Billy Joel Wraps Up Historic MSG Residency with Record-Breaking 150th Show

Billy Joel concluded his highly successful residency at Madison Square Garden on Thursday (July 25) with a sold-out performance marking his record-setting 150th show at the iconic New York arena. The legendary musician treated his fans to a memorable night filled with his timeless classics, as well as some surprise collaborations.

During the spectacular gig, Joel welcomed Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose to the stage for a special mini-set of covers and duets. Rose, sporting a flashy sequin-covered sport coat, joined Joel in a captivating rendition of Wings' James Bond theme, "Live and Let Die." The crowd was electrified as Rose showcased his iconic vocals, while Joel skillfully played the piano. Breaking convention, Joel even picked up an electric guitar and the duo rocked out to a cover of AC/DC's "Highway to Hell," a song they had previously collaborated on.

After the thrilling duets, the 75-year-old Joel continued to captivate the audience with hits like "Only the Good Die Young," "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant," "Piano Man," "We Didn't Start the Fire," "Uptown Girl," and "Big Shot." For the grand finale, Axl Rose returned to the stage for a captivating duet of Joel's 1980s hit, "You May Be Right," leaving the audience in awe.

This historic run at MSG, which began on January 14, 2014, has propelled Billy Joel into the record books, with an impressive two million tickets sold. To commemorate this milestone, Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon made a surprise appearance, joining Joel onstage as a blue banner reading "Billy Joel 150: Most Lifetime Performances by Any Artist" unfurled from the rafters.

Despite wrapping up his MSG residency, Billy Joel shows no signs of slowing down. The singer-songwriter has announced stadium performances in the UK, Cleveland, St. Louis, Los Angeles, San Antonio, and Las Vegas, keeping him on the road until November. This news comes just a few months after Joel released his first new pop song in 17 years, "Turn the Lights Back On."

Fans who couldn't witness the mesmerizing collaboration between Billy Joel and Axl Rose live can enjoy fan-recorded videos capturing their performances. The powerful renditions and undeniable stage presence of these two icons will surely leave fans craving for more.

With his historic MSG residency officially concluded, Billy Joel's legacy as a musical legend continues to solidify, inspiring audiences across the globe with his timeless music and unforgettable live performances.