Billy Joel is an iconic figure in the music industry. He has etched his name into the annals of music history with his timeless compositions and captivating performances. As of 2024, his illustrious career spanning several decades and his ventures beyond music have culminated in a net worth of $225 million, according to Parade. Joel’s journey from a young piano prodigy in Hicksville, New York, to a global superstar has been marked by chart-topping hits, sold-out concerts, and numerous accolades, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Beyond his achievements in music, Joel’s involvement in various business and philanthropic endeavors has also contributed to his financial success and enduring legacy.
Musical Milestones & Artistic Impact
Billy Joel, portrait, at home in front of gold discs, New York, 25th January 1978. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)
Billy Joel’s impact on music is immeasurable. His career boasts a catalog of hits like “Piano Man,” “Uptown Girl,” and “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” His ability to craft songs with memorable melodies and insightful lyrics has resonated with audiences worldwide. This earned him multiple Grammy Awards and set records for his performances at venues like Madison Square Garden. Joel’s influence extends beyond his discography. His stylistic versatility and storytelling have inspired countless artists and contributed to the evolution of rock and pop music.
Business Ventures & Financial Acumen
UNSPECIFIED – JANUARY 01: Photo of Billy JOEL (Photo by Richard E. Aaron/Redferns)
Further, beyond his achievements on stage and in the studio, Billy Joel’s net worth is also a testament to his savvy business decisions and investments. From lucrative touring deals to rights management of his music catalog, Joel has demonstrated a keen understanding of the music industry’s financial aspects. His strategic approach to his career, includes diversifying his income streams and engaging in partnerships with trusted entities. This secured his financial legacy and ensured the longevity of his wealth.
Philanthropic Contributions & Community Engagement
Billy Joel, Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen, inductees (Photo by KMazur/WireImage)
Billy Joel’s commitment to philanthropy is as notable as his contributions to music. He has been involved in various charitable causes, including environmental conservation, music education, and disaster relief efforts. Joel’s dedication to giving back to the community reflects his understanding of the importance of using his platform and resources to make a positive impact on society and support those in need.
Billy Joel’s journey encapsulates a success story and a blueprint for achieving longevity. His contributions to the industry, combined with his business acumen and philanthropic efforts, underscore Joel’s multifaceted legacy as a musician, businessman, and humanitarian.
Anybody who thought the vinyl resurgence was just a fad was mistaken: The industry has experienced a legitimate revival. As a result, music fans are interested in physical media in ways they may not have if the decades-old medium hasn’t made a comeback. That doesn’t mean everybody is listening to just their parents’ old music, though. That’s part of it, sure, thanks to rereleases that present classic albums in new ways. A vital part of the renewed vinyl wave, though, is new projects being released as records, of which there are plenty.
Whatever you might be into, each month brings a new slew of vinyl releases that has something for everybody. Some stand out above the rest, naturally, so check out some of our favorite vinyl releases of November below.
The Black Keys — El Camino (10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)
Nonesuch
The Black Keys were at the height of their power with 2011’s El Camino, and in just a few days, the album celebrates its tenth anniversary. To mark the occasion, the band has re-released it in various expanded editions. Aside from the remastered album, bonuses include a photo book, a limited-edition poster, and a previously unreleased concert recording from a 2012 show in Portland, Maine. Coincidentally, I was actually at that concert, and if my memory serves me correctly, it was a good one.
Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter series is an iconic hip-hop institution, and now he’s collected the highlights all in one place. On Tha Carter Singles Collection, you get 19 of the finest songs from the series pressed on ten 7-inch records, as well as a booklet full of rare photos, two lithos, and brand new art.
After the all-time classic album The Joshua Tree and the not-as-beloved Rattle & Hum, U2 made a drastic change to their sound with the alternative- and electronic-inspired album Achtung Baby. That album dropped 30 years ago, so now the band is celebrating its three decades with a new anniversary edition. This version of the album has been remastered and also includes remixes of songs from both Achtung Baby and its follow-up Zooropa.
Los Angeles played a major role in the story of jazz legend Charlie Parker, and now some formative recordings from the Kansas City native’s time in the City Of Angels are all together on this new collection. The release features the only known recordings from Billy Berg’s on December 17, 1945; three previously unknown JATP recordings from the Shrine Auditorium on November 22, 1948; and the complete recordings of the July 1952 party at Jirayr Zorthian’s Altadena ranch. For those wanting more context on the meaning of these recordings, the project’s producer, John Burton, offers just that in his liner notes.
