EP 065 - Concert Classics: Live in London, 1984

By 1984, Billy Joel was known for changing styles from album to album. What’s less recognized was how often he changed voices. And, one night that year in England, those voices were all on display.    Close listening to any Billy Joel record reveals a variety of tones, accents, and affectations in the singing. Add to that the many impressions he’s done over the years in interviews and concerts.    Many of them were on display, and front and center, when BIlly and the band took the stage at Wembley Arena in June of 1984. Deep into the An Innocent Man tour, the concert was simulcast on radio and television in Europe.    As a result of it being broadcast, the mix is often more dry and a little muted with the singing more prominent than usual. At the same time, Billy seemed to be leaning into the many different vocal affectations more often than usual.    The concert itself is a great performance, with the band augmented by a horn section and a guest star and a baby on the way. But in particular, it’s an excellent showcase for Billy’s so-called rubber voice.    Join us, as we dig deep into Billy Joel at Wembley Arena in 1984.     Date: June 8, 1984 City/Country: London, England Venue: Wembley Arena     The band: Billy Joel - Vocals, Piano, Keyboards, Guitar Liberty DeVitto - Drums Doug Stegmeyer - Bass, Vocals David Brown - Lead Guitar Russell Javors - Rhythm Guitar, Vocals Mark Rivera - Saxophone, Percussion, Vocals David Lebolt - Keyboards Peter Hewlett - Vocals Frank Simms - Vocals The Affordables Larry Etkin, Glen Stulpin, Bob Livingood - Horns   The Setlist:  Prelude / Angry Young Man My Life Piano Man Don't Ask Me Why Allentown Goodnight Saigon Pressure Leave A Tender Moment Alone An Innocent Man The Longest Time This Night Just The Way You Are Scenes From An Italian Restaurant Sometimes A Fantasy It's Still Rock And Roll To Me Uptown Girl Big Shot Tell Her About It You May Be Right Only The Good Die Young     ------   Email us: [email protected]   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: http://www.glasshousespod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/glasshousespod  Discord: https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T   Support the podcast: Paypal: https://paypal.me/glasshousespod Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Groove Music Marketing     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices