And Why He is One of America’s Greatest Citizens Billy Joel And Why He is One of America’s Greatest Citizens

Background Billy Joel is a famous singer/songwriter. He has sold over 150 million records, and is the 20th best selling artist of all time. He has had 23 Grammy nominations, of which he won 6, and had 33 top 40 hits so far in his musical career. He has received many awards, including the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, the ASCAP Centennial Award, the 36th Annual Kennedy Honor, three Awards for Cable Excellence, the ASCAP Founders Award, the BMI Career Center Award, and the 1994 Billboard Century Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999 and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He had 16 albums achieve RIAA Platinum Status, 2 singles achieving RIAA Platinum Status, and 4 singles receiving RIAA Gold Status.

Superstorm Sandy Benefit Concert On 12.12.12, Joel played at the Superstorm Sandy Benefit concert alongside Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Sting, Christina Aguilera, and various other well known singers to help provide funding for the American Red Cross in order to help out victims of the terrible storm. Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel Perform at the Superstorm Sandy Relief Concert.

Fundraiser for Barack Obama Billy Joel also performed at a fundraiser for Barack Obama and the Democratic Party in 2008.Though, Joel does not usually indorse politics, he stated that he did not want to end up in ‘that place,’ referring to the quote provided to the left. The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis. -Dante Alighieri Joel playing at a fundraiser for the Democratic Party

Charity Music Classes Billy Joel teaching a ‘master class’ session. Joel has always supported music classes in public and private schools. He gave ‘master class’ sessions on college campuses across the United States and all around the world. He has donated money to provide musical scholarships to many music schools and colleges on the East of the United States. Billy Joel teaching a ‘master class’ session.

Okay, What Makes Him So Great? Along with his fabulous musical talent and contributions to modern music, Joel has done fundraisers for causes he believes in. Most people cannot do more than vote to influence their government, but Joel also raised fundings for Obama’s campaign in 2008. Some students were not privileged enough to have music classes at their college, so Joel brought the music classes to them. He helped provide relief to people who lost their homes during Superstorm Sandy, and has performed at fundraisers and donated to several other charities.

Works Cited "Billy Joel Biography | Billy Joel." Billy Joel. Sony Music Entertainment, n.d. Web. 20 May 2015. <billyjoel.com/biography>. "Billy Joel: Change of Heart and an Obama Endorsement." US News. U.S.News & World Report, n.d. Web. 20 May 2015. <http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2008/10/23/billy-joel-change-of-heart-and-an-obama-endorsement>. "Springsteen Joel Sting Bon Jovi To Host Hurricane Benefit." Golden Age of Music Video. Golden Age of Music Video, 01 Nov. 2012. Web. 20 May 2015. <http://goldenageofmusicvideo.com/springsteen-joel-bon-jovi-sting-to-host-hurricane-sandy-benefit-concert-on-nbc/>. "Billy Joel - Interview with Billy Joel Ft. Billy Joel." YouTube. YouTube, 5 Feb. 2015. Web. 20 May 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qY8YZu9jbkE>. "Musician Billy Joel Hosts a Special Master Class School-wide Assembly..."Getty Images. Gettyimages, n.d. Web. 20 May 2015. <http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/musician-billy-joel-hosts-a-special-master-class-school-news-photo/169669973>.