One of the late twentieth century’s greatest musical performers, composers, and songwriters admits openly that his own creativity came earlier in life and flowed forth in fits and starts, with titanic phases of prolific originality and, since his 1993 release of his last album, River of Dreams, far less frequent bursts of new songs.

Born on May 9, 1949, and raised in blue-collar Hicksville, Long Island, Billy Joel began taking piano lessons at the age of four. Soon, he became less interested in reading other people’s musical notes or even in learning how to read music at all. He would become a six-time Grammy Award winner, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and a 2013 Kennedy Center Honoree. He would sell more than 150 million records worldwide. And he began by improvising minor changes in works by the likes of Schubert and Brahms, workshopping his own versions of such masters.

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