Billy Joel Announced As Madison Square Garden Franchise Act

Billy Joel is making himself comfortable in Madison Square Garden. After announcing his return to the stadium, four of his shows are now completely sold out. Seeing as fan interest was more than what was initially expected, Madison Square Garden has announced that they are taking on Billy Joel as a franchise act.

The piano man, as he’s famously called, will perform once a month at The Garden as long as interest is still there, and with his shows selling out in minutes, it looks like Billy Joel will be playing at Madison Square Garden for a long stint.

Billy Joel is set to join the New York Knicks, Rangers, and Liberty as one of The Garden’s franchise acts starting January 27, 2014. Previously announced shows are now sold out for January 27, February 3, March, 21, and April 18.

Before Billy Joel announced his return to Madison Square Garden, he had retired in 2006 at The Garden previously by playing a record-breaking “longest run by a single artist.” At the time he performed 12 consecutive sold-out shows.

What will probably be the best show of Billy’s to catch will happen in May on his 65th birthday. Citibank card holders will be able to exclusively buy during the pre-sale, which happens on December 4 at 10 am EST.

The executive chairman of The Madison Square Garden Company said in an announcement about Joel as a franchise:

“Since his first show in 1978, Billy has performed 46 shows at Madison Square Garden, including an unprecedented 12 consecutive sold-out shows that have earned Billy a spot among the Garden greats with a banner raised in his honor. Today, we take that relationship even further and are extremely honored to have Billy as The Garden’s first music franchise.”

He continued:

“This new partnership will ensure that someone who has been such an important figure in our past, will also be a major part of our future. We welcome Billy home and look forward to many unforgettable nights of music at the Garden.”

Will you be catching Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden?

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