Singer-songwriter Billy Joel is to receive the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.

Billy Joel is the sixth recipient of the prize, awarded by the US Library of Congress. The Gershwin Prize honours individuals for their lifetime achievement in popular music. Previous recipients of the award, named after songwriting brothers George and Ira Gershwin, are Carole King, Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul McCartney, Burt Bacharach and Hal David; and Paul Simon.

Librarian of Congress James H Billington explained: “There is an intimacy to his songwriting that bridges the gap between the listener and the worlds he shares through music. Billy Joel has won multiple Grammys over his 50-year career including song of the year for Just the Way You Are and album of the year for The Stranger in 1978. He was also presented with a Grammy Legend Award in 1990 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.

Billy Joel commented: “The great composer, George Gershwin, has been a personal inspiration to me throughout my career. The Library’s decision to include me among those songwriters who have been past recipients is a milestone for me.” He will receive the prize in Washington DC in November and be honoured in a series of events.

As far as the Record Press author is concerned, this award is richly deserved as Billy Joel is one of the greatest songwriters to come out of the US. The bottom line is that in common with all brilliant songwriters, Billy Joel is fundamentally a great storyteller, as illustrated by this Record Press Top 10 Best Billy Joel Songs –

Top 10 Best Billy Joel Songs

 

1) Piano Man ( No136 1973 )

2) Movin’ Out ( No35 1977 )

3) My Life ( No12 1978 )

4) We Didn’t Start the Fire ( No7 1989 )

5) An Innocent Man ( No8 1983 )

6) It’s Still Rock & Roll to Me ( No14 1980 )

7) She’s Always a Woman ( No29 1977 )

8) Just the Way you are ( No19 1977 )

9) Honesty ( Non Hit 1979 )

10) Uptown Girl ( No1 1983 )

 

 

What are your favourite Billy Joel songs? Let us know in the Reply Box below.

Celebrate your love of Billy Joel in your home or office, by ordering your favourite Billy Joel song in a vinyl or CD format; single, album or album cover; framed and mounted as a picture disc souvenir. You can also personalise it with an inscribed / engraved plaque…… 

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Framed vinyl records, framed CDs and framed DVDs with a personalised plaque, make unique presents or original gifts for a special celebration  / special occasion ie a Wedding ( Wedding First Dance Song ), an Engagement Party ( Our Song ), a House Warming Party ( New Home ), a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th Birthday ( How about the No1 song on the day of birth? ), a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!!  THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!

 

For further information on Billy Joel and other merchandise or memorabilia, go to…….. www.billyjoel.com/