And, perhaps, an alternate version of where his career could have gone after River of Dreams.  Join us as we dig deep into My Lives: Disc Three ------   Email us: [email protected]   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: https://www.glasshousespod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/ Twitter / X: https://x.com/glasshousespod  Discord: https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T   Support the podcast: Paypal: https://paypal.me/glasshousespod Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In April of 1976, Billy Joel hit the road with the first incarnation of the now-legendary Lords of 52nd Street lineup. The band toured in support of the album Turnstiles, the first official audio document of this group. And, late that year, they recorded the first concert home video of Billy’s career.  That program, entitled “Billy Joel Tonight,” was filmed over two nights at the Palmer Auditorium in December. This band was already a cohesive unit when the tour began. But, after 8 months and dozens of shows, they were a unified force to be reckoned with for this recording.  The video was available only through Time Life, and has been out of print for decades. The closest official digital release are the individual songs on Billy’s YouTube channel. Still, it ranks with Live From Long Island and CW Post as a seminal live document.  For this episode, we’re listening along to the unedited, uninterrupted original video. It includes stage banter not on the YouTube videos.  Join us as we dig deep into Billy Joel Tonight: Live at Palmer Auditorium in New London, CT - December 5th and 6th, 1976. WATCH BILLY JOEL TONIGHT ------   Email us: [email protected]   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: https://www.glasshousespod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/ Twitter / X: https://x.com/glasshousespod  Discord: https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T   Support the podcast: Paypal: https://paypal.me/glasshousespod Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A storm arrived in Syracuse, NY in February of 1990 — two of them, actually.  The region was hit by a major storm, dumping more than eight inches of snow. At the same time, Billy Joel brought his Storm Front tour to the Carrier Dome.  This show was about two months into a string of dates that ended a two-year touring hiatus. And, it featured a lineup that was drastically different from his touring bands over the previous 14 years.  Taking place just a few months before the well-documented Yankee Stadium performances, the Syracuse show is a glimpse into a typical night on this tour. It’s also a snapshot of a short-lived lineup that also helped revamp Billy’s sound.  Join us as we dig deep into Billy Joel’s performance at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, NY, on February 2, 1990. WATCH THE BILLY JOEL SYRACUSE 1990 CONCERT HERE ------   Email us: [email protected]   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: https://www.glasshousespod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/ Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/glasshousespod  Discord: https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T   Support the podcast: Paypal: https://paypal.me/glasshousespod Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1989’s Storm Front album found Billy Joel charting a new course for his career. Gone were longtime collaborators, including producer Phil Ramone and key band members Russell Javors and Doug Stegmeyer.  Behind the scenes, Billy was embroiled in a lawsuit with his former manager as tens of millions of dollars hung in the balance. And, at least one song may allude to his marriage to Christie Brinkley already showing signs of strain.  Despite these shakeups and unforeseen challenges, Billy delivered yet another multi-platinum album that earned him a new generation of fans.  Co-produced by Billy and Mick Jones of the band Foreigner, the guitar-driven album was yet another abrupt stylistic turn in the 80s. And, listening to it 35 years later, it’s much more apparent that Storm Front was something of a high-wire act.  Surrounded by a different creative team in a quickly-changing musical landscape, Billy managed to update his sound without coming off as an old head trying to sound young. And, he notched another bona fide timeless classic in “We Didn't’ Start the Fire,” a song that still lives in pop culture today.  Alongside that single’s massive success are a handful of songs that in turn betray familiar themes, commentaries on then-current events, and a few fan favorites.  Join us, as we dig deep into Billy Joel’s 1989 album Storm Front. ------   Email us: [email protected]   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: https://www.glasshousespod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/ Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/glasshousespod  Discord: https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T   Support the podcast: Paypal: https://paypal.me/glasshousespod Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Depending on the time of year, 1974 is either a period of uncertainty in Billy Joel’s career, or the first signposts of the superstardom to come.  He begins the year touring behind the Piano Man record, which ultimately falls off the charts. Record label execs then hurry Billy into the studio to record what he regards as its lackluster follow-up Streetlife Serenade.  But by the end of 1974, Billy’s setting up for the success he’ll soon enjoy. Most notably, Doug Stegmeyer joins the band on the Streetlife Serenade tour. The bassist will go on to play with Billy for the next thirteen years. And, he’ll bring in many of the core members for Billy’s band in time for them to record and tour behind his next album, Turnstiles.  Press clippings from this year feature some of the first mentions of ideas and themes that will blossom over the next few decades. Reviewers note his penchant for energetic live shows and theatrical songwriting. In interviews, Billy also discusses his aspirations toward classical composers. It all adds up to a year that may seem low-key at first glance, but a closer look reveals the pieces falling into place for his upcoming reign at the top of the charts.  