Born in 1949 on Long Island, Billy Joel dropped out of high school just short of graduation to follow his love of music. Joel's early bands proved Jess than successful, and he also endured stints as a lounge pianist and, later, a composer of commercial jingles. Finally Joel decided to go it on his own as a singer-songwriter.
In 1984 'The Longest Time" reached #1 on the Adult Contemporary charts.