Even though Billy Joel was a superstar by the 1980s, he still had to promote each new album. That included appearances on late night television shows. 

Billy was never a fan of music videos or performing on television, saying music shouldn’t have to be a visual art. But as the landscape of late night shows changed over the years, he found more opportunities that suited his style. 

He offset his spotlight moments on Late Night with David Letterman by sitting in with Paul Schaffer’s famed house band. His revamped live band got the spotlight in late 80s and early 90s Saturday Night Live appearances.

Later, Billy debuted new songs and revisited his back catalog with his live band and members of the show’s musical groups while visiting other late-night hosts. 

Then, as his 2010s renaissance blossomed with his Madison Square Garden residency, Billy guested on network programs that made the cultural leap into online and viral videos. 

Join us as we dig deep into Billy Joel’s late night TV appearances from 1986 to 2024.

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Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC

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