Collection, Volume 1

Product Information

Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, is gearing up for one of their biggest line-ups in years for Record Store Day (April 22, 2023). Billy Joel’s fifth studio album, The Stranger, was originally released September 29, 1977 and catapulted the artist into the pop culture stratosphere. The first Billy Joel album to be produced by Phil Ramone and the first to capture the chemistry of Billy in the studio with his road-tested touring ensemble, The Stranger was recorded in a mere three weeks and generated no less than four Top 40 hit singles: “Just the Way You Are” (#3), “Movin’ Out (Anthony’ Song)” (#17), “She’s Always a Woman” (#17) and the controversial “Only the Good Die Young” (#24). The album also introduced fans to repertoire standards including “Vienna” and “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant.” The Strangerpeaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 while charting in Australia (#2), Canada (#2), Japan (#3), the Netherlands (#36), New Zealand (#2) and the United Kingdom (#24). The album has achieved RIAA Diamond status and has been recently certified 11x Platinum in the United States. The Strangerbrought Billy Joel his first two career Grammy Awards when “Just the Way You Are” took home trophies for Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 21st Grammy Awards in 1978. The Stranger is Billy’s top-selling non-compilation album to-date. Selected items are only available for delivery via the Royal Mail 48® service and other items are available for delivery using this service for a charge.

The Vinyl Collection, Vol.1 arrives to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Billy’s career starting with Cold Spring Harbor, first released November 1, 1971. Named after a favorite spot located on Long Island Sound near Billy’s hometown, Cold Spring Harbor introduced the world to Billy Joel, singer-songwriter, who, at the beginning of a new decade, was already penning future standards like “She’s Got a Way” and “Everybody Loves You Now.” The album charted in the United States (#158), Japan (#44) and the United Kingdom (#95).As a special bonus, The Vinyl Collection, Vol. 2 presents the first-ever audio edition (3LP) of Billy Joel – Live from Long Island, the celebratory homecoming concert/party Billy and his band threw for fans at the Nassau Coliseum on December 29, 1982. A broadcast edit of the legendary show originally aired on HBO in 1983 while a longer version of the show was a massively popular VHS title. This explosive performance is highly regarded as one of Billy’s best of the era and one of the few to be professionally filmed and recorded. Its inclusion as an audio album in The Vinyl Collection, Vol. 2 is an essential addition to the classic Billy Joel catalog.

Columbia Records and Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, are releasing Billy Joel – The Vinyl Collection, Vol. 2 on November 3, continuing an ongoing celebration of the legendary artist’s 50-plus years of musical magic, on-stage and in-the-studio.With The Vinyl Collection, Vol.1 chronicling Billy Joel's evolution as a songwriter, performer and recording artist during his rise from obscurity to international superstardom in the 1970s, The Vinyl Collection, Vol.2 focuses the surprising next phase of his extraordinary career. Deluxe Box Set Library Includes First Vinyl Release of Fantasies & Delusions (2LP) and First-Ever Audio Release of Billy Joel – Live from Long Island (3LP), the Artist’s Homecoming Concert at Nassau Coliseum (December 29, 1982) As a special bonus, The Vinyl Collection, Vol.2 presents the first-ever audio edition (3LP) of Billy Joel - Live from Long Island, the celebratory homecoming concert/party Billy and his band threw for fans at the Nassau Coliseum on 29th December, 1982. A broadcast edit of the legendary show originally aired on HBO in 1983 while a longer version of the show was a massively popular VHS title. This explosive performance is highly regarded as one of Billy's best of the era and one of the few to be professionally filmed and recorded. Its inclusion as an audio album in The Vinyl Collection, Vol.2 is an essential addition to the classic Billy Joel catalogue. Columbia Records/Legacy Recordings Celebrate 50 Years of Billy Joel’s Artistry with Release of Billy Joel – The Vinyl Collection, Vol. 1 Today, Friday, November 5

Live at The Great American Music Hall -1975 is currently exclusive to the boxset and will not be available at digital outlets. Columbia Records and Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, are celebrating the first 50 years of Billy Joel’s legendary career with today’s release of Billy Joel – The Vinyl Collection, Vol. 1, a definitive 9LP boxset library chronicling Billy’s evolution as a songwriter, performer and recording artist during his rise from obscurity to international superstardom in the 1970s.Originally released in September 1981 (and celebrating its 40th anniversary this year), Songs in the Attic, Billy Joel’s first live album, features top-flight performances recorded in concert in June-July 1980, curated specifically to introduce new fans to his earlier 1970s material following the phenomenal mainstream success of The Stranger. In the nearly ten years–and hundreds of concerts–since he’d recorded his debut, Billy Joel and his touring ensemble had become one of the tightest, most electrifying live bands in the world honing Billy’s songs into the concert gems heard on Songs in the Attic. The album peaked at #8 on the Billboard 200 while charting in Australia (#9), Canada (#21), Japan (#3), New Zealand (#30), Norway (#12), Sweden (#38) and the United Kingdom (#57). Songs in the Attic has been certified 3x Platinum by the RIAA. Streetlife Serenade, Billy Joel’s third studio album, was originally released on October 11, 1974 and marked the first time Billy deployed synthesizers on a record. His live shows from the period often featured the instrumental, “Root Beer Rag” and the short song, “Souvenir,” was a frequent encore. The album introduced “The Entertainer,” a key composition in Billy’s repertoire. A Top 40 album in the United States (#35), Streetlife Serenade charted in Australia (#85) and Canada (#16) and has been certified RIAA platinum in the United States.