Kiss — Destroyer (45th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition)
UMe
1976’s Destroyer was a formative and landmark release for Kiss, and now, 45 years later, they’re expanding upon it with a new reissue. Aside from the remastered album, the amount of goodies that is included with the Super Deluxe box is extravagant but not surprising coming from perhaps the most merchandised band ever: There are iron-ons, stickers, posters, trading cards, stage blueprints, a newspaper, a hardcover book, and much more.
Much has been made about the 30th-anniversary edition of Nirvana’s Nevermind, and truly, this is a must-have for Nirvana fans. There are a variety of editions, the beefiest of which comes with 8 LPs that feature the original album (newly remastered, of course), four full concerts, a 40-page hardcover book with unreleased photos, and other goodies. If physical music isn’t your thing, the band also has a bunch of new merch to coincide with the album’s anniversary.
Speaking of anniversary releases, Radiohead had a big one this year, although it’s pretty different from the Nirvana one. Kid A Mnesia actually celebrates two albums, Kid A and Amnesiac, by collecting both albums as well as B-sides and unreleased tracks from the era. Again, if you’re not looking to buy a record/CD/tape, the gift-able merch offerings here are diverse, including everything from a paint-by-numbers set to holographic stickers.
Who’s that girl? It’s Zooey Deschanel! And also that guy, M. Ward, who is known collectively alongside Deschanel as She & Him. The duo dropped a delightful Christmas album a decade ago and now they’re celebrating the project with a rerelease. It’s super holiday-ready, too, as it’s pressed on tinsel silver vinyl and comes with a new 7-inch, which features covers of Madonna’s “Holiday” and Wham!’s “Last Christmas.”
Yusuf / Cat Stevens — Teaser And The Firecat (50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition Box Set)
A&M/UMe
Teaser And The Firecat helped establish Stevens as a premier singer-songwriter of his era 50 years ago. Now he’s celebrating the anniversary with a deluxe edition of the album that is described as “the most in-depth and definitive version of the album possible.” This version includes a remastering of the original artwork, 41 previously unreleased tracks including studio demos and alternate mixes, and a 108-page essay book.
Billy Joel is still going strong today, but on The Vinyl Collection, Vol. 1, he looking back on the ’70s. The massive 9-LP collection features his first six solo albums (Cold Spring Harbor, Piano Man, Streetlife Serenade, Turnstiles, The Stranger, and 52nd Street), his first live album (Songs In The Attic), and a previously unreleased concert recording (Live At The Great American Music Hall — 1975). All of the aforementioned come right from the original album tapes, and there’s also a 50-page booklet to offer more context on these classic projects.
RZA — Bobby Digital In Stereo (Vinyl Me, Please Reissue)
Gee Street/V2/BMG Records
RZA went out on his own outside of Wu-Tang with his debut solo album, 1999’s Bobby Digital In Stereo, a project that helped him establish his own unique identity outside of the iconic hip-hop collective. Vinyl Me, Please always nails it with the vinyl color and they did so again here with their reissue of the album, which is pressed on “Mantis” Green vinyl that’s a perfect visual complement to the cover art.
Sigur Rós’ 2008 album was a defining release for post-rock fans and buttcheek lovers everywhere, and while it’s not celebrating a round-numbered benchmark anniversary this year, the group is still going ahead and giving it a vinyl reissue. It was a good call, though, as the album was previously out of print worldwide, and now it’s available in both heavyweight black vinyl and a limited run of sky blue vinyl.
Rihanna — Rih-Issue (Music Of The Sun, A Girl Like Me, Good Girl Gone Bad, Rated R, Loud, Talk That Talk, Unapologetic, Anti)
Rihanna
No, Rihanna hasn’t announced a new album though. However, for those looking back on her old projects in the meantime, she is now offering a tremendous way to do so. She recently announced a cleverly titled new series of “Rih-Issue” releases, which features fancy rereleases of her entire eight-album discography. Each one comes with an exclusive shirt, making this the best way to fill any Rihanna-shaped hole in your vinyl library.
