Billy Joel Announces MSG Residency

Madison Square Garden announced today that legendary music icon Billy Joel will become the first-ever music franchise of "The World's Most Famous Arena." Joining the ranks of The Garden's other original franchises -- including the New York Knicks, Rangers and Liberty.

Billy Joel

Billy Joel will kick off this franchise at The Garden performing a show a month, as long as there is demand, starting January 27, 2014. The first four previously announced shows -- January 27, February 3, March 21, April 18 are sold out. The just announced May 9 show, which is also Billy's 65(th) birthday, will be available to Citi cardmembers during an exclusive presale from December 4th at 10am (EST) through December 6th at 10pm (EST). Tickets will then be available for purchase by the general public beginning at 10am (EST) on Saturday, December 7(th) .

"Since his first show in 1978, Billy has performed 46 shows at Madison Square Garden, including an unprecedented 12 consecutive sold-out shows that have earned Billy a spot among the Garden greats with a banner raised in his honor. Today, we take that relationship even further and are extremely honored to have Billy as The Garden's first music franchise," said James L. Dolan, executive chairman, The Madison Square Garden Company. "This new partnership will ensure that someone who has been such an important figure in our past, will also be a major part of our future. We welcome Billy home and look forward to many unforgettable nights of music at the Garden."

Over its 130-year history, Madison Square Garden has become known as the preeminent venue for legendary artists and athletes. Billy Joel's first concert at The Garden was held on December 14, 1978 and, since then, he has performed an astounding 46 concerts at the Arena. In 2006, with 12-consecutive performances, Billy Joel broke the Garden's record for "Longest Run of a Single Artist." To commemorate this historical moment, a banner featuring "Joel -- 12" was raised to The Garden rafters, and now hangs alongside other Garden legends such as Mark Messier, Rod Gilbert, Walt "Clyde" Frazier, Bill Bradley and Willis Reed.

Billy Joel is one of the highest grossing touring artists in the world. Having sold more than 150 million records over the past quarter century, Billy Joel ranks as one of most popular recording artists and respected entertainers in history.