Years ago I was touring the Norman Rockwell Museum with a friend who was an executive there. I noticed people moving a lot of Rockwell's work around. My friend explained that the museum was preparing to send out many of Rockwell's paintings for a nationwide tour. Then he noted that most museum directors are not fans of Rockwell, who they considered to be an illustrator/cartoonist of little artistic value. But since the public loves Rockwell and will pay to see his work., all museum directors want to be included on the Rockwell tour because they need the money.
Billy Joel, like Rockwell, loves the American people, especially working men and women. Critics come and go, but Joel is the Piano Man of the people and thus, like Rockwell, his work will live on and on and on and on...
Richard, I loved your article about Billy Joel. That 33-hit stat is insane! My favorite quote, out of so many in the film, was when Joel said: "I can’t say there was ever a time where I wasn’t struggling with something. There’s always a struggle to the end, and so, I learned life is a fight, and, that was a good lesson to learn." His life was an amazing lesson for all of us in so many ways; I wrote about them at The Golden Mean: https://shorturl.at/oICcE
If you'll humor me for a moment...
Years ago I was touring the Norman Rockwell Museum with a friend who was an executive there. I noticed people moving a lot of Rockwell's work around. My friend explained that the museum was preparing to send out many of Rockwell's paintings for a nationwide tour. Then he noted that most museum directors are not fans of Rockwell, who they considered to be an illustrator/cartoonist of little artistic value. But since the public loves Rockwell and will pay to see his work., all museum directors want to be included on the Rockwell tour because they need the money.
Billy Joel, like Rockwell, loves the American people, especially working men and women. Critics come and go, but Joel is the Piano Man of the people and thus, like Rockwell, his work will live on and on and on and on...
Thanks for that apt anecdote.
Richard, I loved your article about Billy Joel. That 33-hit stat is insane! My favorite quote, out of so many in the film, was when Joel said: "I can’t say there was ever a time where I wasn’t struggling with something. There’s always a struggle to the end, and so, I learned life is a fight, and, that was a good lesson to learn." His life was an amazing lesson for all of us in so many ways; I wrote about them at The Golden Mean: https://shorturl.at/oICcE
Thanks Michael! Glad to hear it.
Excellent piece. My favorite Billy Joel song. The video still gives me chills. Thanks.
Another outstanding column, Rich. I’ll be sure to watch the documentary.
Thanks Bob, I think it's worth the time.
Hugely underrated song
And you should know! thanks Jon.