[2014-10-28] Billy Joel "Billy Joel" hardcover by Fred Schruers

Linda · **Posted:** Tue Aug 19, 2014 6:36 pm

Product Description
In Billy Joel, acclaimed music journalist Fred Schruers draws upon more than one hundred hours of exclusive interviews with Joel to present an unprecedented look at the life, career, and legacy of the pint-sized kid from Long Island who became a rock icon.

Exhibiting unparalleled intimate knowledge, Schruers chronicles Joel’s rise to the top of the charts, from his working-class origins in Levittown and early days spent in boxing rings and sweaty clubs to his monumental success in the seventies and eighties. He also explores Joel’s creative transformation in the nineties, his dream performance with Paul McCartney at Shea Stadium in 2008, and beyond.

Along the way, Schruers reveals the stories behind all the key events and relationships—including Joel’s high-profile marriages and legal battles—that defined his path to stardom and inspired his signature songs, such as “Piano Man,” “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant,” “New York State of Mind,” and “She’s Always a Woman.” Throughout, he captures the spirit of a restless artist determined to break through by sharing, in his deeply personal lyrics, the dreams and heartbreaks of suburban American life.

Comprehensive, vibrantly written, and filled with Joel’s memories and reflections—as well as those of the family, friends, and band members who have formed his inner circle, including Christie Brinkley, Alexa Ray Joel, Jon Small, and Steve Cohen—this is the definitive account of a beloved rock star’s epic American journey.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0804140197/?tag=imwan-20

Mark Kravitz · 20 Nov 2006

I just finished this book and until we get an official autobiography from Billy, this is the best of the bunch. This book is made up of interviews from many people that have come in and out of his life as well as current interviews with Billy as well. Personally, I would have enjoyed more interviews with band members and learn about life on the road with Billy and the band. They do touch on the Liberty vs Billy fiasco and I was very surprised to learn that Liberty only earned about $3M during his tenure with the band. I really got the impression that Liberty was Billy's "Clarence Clemmons" during his time with Billy. You don't get that impression thru the book, but from being a fan over the years it looked as though Liberty was Billy's right hand man on stage. Sadly, Liberty does put some blame on Billy for the suicide of Doug Stegmeyer. Letting Doug go from the band really depressed Doug big time.

All in all, if you're a Billy Joel fan you will enjoy the book.

Mark :thumbsup:

Larry · **Joined:** 10 Feb 2008 **Posts:** 5104

I also finished this book a couple of days ago. It's a must read for any Billy fan and as you say, the best of the bunch. I believe that I read somewhere that much of this material was going to be in Billy's autobiography until he cancelled. And in fact, Fred Schreuers was his cowriter for that book. What I read was the Billy gave him permission to use a lot of the materail that would have gone into that book for this one

[2014-10-28] Billy Joel "Billy Joel" hardcover by Fred Schruers

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