Billy Joel Back In Baltimore For Concert In July
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- For the first time in nearly 40 years, the piano man is coming to Baltimore. Billy Joel will play at M&T Bank Stadium this summer and is expected to bring some big bucks.
Meghan McCorkell has the details on the big show.
Billy Joel will be in town on July 25. He's expected to play to a sell out crowd.
An icon of the stage, filling stadiums around the world. Now, for the first time in nearly four decades, Billy Joel is coming to Baltimore.
"Baltimore is so proud to host one of the most popular and one of the most respected recording artists of all time," Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said.
The six-time Grammy winner will electrify crowds at M&T Bank Stadium in July.
"When we're on stage and it's cooking and the band is rocking and the audience is having a great time, that's fun," said Billy Joel.
The Saturday night show is expected to pack the more than 70,000 seats. And all those seats filled inside the stadium means big business outside.
"It's probably going to be a sellout over there. We're going to have a lot of people come and stay in hotel rooms and eat in restaurants," said Tom Noonan, Visit Baltimore.
In the past, shows like U2 and Justin Timberlake have been big wins for Baltimore.
"It was insane. It was like a football game. It was better than the Ravens playing here," said one concertgoer.
Last year's Beyonce and Jay-Z show brought in $6.6 million in total spending and $998,000 in tax revenue.
"When Beyonce came down here, you should have seen how packed it was," said Dan Worrell, Ryleigh's Oyster.
At Ryleigh's Oyster in Federal Hill, they're hoping Billy Joel brings in the same kind of business.
"He's going to hit it out of the park," said Worrell.
After the piano man leaves town, they'll gear up for another big show. Pop sensation "One Direction" takes the stadium stage in August.
This will be Billy Joel's first-ever large scale concert in the city of Baltimore.
Tickets will be available for the general public beginning Friday, Feb. 6 at 10 a.m. online.
American Express Card Members can purchase tickets early starting Monday, Feb 2 at 10 a.m. through Thursday, Feb. 5 at 10 p.m.