Billy Joel Has Been Put On Vocal Rest Due To A Viral Infection

Billy Joel was given “voice rest owing to a viral virus,” and as a result, his final Madison Square Garden performance of the year has been postponed.

The 73-year-old rock hero had been scheduled to perform the 86th performance of his run at the venerable New York theater on Monday night (19.12.22), but he has been forced to move the event to June 2.

“I’m disappointed to share that I’m under doctor’s instructions for vocal rest due to a viral infection thus unfortunately, I must postpone my Monday, December 19th engagement at Madison Square Garden to June,” the “Piano Man” wrote in a statement on social media.

I’m sorry to have to inform you this close to the show’s day, but I had hoped to be nearing full recovery by this point. That, sadly, hasn’t happened. I’m excited to see you in the coming year.

Billy has played a staggering 131 times at MSG, which is the most shows ever.

He is scheduled to perform again on January 13.

Billy will perform at American Express Presents BST Hyde Park again the following year.

His lone engagement in Europe in 2023 will be the performance on July 7.

A Billy Joel biopic is currently under production.

Adam Ripp has been chosen to write and direct the film “Piano Man,” which is being created by Michael Jai White’s Jaigantic Studios.

The movie will chronicle Billy’s early years, including his discovery by his first manager Irwin Mazur when he was 16 years old, his performances with a Long Island cover band in the 1960s, and the breakthrough performance in 1972 that caught the notice of renowned record producer Clive Davis.

However, Billy’s agent claims that the musician won’t be engaged in the film and that no rights to the singer’s music, name, likeness, or personal story would be given to the producers.

Instead, Jaigantic Studios has bought the life rights to Irwin, Billy’s manager from 1965 to 1972, the year before the release of his seminal single and album “Piano Man.”

The producers state that the music requirements for the movie are “still to be resolved.”

Jaigantic Studios, together with producers White, Mayne Berke, and Donovan de Boer – in addition to Irwin and Ripp – will serve as executive producers on “Piano Man.”

Billy’s first record deal as a solo artist was signed by Ripp’s father Artie, who also produced his debut album, “Cold Spring Harbor,” in 1971.

In a statement, he said: “My father signed Billy Joel to his record company when I was four years old; his music is embedded in my DNA. It has always been my passion as a filmmaker to investigate and honor the unsung narrative of how Billy Joel became the Piano Man.”

Irwin continued: “What a wonderful reality! These are the actual incidents that I saw first-hand transform Billy into the legendary musician, singer-songwriter, and performer who today excites audiences all over the world. Billy was a keyboard player in the little Long Island band The Hassles at the time.”

Billy Joel Has Been Put On Vocal Rest Due To A Viral Infection

Billy Joel was given “voice rest owing to a viral virus,” and as a result, his final Madison Square Garden performance of the year has been postponed.

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