Join us as we dig deep into Billy Joel in 1974. Post-episode note - Michael mentions October 1, 1974 as the release date of Streetlife Serenade. It looks like he accidentally left off a '1' form his notes. The correct release date of Streetlife Serenade is October 11, 1974. ------   Email us: [email protected]   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: https://www.glasshousespod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/ Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/glasshousespod  Discord: https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T   Support the podcast: Paypal: https://paypal.me/glasshousespod Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fall of 2024 is upon us! What is typically time for our next playlist installment, we're adjusting the title and format of the series slightly and are happy to announce the Glass Houses Side Quests. Expanding the concept of the playlists, the options are limitless from more music concepts to long form conversations with friends, musicians, and other creatives. For this first installment, Michael is up with a conversation with music and fellow podcaster Clint Wells. Clint is a guitar player, singer, and songwriter and serves as the guitarist in the Morgan Wade band. Clint is also the host of the long-running podcast Metal Up Your Podcast, which celebrates all things Metallica. Enjoy! METAL UP YOUR PODCAST MORGAN WADE ------   Email us: [email protected]   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: https://www.glasshousespod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/ Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/glasshousespod  Discord: https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T   Support the podcast: Paypal: https://paypal.me/glasshousespod Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's an often-overlooked part of Billy Joel's rise to fame as a recording artist: His track record as a songwriter for others.  Before he was a superstar, Billy's songs were covered by dozens of performers from around the world. The trend arguably peaked in the late 70s with multiple renditions of his now-classic songs New York State of Mind and Just the Way You Are. But, the bulk of these recordings revolved around his earlier albums and lesser-known composition.  We covered a large sample of Billy Joel cover songs on a previous episode. This time, we're joined by the director of the Billy Joel archives, John Jackson. He put together an extensive list of pre-1980 recordings and tracked the trends surrounding them. In our conversation, he also provides insight and context about the recording industry's practices during this era.    Join us as we dig deep into cover versions of Billy Joel's songs from the 1970s. PLAYLIST : Billy Joel - 1970s Covers ------   Email us: [email protected]   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: https://www.glasshousespod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/ Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/glasshousespod  Discord: https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T   Support the podcast: Paypal: https://paypal.me/glasshousespod Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Billy Joel's 10-year monthly residency at Madison Square Garden is now in the past. But its legacy has been preserved for the public to enjoy. In fact, the same can be said for his entire career.   In this last installment of our series covering Billy at the Garden, we sit down for a lengthy interview with Steve Cohen. As Billy's lighting director for 50 years, Cohen also produced the CBS special documenting the 100th residency show.  The special, which aired in April 2024, is currently up for four Emmy awards. A few days after the nominations were announced, Cohen gave us an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at putting the show together - and a hint of what's to come.  We're also exploring the Billy Joel exhibit at the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame. Currently on display in Stony Brook, NY, it features hundreds of rare items from handwritten sheet music to a Grand piano.  Join us, as we dig deep into what goes into documenting Billy Joel’s historic Madison Square Garden residency, and his career as a whole. ------   Email us: [email protected]   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: https://www.glasshousespod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/ Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/glasshousespod  Discord: https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T   Support the podcast: Paypal: https://paypal.me/glasshousespod Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The opening strains of Miami 2017 took on a new meaning on July 25, 2024. It was the final show of Billy Joel’s 10-year monthly residency at Madison Square Garden, and the classic opener kicked off the night.  Suddenly, the song’s theme about thousands of people hunkering down to hear these songs for maybe the last time felt almost too real. While this certainly wasn’t Billy’s last show ever, it was the end of an era.  And, we were fortunate enough to be there for it. Michael flew in from the west coast for an extended visit that included a journey to Long Island and our first face-to-face meetings with many friends of the podcast.  The show itself was deceptively low-key. Aside from a few guests, there were no big surprises in the setlist. And there was little ruminating from the man himself about the unprecedented run. Instead, Billy and the band did what they do best: Put on a show that’s more intimate than in any other venue. One that’s become a pilgrimage for some and a ritual for others.  In this episode, we’ll discuss this performance and our recollection from being in the room when it happened. We’ll also discuss our Billy-related travels and meetups that, for us, became a part of the concert experience.  