Billy Joel | The New York Observer

Billy Joel Sells Perry Street House to Ex-Wife Katie Lee for $3 M.

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:10:37 -0400

Anyone who's listened to Billy Joel's pleasant soft-rock piano ballads knows that life is hard, love dies, divorce is expensive, and material possessions like nice West Village real estate eventually crumble into sand. Earlier this year, Mr. Joel--who is either an evil overlord of sentimental schlock, a spoiled brat behind bulging eyes, or a genius with astonishing self-deprecation considering that he happens to be the sixth best-selling recording artist in history--announced his divorce from...

Scenes From an Italian Opera Opening: Joel, LeeLee, Others Take in 'Tosca' at the Met

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:06:51 -0400

“We lost Meryl Streep,” a PR girl told The Observer when we arrived to the opening night of the Metropolitan Opera on Monday, Sept. 21, for a staging of Tosca, which Ms. Streep was expected to attend, but, alas, did not.

Perhaps it had something to do with how the opera has evolved socially since the days when Countess Olenska and Newland Archer could use the...

Rosenbaum v. Jarvis Round Four (Five?): Web Guru 'The Billy Joel of Blog Theorists'

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 11:42:26 -0500

Remember how back in November former Observer 'Edgy Enthusiast' columnist Ron Rosenbaum used his Slate 'Spectator' column to call out Buzzmachine's Jeff Jarvis as "the Sarah Palin of Gurus"?

At the time, Mr. Jarvis—a former magazine editor-turned-digital evangelist—responded by calling Mr. Rosenbaum "a pissy third grader," which sparked an on-going war of words and inspired The Observer's John Koblin to spend some time with The Web Guru in November.

The war continues...

Thursday, October 16

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:07:31 -0400

Before J. K. Rowling, there was R. L. Stine, the author whose entire slasher oeuvre we consumed during our “fat years” in the front of the school bus in the late ’80s, and tonight he reads scary stories at the 92nd Street Y to get us in the mood for Halloween, when we’ll all dress up as slutty Sarah Palins and Ashley Alexandra Duprés. … Ah, would that we could just sail away like...

Morning Memo: Ivanka Trump vs. Howard Stern; Concerned Citizens to Save Katie Holmes; More Grubmans On the Way

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 09:33:42 -0400

Billy Joel and wife Katie Lee held an end-of-summer barbeque in Sagaponack, where Howard Stern played beer pong against Ivanka Trump. [NYDN]

Levi Johnston, the young gentleman behind 17-year-old Bristol’s Palin’s pregnancy, has changed his Myspace status to “In A Relationship” but still seems a bit ambivalent about his new role. [US Weekly]

A group of “concerned citizens” calling themselves Anonymous plans to picket the opening night of Katie Holmes’s Broadway debut in All My Sons...

Morning Memo: Christie Brinkley Runs Into Two Exes; Danity Kane Ladies Miffed at Diddy; James Gandolfini Weds Model

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 09:50:08 -0400

Olatz Schnabel is upset over reports that her husband, director Julian Schnabel, has been seen out with "Miral" author Rula Jebreal. [P6]

Exes Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley attended a performance by daughter Alexa Ray Joel in Sag Harbor. Brinkley's latest ex, Peter Cook--Alexa once him described as an "evil stepfather who once forced her head into a bucket"--was also there, for some reason. [NYDN]

The girls of Danity Kane are reportedly so upset over...

Rock Hall Annex Coming to Soho

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:07:32 -0400

Self-described "die-hard rock fan" Mayor Michael Bloomberg joined music legends Billy Joel and Clive Davis today in announcing the development of a new 25,000-square-foot annex to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, located at 76 Mercer Street in Soho.

The new annex, opening in November, will include such priceless artifacts as Johnny Ramone's Mosrite guitar and the graffiti-clad phone booth from defunct legendary rock club CBGB.

"We're in a landmarked area of great cast-iron buildings,"...

Morning Memo: Mary-Kate Might Dish; the Jolie-Pitt Twins Show Their Faces; Paris Hilton Shuns McCain

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 10:23:15 -0400

Mary-Kate Olsen may speak with federal investigators regarding the January death of Heath Ledger, whom she was allegedly dating at the time, though she's reportedly requesting immunity from prosecution if she does. [NY Post]

The first photos of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's twins Knox and Vivienne have been published by People magazine. [People]

The photos sold for over $14 million; the money will go to charity. [AP]

Paris Hilton has no thoughts...

'Carpooling Encouraged' for Celebrity-Packed Obama Fund-Raiser in the Hamptons

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:48:12 -0400

Residents of the Hamptons will be doing their part to raise money (and the average contribution figure) for Barack Obama's Victory Fund at an August 17 fund-raiser with special guest Caroline Kennedy, according to an invite sent in by a reader. (Obama will not be in attendance.) The hosts of the event are Ross Bleckner and Dorothy Lichtenstein, and the co-hosts include just about everyone in Hampton's society.

According...

