Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories

Billy Joel to perform for first time in Buffalo in 10 years

Submitted

Tue, Nov 12th 2019 03:15 pm

New Era Field concert set for Saturday, Aug. 15

Tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 22

Legendary musician Billy Joel will make his first appearance in Buffalo in 10 years, appearing at New Era Field at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15. Joel’s last appearance in Buffalo was March 9, 2010, with Elton John at KeyBank Center (then HSBC Arena). His last appearance at New Era Field was in 1994.

“Billy Joel is one of the all-time greatest artists, and I have been fortunate enough to see him live,” said Bills owner and President Kim Pegula. “He’s going to put on a great show at New Era Field Aug. 15, and I know our fans are in for a great night!”

“We are excited to have a concert back at New Era Field in 2020, and there is no better way to return than with the legendary Billy Joel. Billy hasn't played in Buffalo in 10 years and this will be a show not to be missed,” stated Jim Koplik, Live Nation president of upstate New York & Connecticut.

American Express card members can purchase tickets before the general public, beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 18. Tickets for the general public go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 22, via livenation.com or through Ticketmaster.

A press release said, “Due to high levels of congestion during the on sale time, it can often be difficult to purchase tickets right away. Please continue to check Ticketmaster, as tickets will be available throughout the day.”

In December 2013, Joel became Madison Square Garden’s first music franchise, joining the ranks of the storied venue’s other original franchises – the New York Knicks, Rangers and Liberty. Since January 2014, Joel has played one show per month at The Garden. This unprecedented and wildly successful residency marked a 60th consecutive sellout with its Jan. 24 show, and Joel hit his record-setting 100th career MSG show last July.

Joel is one of the biggest concert draws in the world and continues this achievement with an impressive run of sold-out consecutive stadium shows and concert arenas. Having sold 150 million records over the past quarter century, and scoring 33 consecutive Top 40 hits, Joel ranks as one of most popular recording artists and respected entertainers in history. The singer/songwriter/composer is the sixth-best-selling recording artist of all time and the third-best-selling solo artist. In 2016, the Library of Congress selected "Piano Man" for preservation in the National Recording Registry for its "cultural, historic, and artistic significance.”

In November 2014, Joel received both The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, which honors living musical artists’ lifetime achievement in promoting the genre of song as a vehicle of cultural understanding; entertaining and informing audiences; and inspiring new generations; and the once-in-a-century ASCAP Centennial Award, which is presented to American music icons in recognition of their incomparable accomplishments in their respective music genres and beyond.

In December 2013, Joel received The Kennedy Center Honors, one of the U.S.’ top cultural awards. He is also the recipient of six Grammy Awards, including the prestigious Grammy Legend Award. Joel has been inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has received numerous industry awards, including a Tony Award for "Movin' Out," a Broadway musical based on Joel’s music.

For his accomplishments as a musician and as a humanitarian, Joel was honored as the 2002 MusiCares Person Of The Year by the MusiCares Foundation and the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. “Billy Joel: New York State of Mind,” the documentary film, explores Joel’s unprecedented franchise at Madison Square Garden. “Billy Joel: New York State of Mind” won five New York Emmys at the 61st Annual NY Emmy Awards in April 2018.

Joel has also performed alongside other music greats at two of Madison Square Garden’s most extraordinary benefit concerts – “12-12-12, The Concert For Sandy Relief,” which raised awareness and money for those affected by Hurricane Sandy, and “The Concert for New York City,” which was held to help aid 9/11 victims and heroes.

Joel received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, adding another milestone to his brilliant career.

Hometown News

View All News