Billy Joel is 77 years old. The American singer-songwriter and pianist, born in the Bronx, New York, on May 9, 1949, is known for the songs “Piano Man”, “Uptown Girl” and “We Didn’t Start the Fire”, and his net worth is approximately $250 million (Celebrity Net Worth, 2026). Joel, whose wife is Alexis Roderick, is one of the best-selling solo artists of all time, with a career spanning more than five decades.
Billy Joel Quick Facts
| Full Name | William Martin Joel |
| Date of Birth | May 9, 1949 |
| Age | 77 years old |
| Birthplace | The Bronx, New York, United States |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (1.66 m) |
| Spouse | Alexis Roderick |
| Children | 3 daughters |
| Net Worth | Approx. $250 million (Celebrity Net Worth, 2026) |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Singer-songwriter, pianist, composer |
Who Is Billy Joel?
Billy Joel is an American singer-songwriter, pianist and composer known as the “Piano Man”, after his signature 1973 song. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with more than 150 million records sold worldwide, 33 Top 40 hits in the United States and six Grammy Awards. His songs, which blend rock, pop and classical influences, have become a permanent part of American popular music.
Joel’s best-known songs include “Piano Man”, “Just the Way You Are”, “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)”, “Uptown Girl”, “We Didn’t Start the Fire” and “New York State of Mind”. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999 and held a record-breaking monthly residency at Madison Square Garden from 2014 to 2024.
Billy Joel’s Early Life & Background
William Martin Joel was born on May 9, 1949, in the Bronx, New York, to Howard Joel, a German-born businessman, and Rosalind Nyman. He was raised in Hicksville, Long Island, where he began piano lessons as a child at his mother’s insistence, and also learned to box as a teenager.
Joel left high school to pursue music, playing in local bands including the Echoes and the Hassles. He released his first solo album, Cold Spring Harbor, in 1971, and moved to Los Angeles, where he played piano in bars under the stage name Bill Martin — an experience that inspired “Piano Man”.
Billy Joel’s Career
Joel’s breakthrough came with Piano Man in 1973, followed by the hugely successful albums The Stranger (1977), 52nd Street (1978) and Glass Houses (1980). An Innocent Man (1983), a tribute to the music of his youth, produced the hits “Uptown Girl” and “Tell Her About It”, and Storm Front (1989) included “We Didn’t Start the Fire” and “I Go to Extremes”.
Joel stopped recording pop albums after River of Dreams in 1993, focusing on classical composition and live performance. His monthly residency at Madison Square Garden, which began in January 2014, became the longest-running residency in the venue’s history, with more than 100 shows. In May 2025, he cancelled his scheduled concerts after being diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus, a brain condition affecting his hearing, vision and balance.
Facts About Billy Joel
- He has sold more than 150 million records worldwide and won six Grammy Awards.
- He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.
- His Madison Square Garden residency, which began in 2014, was the longest-running in the venue’s history.
- He played piano in Los Angeles bars under the stage name Bill Martin, an experience that inspired “Piano Man”.
- In May 2025, he cancelled his concerts after being diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Billy Joel?
Billy Joel is 77 years old. He was born on May 9, 1949, in the Bronx, New York, United States.
How tall is Billy Joel?
Billy Joel is 5 ft 5 in (1.66 m) tall.
Who is Billy Joel’s wife?
Billy Joel’s wife is Alexis Roderick, a former Morgan Stanley executive. They married in 2015.
What is Billy Joel’s net worth?
Billy Joel’s net worth is approximately $250 million (Celebrity Net Worth, 2026).
What is Billy Joel best known for?
Billy Joel is best known for “Piano Man”, “Uptown Girl”, “We Didn’t Start the Fire” and “New York State of Mind”.
How old is Billy Joel?
Billy Joel is 77 years old. He was born on May 9, 1949, in the Bronx, New York, United States.
How tall is Billy Joel?
Billy Joel is 5 ft 5 in (1.66 m) tall.
Who is Billy Joel’s wife?
Billy Joel’s wife is Alexis Roderick, a former Morgan Stanley executive. They married in 2015.
What is Billy Joel’s net worth?
Billy Joel’s net worth is approximately $250 million (Celebrity Net Worth, 2026).
What is Billy Joel best known for?
Billy Joel is best known for Piano Man, Uptown Girl, We Didn’t Start the Fire and New York State of Mind.
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