OT: Billy Joel newest "franchise" to call MSG home

[Crease]

In addition to sharing MSG with the Knicks and Liberty, the Rangers will now be sharing it with Billy Joel.

At a news conference on Tuesday morning at which Mr. Joel, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and several Garden executives spoke, Mr. Joel was named as the Garden’s first entertainment franchise, joining the Knicks, the Rangers and the Liberty.

Mr. Joel will play a show a month at the Garden for as long as fans want to hear him play. That run begins with four shows that are already sold out, on Jan. 27, Feb. 3, March 21 and April 18. A fifth show, on May 9 — Mr. Joel’s 65th birthday — was announced as the next installment of the series, with further monthly shows to be announced later.

The official logo:

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/12/03/billy-joel-to-be-a-madison-square-garden-franchise/?_r=1&

http://www.billyjoelmsg.com/

Click to read more...

 

[ecemleafs]

very cool

 

[Megustaelhockey]

I guess he is together enough personally to attempt something like this.

 

[Ail]

Is Dolan's band opening for him?

 

[Crease]

This is not unlike what casinos do in Las Vegas. Caesars paid Cher for three years of exclusive residency for $160m in 2008. I'm curious what MSG Inc. paid for this, and whether this gives them exclusive rights to Billy's live performances for the time being.

 

[Blueblood9]

i for one and pumped. he has forever been one of my favorite musicians but have never seen him live will definately do so now maybe a couple times.

Does this mean his concerts will be telivised on MSG

 

[GordonGecko]

this is so bizarre

 

[Zil]

Typical Dolan move bringing in a big, expensive star when he's way past his prime.

 

[Mr Atoz*]

Billy doesn't want to tour anymore - and if you've ever toured, that's no surprise. This way, he gets to play semi regularly, doesn't have to travel, and gets paid. I've seen him lots of times and he's always great. He's not as energetic as he was years ago, staging an extra keyboard at each corner of the stage and running around like a madman. But if you've never seen him then I'd definitely go. Musicians aren't like old movies. You can't fire up the VCR when they're done. If you miss them you miss them. I'm hoping he shows up tonight @ MSG with Elton.

 

[TheTakedown]

So this iw what those consulting firms were for right?

 

[bernmeister]

Billy doesn't want to tour anymore - and if you've ever toured, that's no surprise. This way, he gets to play semi regularly, doesn't have to travel, and gets paid. I've seen him lots of times and he's always great. He's not as energetic as he was years ago, staging an extra keyboard at each corner of the stage and running around like a madman. But if you've never seen him then I'd definitely go. Musicians aren't like old movies. You can't fire up the VCR when they're done. If you miss them you miss them. I'm hoping he shows up tonight @ MSG with Elton.

Well said^.

cue up piano man music:

...They say the lights are bright on broadway... that was so many years ago...

Enjoy it for as long as it lasts...

 

[The Gloaming]

Didn't know you can franchise a person. But it's pretty cool.

And that's a lot of concerts.

 

[we want cup]

I've always found him pretty overrated. Oh well, another thing to fill the Dolan coffers and pay for big contracts and buyouts.

 

[RUSF18]

Am I allowed to ask if anyone has any extras for the 1/27 show? PM please. My wife has never seen him, she's been talking about seeing him for a while now, and of course his first show is on her birthday. Trying not to get pillaged by SH. Thanks.

 

[Zamboner]

One less night a month he's behind a wheel.

 

[Pizza]

I guess he is together enough personally to attempt something like this.

Was thinking the same thing, but I think this is a tremendous idea. Everybody wins. Fans get to see him. He stays close to home. Garden get the green. Very smart deal.

 

[Mr Atoz*]

Am I allowed to ask if anyone has any extras for the 1/27 show? PM please. My wife has never seen him, she's been talking about seeing him for a while now, and of course his first show is on her birthday. Trying not to get pillaged by SH. Thanks.

Now that it's been announced that he'll be doing a show every month the prices for all shows come down. Try Ebay. You'll get a better deal than Stub Hub. Especially for better seats.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

The GOAT, love this. Gonna have to get to one of these shows.