Rowdy Tailgaters at Billy Joel's Shea Concert

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:54:10 -0400

New York Magazine's Vulture blog put together this little video of the street scene outside Shea Stadium for last week's "epic" Billy Joel concerts. Witness a lot of inebriated Long Islanders opining about their "white man's jesus," including self-titled "New Age" fans (fratty brodudes) and moms who rocked their son to sleep with the Piano Man's songs.

In their show review, they called Mr. Joel, "the city’s unabashedly cheesy and unexpectedly profound musical ambassador."

“Thank...

She’s Got a Way ... of Whisking

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 08:29:37 -0400

Katie Lee Joel—food columnist, cookbook author, Extra! correspondent, Iron Chef judge, former Top Chef host and third wife of singer-pianist Billy—was recently recounting her March 24 appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

“I made a meatloaf, and she liked it!” said Ms. Joel, 26, between bites of an avocado salad at the cafe Sant Ambroeus on West Fourth Street, near the townhouse she shares with her husband and two pugs...

Selling Oyster Bay House Can Cause a Heart Attack-Ack-Ack-Ack; So Billy Joel Turns To Dolly Lenz

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:05:51 -0500

The Piano Man is good at writing charmingly saccharine and enduring karaoke standards, but isn't as gifted at selling his real estate. Maybe his luck will change now that nearly a year and a half after listing his 14.2-acre waterfront estate in Centre Island for $37.5 million with Daniel Gale/Sotheby's International Realty, Mr. Joel has turned to the omnipotent Elliman broker Dolly Lenz to sell the estate, according to a listing on her Web...

Hot Tickets: Cat On a Hot Tin Roof, Kanye West, Billy Joel, Spoon

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 15:00:47 -0500

CONCERTS:

Kanye West, Rihanna, Lupe Fiasco, and N.E.R.D. Can we say power tour?! Catch their Manhattan date May 13 at Madison Square Garden. [On Sale: Saturday, Feb. 23 at noon]

Call him dad rock, but Billy Joel’s July 16 show, which was to be the last concert ever at Shea Stadium, was the fastest sell out in Shea’s history, with 50,000 tickets disappearing in just 48 minutes. In fact that was enough...

Shea Gets Another Joel Date, Revisits Clash Concert

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 15:01:04 -0500

Billy Joel just added another concert date to close out Shea Stadium. He'll play another final show on Friday, July 18. The July 16 date was the fastest sell out in Shea history, with than 50,000 tickets sold on www.507TIXX.com in 48 minutes. Tickets for the second go on sale this Saturday, Feb. 23 at 9 a.m. at www.507TIXX.com and by phone at (718) 507-TIXX.

In more Shea-related rock news, a new documentary called The...

Movin' Out! Billy Joel to Play Shea's Last Show

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:00:54 -0500

Billy Joel will have those Mets fans feelin' alright at Shea Stadium the night before the all-star game. On July 16th, "The Last Play at Shea," starring the Top 40 star, will be the final concert at the stadium before the Mets move to their new digs at Citi Field.

"Shea Stadium is one of the most hallowed venues in rock and roll history and it's an honor to help throw Shea the...

It’s Still Lobster Roll to Me: Billy Joel’s Caterer Wife Katie Feeds Crowd That Includes His Ex, Christie

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 19:52:48 -0400

“I have never done a complete dinner for this many people!” marveled Katie Lee Joel (wife of Billy), 26, in an exclusive phone interview with the Transom, regarding the Southern-inflected clam bake she designed for her husband’s Ross School benefit concert on Saturday, Aug. 4.

Robbins Wolfe did the actual catering, but Ms. Joel, whose book The Comfort Table is due from Simon and Schuster in May 2008, insisted she was in...

Katie Lee, Caterer (Sort Of?): Billy Joel’s Wife Is Saucy Young Thing

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 22:54:17 -0400

Celebrities are not ashamed to enjoy the smooth and easy stylings of Dave Matthews! Famous faces paying $3000 for Mr. Matthews’ show in East Hampton on Saturday, July 28, the second concert in the Hampton Social @ Ross series, included comic actor Adam Sandler, actress-singer Mandy Moore, and Sopranos stars Edie Falco and Aida Turturro. “Edie even took of her shoes and was dancing,” said an attendee. Also present? Soft-rocker Billy Joel, 58, and...

Billy Joel's Skirt Steaks - Slurp!

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 18:35:45 -0400

Here's what you'll be eating if you are one of the lucky ones with $3,000 to spend on Saturday's Billy Joel concert in the Hamptons Social @ Ross series in Southampton (hey! Edie Falco danced shoeless at the last gig--Dave Matthews!)

- Deviled Eggs
- Chilled Cucumber Soup
- "BLT" Cherry Tomato Cups
- Mini Lobster Rolls
- Raw Bar

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Original Celebrity Broker

Tue, 01 May 2007 18:46:24 -0400

Location: You once managed the Ramones. Which is harder: punk rock or real estate?

Stein: Real estate. Firstly, if you manage a band, every time you hear an encore, every time the audience increases, every time your radio increases, it’s an upper. With real estate, the only upper is how much you don’t owe to Uncle Sam on the check you’re getting. There is no high except the money, which is extremely...

