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June 1, 2023
Mayor Eric Adams: I start my day by getting into the back seat of my SUV with my security guard. I put on my headphones and play “Mood in New York.” What really moved me this morning was everything my Deputy Mayor Williams-Isom had to deal with when dealing with the asylum crisis, homelessness, human services, mental health. When she heard I was coming here today, she said, Eric, I have to come and see Billy Joel and say thank you. One more thing, if you only see this great artist on the biggest domestic stage, not the global stage, you’ll miss him being more than just an entertainer. Millions of people come in and sing along, and at the end of the show, they leave. They leave rejuvenated, and they leave thinking how lucky we are and how honored we are to be New Yorkers.
He captured the essence of New York City. He is a great ambassador for New York, where the American Dream lives and grows every day, and the diversity of his audience. When I walk around I hear people bragging not about a show they’ve been in but how many shows they’ve been in and how many people have heard all their favorite songs over and over again, all Love the song beats, they’re new again, it’s a renaissance, not just a residency. This is a moment for New Yorkers to say that no matter what we’ve been through or what we’re going through, we can come in and get energy from that piano, that voice, from the surprises that come every day. I am so happy and lucky to be here, to serve as Mayor while Billy Joel completes this amazing journey, which will be 10 years in the making. Exciting.
For his two beautiful daughters, who may not be grasping the relevance of this moment now, they’ll look back in time, and they’ll see what their father did, not just on stage at Madison Square Garden, but is the stage of New York City. New York, the most important country city in the world, made Madison Square Garden the most important stage and Billy Joel the most important artist. Good job bro. You did your thing, man. I look forward to hearing many, many moments again. Thanks. Let’s hand it over to Billy Joel.
Billy Joel: Thanks. Thank you so much. It’s an honor to be here today to celebrate. Oh, that’s your business. That’s great. Thank you, Jim. No, it’s not mine either. [Laughter.]
Anyway, it’s an honor to be here. I’m kind of surprised it didn’t last as long as it did. My team told me we could keep selling tickets, but for 10 years, I don’t know. That’s 150 shows, 10 years, and it’s been good. [Laughter.] I mean, no matter what you’ve read, I’m selling my house on Long Island, but I’m not leaving New York. I just spent a little more time in Florida, like all Jewish people from NYC. So it’s really not news. So basically we’re just here to hype the next 10 shows. It’s a promotion.
And I don’t have my notes, wherever they are. It’s hard to believe we’ve been able to do this for 10 years. I don’t know how long it will last. I thought there would be an arc. Maybe it will sell well at first and then eventually taper off. But it keeps selling, people keep coming, people keep buying tickets. I am 74 now and will be 75 next year. Looks like a good number, ok thanks. I’m here. OK Thank you Mayor Adams for your words.
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