No Fix Required: Billy Joel Ain't Broken

Billy Joel w/ Gavin DeGraw
Safeco Field, Seattle, WA
05.20.16

It’s been over 40 years since Billy Joel released his first hit record, “Piano Man,” in 1973, and the artist is still selling out stadiums on the strength of a best-selling back catalogue of tracks you can’t help but sing along with. These are songs that even if you weren’t around 40 years ago, you’ve heard them, you innately recognize them, you find yourself humming in public places. Joel knows it, and he brought it all, live to Seattle’s Safeco Field.

First, as the stadium slowly filled, opener Gavin DeGraw gave a short 30-minute set of his charming pop-rock hits. And though the crowd seemed underwhelmed at first, after his cover of Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed” and a high-security lap of the floor crowd, everyone was finally in on the action. He’ll be back in the area in September, touring with Andy Grammar.

By the time Joel took the stage for his two-plus-hour set, the stadium was packed and he kicked off the night with “Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway),” suited up like the gentleman that he is, earning an immediate ovation. Throughout the set of back-to-back hits, Joel made use of cover bits, from “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” to “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” each time, with a bit of jest, clearly he’s still having fun up on that stage.

In 2015, Joel broke Madison Square Gardon’s record for most performances by a single artist, beating out his buddy Sir Elton John, owing much to his monthly residency at the famed institution. And his practice proved perfect. A few songs in, Joel says, “We’re gonna do a song that goes back to 1975. It’s all old shit. I don’t have anything new for ya. Gonna dedicate this one to a guy who’s been very entertaining for the last few months. This is for Donald Trump.” And with that breaks into “The Entertainer,” to hoots and hollers from the crowd.

Joel had the crowd roaring a thunderous vote for both “Vienna” and “The Longest Time,” and he often allowed his full backing band to shine, performing saxophone and guitar solos that wiped the floor clean. Most notably, for a cover of ACDC’s “Highway to Hell” during which Joel took up an electric guitar, saying, “We’re gonna bring up a member of our stage crew. He’s been with us for about 40 years. If you don’t like what he’s doing feel free to boo him off the stage. Welcome our guitar roadie Chainsaw.” Well let’s just say, Chainsaw’s efforts – rocking out to the massive hit – were applaudable. He even went so far as to break out a fire extinguisher, spraying the stage in plumes, and then giving us a final mic drop.

But then back to Joel. While his vocal range may have waned a bit over the years, his fingers are still nimble, and his personality still big. The jumbotron screens would often pan to an overhead shot of his keyboard, and watching a master at work is a joy, anytime. At the end of the night, he breaks out his harmonica, the crowd lights up their phones, and he closes the set with “Piano Man.” A stellar five-song encore, though, sees him get goofy with a mic stand during “Uptown Girl” and “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me,” before he takes a knee, thanking the crowd.

While he might not tour the country very often, if you have the chance, a ticket to see Billy Joel live is a worthy investment.

Find yours here.

Billy Joel Set List
Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)
Pressure
Take Me Out to the Ball Game (Edward Meeker cover)
The Entertainer (dedicated to Donald Trump)
Vienna
Zanzibar
Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)
Your Song (Elton John cover)
The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Solomon Linda cover)
The Longest Time
The Downeaster Alexa
Say Goodbye to Hollywood
New York State of Mind
Allentown
And So It Goes
Ode to Joy / My Life
Sometimes a Fantasy
She’s Always a Woman
Don’t Ask Me Why
Highway to Hell (AC/DC cover)
We Didn’t Start the Fire
The River of Dreams (with “Purple Haze” by The Jimi Hendrix Experience snippet)
Scenes From an Italian Restaurant
Piano Man
Encore
Uptown Girl
It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me
Big Shot
You May Be Right
Only the Good Die Young