Hi Will, I grew up on the south shore of Long Island where, as you know, Billy Joel has a permanent home on pop radio. In middle school I did really get into his music around the time of his “final concerts” at Nassau Coliseum in 1998. Eventually I harbored a growing disillusionment with LI and wanted something that fit me better culturally. My question is if you also feel that breaking from a culture receptive towards suburban mores makes it a lot harder to take Joel’s pop in good faith?

Anonymous asked: Hi Will, I grew up on the south shore of Long Island where, as you know, Billy Joel has a permanent home on pop radio. In middle school I did really get into his music around the time of his “final concerts” at Nassau Coliseum in 1998. Eventually I harbored a growing disillusionment with LI and wanted something that fit me better culturally. My question is if you also feel that breaking from a culture receptive towards suburban mores makes it a lot harder to take Joel's pop in good faith? - Neal

Hi Neal. South Shore born and raised here too. I moved away years ago but not to get away from Long Island, sure I needed a change of pace but I wouldn’t say I was disillusioned with the place or suburbia. Of course I’m not moving back either. For me personally the chance to build from the ground up in a new city was a welcome change. I feel like being exposed to new things has made me more open to perspectives outside of my own which has probably made me more likely to give Billy Joel a chance instead of avoiding him, which I did when I was surrounded by his fans.

A Year Of Billy Joel

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