Join us as we dig deep into Billy Joel’s final Madison Square Garden Residency show. ------   Email us: [email protected]   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: https://www.glasshousespod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/ Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/glasshousespod  Discord: https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T   Support the podcast: Paypal: https://paypal.me/glasshousespod Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Starting in the mid-2000s, BIlly Joel cemented his Madison Square Garden legacy with two unprecedented engagements. The first was a dozen shows spread over 4 months in 2006. The setlists were filled with songs that were rarely, if ever performed live, and The recordings from these dates made up his live album 12 Gardens Live, released later the same year. Then came the residency: one show a month at the famed venue from 2014 through 2024, with the exception of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Billy’s team kicked off the series without an idea of how long it would last. Virtually all the shows were sellouts, and they were recognized especially for their frequent guest performers.  These two runs came after Billy went into quasi-retirement in the early 2000s. Now, with the residency closing this year, we’re diving deep into the second half of Billy Joel’s 150 shows at Madison Square Garden. Billy Joel Playlist of Madison Square Garden guests through the years Original Jim Bruer Audio & Video Kevin Bacon Billy Joel TikTok Video ------   Email us: [email protected]   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: https://www.glasshousespod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/ Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/glasshousespod  Discord: https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T   Support the podcast: Paypal: https://paypal.me/glasshousespod Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When BIlly Joel plays his final show at Madison Square Garden on July 25, 2024, he’ll be closing out a nearly 50-year run of shows. And, in this episode, we’re diving deep into the first half of that legacy.  Starting in December 1978, Billy has played multiple nights at the Garden on all but one album tour. His engagements also included Face to Face shows with Elton John and the Millenium Concert, which took place on New Year’s Eve 1999. Looking back on all those performances produces a time capsule of each era of his career: Which hits were most prominent on certain dates, which singles dropped off the setlists, and which songs cemented their places in history as they became fixtures at these shows.  Join us, for the first installment of a two-part look at BIlly Joel’s historic run at Madison Square Garden. ------   Email us: [email protected]   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: https://www.glasshousespod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/ Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/glasshousespod  Discord: https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T   Support the podcast: Paypal: https://paypal.me/glasshousespod Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Billy Joel’s groundbreaking 100th Madison Square Garden Residency Show was commemorated with an edited version of the concert airing on network television. The special entitled “The 100th: Billy Joel At Madison Square Garden” was broadcast in prime time on April 14, 2024 on CBS.  For fans, this was a step up in production from even the official concert clips on YouTube. The high-end production, song resequencing, and interviews with band, crew members and fans made this televised event much more than just concert footage. The special also chronicled one of the first live renditions of Turn the Lights Back On, Billy’s first  single release in 17 years.  And, it was a ratings success: More than 5.7 million viewers tuned in for the first airing, resulting in the special surpassing even the most popular holiday programming for viewership.  However, not everything went as planned: The concert was cut short by a few minutes on the East Coast to make way for the 11:00 news. Fan outcry prompted the network to re-air the special 5 days later.  Still, it’s a crystal-clear document of the current lineup, which has been in place for more than a decade. And, it’s a love letter of sorts to fans, with today’s high-end video technology able to spotlight the audience much better than in older concert videos.  These make the show worth the watch, even if you’ve heard all but one of the songs countless times. So join us as we dig deep into the television special, “The 100th: Billy Joel At Madison Square Garden.” ------   Email us: [email protected]   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: https://www.glasshousespod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/ Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/glasshousespod  Discord: https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T   Support the podcast: Paypal: https://paypal.me/glasshousespod Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to a recently-unearthed audience recording, fans can now hear Billy Joel's first performance at the legendary Madison Square Garden. The performance took place on December 14, 1978, more than a decade after Billy first took to a stage as a professional musician.  Listening to it in 2024, perhaps the most interesting aspect about Billy headlining one of the world's most renowned venues is how little he has to say about it. There's barely any stage banter, which had been a trademark of his shows for years. Concerts from previous tours were punctuated with jokes, offhand comments, and monologues.  Now, he only addresses the audience in a few brief moments. Fortunately, the music is there to do the talking. Billy's between-song improvisations and even a few extended jams on a few numbers seem to convey his emotions throughout the night.  It's not easy to describe in words. That's what music is for, after all. So join us, as we head back to the 52nd Street Tour and we dig deep into Billy Joel’s first show at Madison Square Garden on December 14, 1978. Audio courtesy of Paul Fierro - Listen to the full concert HERE. ------   Email us: [email protected]   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: https://www.glasshousespod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/ Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/glasshousespod  Discord: https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T   Support the podcast: Paypal: https://paypal.me/glasshousespod Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices