Billy Joel to wrap up Madison Square Garden residency in 2024
NEW YORK -- Billy Joel's historic monthly residency at Madison Square Garden will come to an end next year.
It was announced Thursday that Joel's show in July 2024, the milestone 150th concert of his career at the iconic venue, will be his final residency performance.
Joel was named the Garden's first-ever music franchise in December, 2013. He began his record-breaking residency in January 2014, playing one show a month at the venue.
Joel is a legendary musician who has become an integral part of New York's cultural identity. So it's fitting that his home has been at 33rd Street and Seventh Avenue in Manhattan for as long as it has.
"If you Google 'Billy Joel's house,' they show Madison Square Garden," Joel said.
He said his MSG residency wasn't initially meant to be this must-attend experience.
"It's hard to believe we've been able to do this for 10 years. I though there'd be an arc to it. We'd be able to sell well in the beginning and eventually it'll dwindle out. But it keeps selling and people keep coming and buying tickets," Joel said.
Seeing Joel at the Garden has become a New York attraction, because his songs have captured the essence of life in the Big Apple, telling stories of struggles and triumphs and everyday experiences of people who call the city home.
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His music has become the soundtrack to the lives of many New Yorkers. So his next step has a familiar refrain.
"I'm selling my house on Long Island, but I'm not leaving New York. I'm just spending a little more time down in Florida like old Jewish guys do from New York City," Joel said with a laugh.
In many ways Joel become the voice of New York, a symbol of our strength and resilience that has inspired generations to embrace the spirit of New York, a city that would rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints.
"I just want to thank everyone for the wonderful thing that's happened here. Thank you very much," Joel said.