In honor of the 30th anniversary of the Hicksville, New York native’s breakthrough album The Stranger, WLIW New York presents Billy Joel’s 1978 British concert debut, a live television performance on The Old Grey Whistle Test. During the appearance, the legendary singer/songwriter played a set of now-classic hits, including “Only the Good Die Young,” “Movin’ Out,” “She’s Always a Woman” and “Just the Way You Are,” which earned 1978 Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Joel and his band also performed “New York State of Mind” and “Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)” off 1976’s Turnstiles as well as Piano Man stomper “Ain’t No Crime.” Now, 30 years later, the one-time UK broadcast finally premieres stateside. BILLY JOEL: THE STRANGER LIVE premieres nationwide August 2008 on public television (check local listings). The program also includes live performances from 1977 of “The Stranger” and “Just the Way You Are.”

Song List

Live Performance filmed March 14, 1978, The Old Grey Whistle Test, BBC Television Theatre, Shepherd’s Bush, London, UK
“Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)”
“Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)”
“New York State of Mind”
“The Entertainer”
“She’s Always a Woman”
“Root Beer Rag”
“Just the Way You Are”
“Ain’t No Crime”
“Souvenir”
“Only the Good Die Young”

1977 Live performances
“The Stranger”
“Just the Way You Are”

Band Members: Liberty DeVitto (drums), Doug Stegmeyer (bass), Richie Cannata (saxophone/organ) and Russell Javors (guitar)

Presented nationally by WLIW New York. ST and CC.