Downtown Man

Sun, 02 Apr 2006 20:00:00 -0400

In 2004, Mr. Joel dropped $3.9 million on the place. Then, last July, the piano man moved out when he bought a three-story townhouse on Perry Street from artist and heir Seward Johnson for $5.9...

Downtown Man

Sun, 02 Apr 2006 20:00:00 -0400

A downtown man—that’s what Billy Joel is. Even if he did just unload a 2,681-square-foot spread at the Hubert, a ritzy newish condominium located between Hudson and Greenwich streets in Tribeca, for $4.25 million, according to deed-transfer records. In 2004, Mr. Joel dropped $3.9 million on the place. Then, last July, the piano man moved out when he bought a three-story townhouse on Perry Street from artist and heir Seward Johnson for $5.9 million. ...

Twyla Tharp's America Takes Over Broadway

Sun, 10 Nov 2002 19:00:00 -0500

Twyla Tharp once said to me, "George Balanchine is God." She herself doesn't seem interested in being God; the universe, the nature of man and love, the future of the art-these aren't the things that concern her. On the other hand, she's just accomplished something that God clearly hasn't had time for: With Movin' Out , she's revitalized Broadway. Call it a musical, call it a show, call it a ballet, call it a...

Forget the Story: Twyla's No Talk, All Action

Sun, 10 Nov 2002 19:00:00 -0500

When it comes to reviewing ballet, publishing an anthology of the 20th century's best lyrics, editing President Clinton's memoirs, or matters concerning collecting vintage plastic handbags, I always defer to the superior scholarship of Robert Gottlieb. Twyla Tharp's Movin' Out, set to Billy Joel's hit songs, is a dance show on Broadway, and Mr. Gottlieb's enjoyable review appears below. Here are just a few thoughts of my own on the flawed but most exhilarating...

Mama, If That's Movin' Up …

Sun, 29 Sep 2002 20:00:00 -0400

In a candid and soul-searching interview published last week, Long Island fixture Billy Joel told a New York Times Magazine reporter that he was looking to rent a new home in Manhattan for the sole purpose of meeting women.

"I'm not going to meet anyone out here," he told The Times , referring to the East End, where he's famously lived for years. (Of course, he's been eulogizing the Hamptons since his 1989 song "Downeaster...

Village Swank

Sun, 16 Jun 2002 20:00:00 -0400

When the casting call went out for what would eventually become the Oscar-winning film Boys Don't Cry , Hilary Swank was a Hollywood hopeful with little but her starring role in the fourth installment of the Karate Kid franchise under her belt-and barely enough money to make the round-trip flight to New York for the audition. She and husband Chad Lowe (Rob frère ) have had no shortage of access to remunerative roles: She...

Movin' Out-Again

Sun, 26 May 2002 20:00:00 -0400

Is that the sound of a hot rod peeling out of a suburban driveway again? The opening strains of Billy Joel's 1977 single "Movin' Out" are surely dancing in the heads of East End brokers, who once again have one of the crooner's properties to sell-even though this one won't be a record breaker.

The native Long Islander just put his $7 million North Haven waterfront home on the market, a mere five months after...

Dion: He Got Around

Sun, 21 Jan 2001 19:00:00 -0500

Rock 'n' roll legend Dion DiMucci has long sent the message that he's a New York badass, either via the pompadour of his early years, his pimp hat or testimony from other soi-disant badasses (Lou Reed) and just plain asses (Billy Joel). But half a disc on the new three-CD retrospective, Dion: King of the New York Streets (The Right Stuff), shows another, less-well-known period of Mr. DiMucci's long career: his fascinating, though occasionally...

Our Leading Economic Indicators

Sun, 21 Jan 2001 19:00:00 -0500

According to that

venerable, respected, serious business publication known as the New York Post , we are now in a recession. And according to that venerable, respected, serious businessperson known as Alan Greenspan-along with the outgoing Clinton administration-this simply isn't the case. The truth, obviously, lies somewhere in between. In the rest of the country (now known as BushAmerica) it's easy to do a reality check on this controversy: One looks for automobile-industry layoffs, union unrest, and sheriff's sales of pool...

Summer's Final Frontier

Sun, 23 Jul 2000 20:00:00 -0400

"I remember the old days," the man said. "When it was beautiful. Before it was overrun by developers, celebrities and day-trippers."

It was dusk, and we were on the deck of his beach house, overlooking the water. There was a full moon directly above, and in the distance, just over the horizon, the other moon was starting to rise. "Mars is finished," the man announced. "It's just too damn crowded." What follows is 48 hours...

Meet Carolyn Beegan, Painter of Fruits and Lover of Billy Joel

Sun, 09 Jan 2000 19:00:00 -0500

Sad People Ask: Where's Winter?

According to Michael Terman, director of the Winter Depression Program at the New York State Psychiatric Institute of Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, up to a quarter of the city is afflicted with Seasonal Affective Disorder, or S.A.D., during the winter months. You know those people: pale, lumpy types who buy special sun simulation lamps and talk about moving to California a lot. But what about the reverse problem? Some of us...