Billy Joel Wraps Up Historic Madison Square Garden Residency with Epic Final Show

Billy Joel concluded his remarkable residency at Madison Square Garden on a high note, delivering an unforgettable night of music to a sold-out crowd of devoted fans. The iconic Piano Man entertained the audience for a mesmerizing 2.5-hour set, which featured surprise guest appearances by talk show host Jimmy Fallon, rock legend Axl Rose, and his two young daughters.

Thursday night's performance marked the 104th and final edition of Billy Joel's monthly residency at the legendary New York City venue, a record-breaking accomplishment. It was also his astounding 150th lifetime concert at the iconic Midtown arena.

Amidst the electrifying atmosphere, Joel expressed gratitude and reflected on the significance of the occasion. "It's time," he declared to the spirited crowd. "None of us knew we were gonna be able to do this for so long. This has been the most amazing gig we've ever done."

At the start of the show, the 75-year-old musician delivered a rocking rendition of "Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)" and concluded the evening with a high-energy performance of "You May Be Right."

A special moment came when Jimmy Fallon joined Joel onstage to raise a blue-and-white banner reading "Billy Joel: Most Lifetime Performances By Any Artist" into the rafters of Madison Square Garden. The atmosphere intensified as Joel's 8-year-old daughter, Della Rose, took the spotlight, singing and dancing to "My Life" while his 6-year-old daughter, Remy Anne, sat atop the piano.

The surprises continued as Axl Rose joined Joel on stage. Together, they treated the audience to a cover of Paul McCartney's "Live and Let Die" before breaking into a duet of AC/DC's rock anthem, "Highway to Hell." Rose returned for the final performance of the night, where they belted out "You May Be Right." The Garden floor shook as the capacity crowd danced to the infectious rhythm of "Only the Good Die Young."

Throughout the evening, fans passionately sang along, reaching a crescendo during the classic hit "Piano Man," which served as Joel's fitting farewell song before he returned for a rousing encore of five more beloved hits.

The emotional resonance of the night was tangible, with fans like Bill Klingbeil, who traveled from Pittsburgh with his fiancée, expressing their overwhelming emotions. "I spent the first few songs super emotional," Klingbeil shared, tears streaming down his face. "I'm trying to sing along, and I've got tears running in my eyes."

The anticipation for this momentous event began in June 2023 when Billy Joel announced the end of his residency, giving fans ample time to secure tickets. Resale prices soared, with the lowest prices exceeding $600 on platforms such as StubHub and SeatGeek in the hours leading up to the concert.

The intense demand for tickets ensured that the audience was composed of genuine fans, as Simmi Degnemark of Carroll Gardens noted. "It wasn't just like, 'Let me drop in to see Billy Joel.' You had to really want to come," Degnemark explained. "What I really loved is the fact you could actually sing and nobody's gonna look at you. Everybody stood up. Everybody was singing. I was singing with other people, strangers I didn't know. We were all just singing together. It was so cool. Experience of a lifetime."

Among the diehard attendees was Jessy Weinberg from Albertson on Long Island, who attended her 10th Billy Joel concert. She brought a sign, expressing her hope that Joel would sing at her wedding next year.

Billy Joel's final show at Madison Square Garden will forever be etched in the memories of those fortunate enough to witness his legendary residency come to a close. His remarkable talent, timeless hits, and unforgettable performances have secured his place in musical history.