Billy Joel has announced that he will become Madison Square Garden's first-ever "music franchise" in 2014. Starting with his previously announced January 27 concert, The Piano Man will play one show each month at the famed New York City venue "as long as there is demand." The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer made the announcement at a press event on Tuesday at the venue with Garden honchos and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in attendance.
Joel, of course, has had a long history with Madison Square Garden. He's played a total of 46 concerts at the arena, including a record-breaking run of 12 sold-out shows in 2006. The latter milestone earned the singer/songwriter a special banner that is displayed in the rafters of the venue.
Joel has just added a May 9 concert, which falls on his 65th birthday, to the four sold-out shows he's already scheduled in 2014 — on January 27, February 3, March 21 and April 18. Tickets for the May event will go on sale to the general public this Saturday at 10 a.m. ET via Ticketmaster. Citi Card members can buy pre-sale tickets starting Wednesday at 10 a.m.
"Today’s announcement that Billy Joel is joining the Madison Square Garden family as their first music franchise is truly a momentous occasion," says Cuomo in a statement. "It is particularly fitting that these two great icons are coming together to make entertainment history right here in New York. I offer my congratulations to Billy Joel and Madison Square Garden and the millions of fans worldwide who will benefit from this collaboration for years to come."
