Famous American singer, songwriter, and pianist, Billy Joel, performed his final show of his residency at Madison Square Garden in New York City on July 25, 2024. This event marked his 150th concert at Madison Square Garden and the end of his 10-year residency. In celebration of Joel’s legacy there, Jimmy Fallon presented him with a banner as well as Axl Rose and Joel’s daughters joined him on stage.
“I haven’t seen him in concert, but I would really like to,” says recent Billy Joel fan, Kendall Link (9). Joel’s retirement has been especially meaningful to Link, “I’m just devastated that he is retiring from Madison Square Garden because I would’ve loved to see him there and see him perform with his piano. I started becoming a fan of him at the beginning of this year when I saw videos on TikTok of him playing at Madison Square Garden.”
Billy Joel’s first show at Madison Square Garden was on December 14, 1978. However, Joel’s residency began at the beginning of 2014 and marked the biggest run at the venue. Over the last 10 years, he has brought many special guests into his show and provided a photo station where fans could write to him.
“I have seen him in concert three times, I’ve seen him back in the 80s and in the 90s I saw him,” states longtime fan of Billy Joel, Joseph Kavanaugh (history teacher). In response to his retirement from Madison Square Garden, Kavanaugh says, “Well I’m sure that the people in New York are sad about it but I’m glad that he continues to tour and is still very active.”
While this may be the end of Joel’s time at Madison Square Garden, he continues to tour and perform in other venues. His legacy at Madison Square Garden was one that will be remembered and appreciated for many years to come.
