Face 2 Face: Sir Elton John and Billy Joel

When writting about music, sometimes I have to put in order my thoughts.

Why? Because there's so much goin' on while I think 'bout it, and all of sudden a cloud of words arise, all of them positive, specially when the post that is 'bout to be started, is about my favourite musicians, people who challenged the face of music in many, many ways.

In this particular case, we'll review the history of two piano players who made piano the main drive or their Rock And Roll. Two guys who share the same display of energy, raw emotion and determination to let us the listeners travel through their music, and learn something.

I'm talking 'bout Sir Elton John, and Mr. Billy Joel.

We all know both of 'em somehow. We know Elton because of songs like "Nikita", "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" or the majestic re-arrangement he made for Princess Diana's funeral "Goodbye England's Rose".

And we know Billy because of his two major hits, "Piano Man" and "Honesty".

But I'm telling you, these two gentlemen have more music to display and hear... I'll try to serve you people as a guide. Let's start with Sir Elton.

Sir Elton in the 70's, with his classic weird glasses. 

Sir Elton was born long ago in England * I'm not gonna enter in specific details 'cause if you want so, go and visit the Wikipedia ;) * And, technically he has been involved with music his WHOLE life, starting to learn the piano at age 3 and then at age 11 he earned a music scolarship in the Royal Music Institute of London.

If you believed that "Prodigy Childs" in contemporary music were something exclusive of our Youtube times, where we just witness kids who play covers only, well, you might be wrong. Talent and Prodigy are characteristics that always have existed, and rarely go together... but in this particular case, they did!.

As soon as Sir Elton was becoming a young man entering adulthood, he was trying to find his place on music. At first, he auditioned for the almighty King Crimson * If you don't know them I strongly suggest you check them out * but, since his voice was in another kind of Rock shape, much less abrasive than the Crimson's jazz/rock driven music, he was rejected. But that didn't stopped Elton tryin' to find his way...

He finally had a chance when he met a fella called Bernie Taupin, who happened to be a lyricist who was trying to find a musician who could sing his lyrics. Elton was the right guy, at the right time, and the two of them became later on one of the most respected music partnerships, just like Lieber & Stoller.



* From Elton's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Album *

The story of Billy Joel is kind of parallel to Elton's. But, Billy story is a little bit raw, and funny as well.

 Billy in the 70's. He looks more Streets-Driven than Elton.

Billy, just like Elton, was raised in a musical environment. But, unlike Elton, he was forced to learn piano, 'cause his father was an accomplished classical music pianist. The funny thing is that, his former teacher, was a lady who also taught how to dance in ballet performances, and the kids in Billy's neighborhood bullied him 'cause they thought he was taking ballet lessons.

Because of that, Billy started to learn how to box, so he could defend himself. He eventually did, in fact.

The most fascinating thing in Billy's history is that, just like Elton's he met with rejection and very weird situations. I remember this particular story where, one of his girlfriends left him because he was without money, and a place to live, and the only thing he had was his music. According to Billy's words, that event almost led him to crazyness and left him bummed out - obviously -, but after that "Bad Experience", he created a song thousands of people world-wide would feel connected with: "Piano Man".



* From Billy Joel's "Piano Man" album *

So, what would happen if these two get together, you might be asking yourself!

Sheer Class. Picture from their "Face To Face" tour, 2009.

Well, let me answer you, it let us mere mortals to witness (with our own ears) one of the best pairings in contemporary music history. In 1998 Billy Joel and Elton John started to tour together in a series of concerts they call "Face 2 Face Tour". And why they call it that way? Because, the 2 of them perform facing each other on their pianos! And it's awesome. In fact, the tour is still going on, and, it's one of those things we have to witness before we die!


If you haven't listened to any Elton's or Billy's, you're missing something great.

My suggestions to get you started? Well, Elton's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and Billy's "52nd Street".