Billy Joel + MSG, Together Forever

Billy Joel has a new address: 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10001. That’s right, he’s moving in to Madison Square Garden. During MSG’s press conference this morning the venue announced that Joel is going to be the arena’s first-ever music franchise.

Joel will share his new home with The Garden’s other franchises – the New York Knicks, Rangers and Liberty. The Piano Man will be setting up shop at MSG starting in January until pretty much the end of time.  

To be a little more specific, an announcement on Joel’s website says he’ll play a show a month at MSG “as long as there is demand.”    

Photo: Greg Allen/Invision/AP
Billy Joel poses during a press conference to announce his franchise at NYC’s Madison Square Garden.

Joel had already announced four sold-out 2014 gigs at MSG: Jan. 27, Feb. 3, May 21 and April 18. Today he added a May 9 show, which just happens to be his 65th birthday.

The singer/songwriter has always considered MSG a home. Starting in 1978 he’s played 46 shows at the venue, including his sold-out 12-night residency in 2006. The residency broke the record for the venue’s “longest run of a single artist.”

“Performing at Madison Square Garden is a thrilling experience,” Joel said. “I’ve played different venues all over the world, but there’s no place like coming home to The Garden. Since my first show in 1978, I’ve always looked forward to the energy of the crowd. I’m honored to be joining the Madison Square Garden family and look forward to taking the stage of the newly transformed Garden to create many more memorable nights.”

Presale tickets for the May 9 show will be available to Citi cardmembers beginning Dec. 4 at 10 a.m. EST. Tickets go on sale to the public Dec. 7 at 10 a.m. EST.

Fans will still have opportunities to see Joel play elsewhere. So far his itinerary for 2014 includes a handful of dates in Florida with January shows in Sunrise, Tampa and Jacksonville.

For more information visit BillyJoel.com and TheMadisonSquareGardenCompany.com