You’d definitely get wide media coverage if you are married to one of America’s greatest songwriters and singers in history. We do not want to say that Alexis Roderick rode on the tides flowing from the man that became her husband, Billy Joel, but we cannot entirely rule out that possibility, can we?
Being the wife of one of the foremost songwriters in the USA certainly elevates anyone to a status you could call celebrity and Alexis Roderick is not an exception. However, this article is not about Alexis Roderick but her husband who is 33 years older than her.
You would discover several amazing things that you never knew about Bill Joel and his career. So, let’s walk you through the career of one the finest artistes alive.
Fast Facts about Billy Joel
Before we commence to open the door into the life of the man whom Americans would never forget when they think of the piano, just how much do you know of Billy Joel?
Who Is Billy Joel?
Billy Joel was born in the Bronx, New York City on May 9, 1949. His father, Howard Joel and mother, Rosalind, gave him the name William Martin Joel at birth. Since both his parents are of of Jewish descent, then Billy Joe too has a Jewish lineage.
After a couple of failed marriages, Billy Joel is the husband of Alexis Roderick, and love is what exists between the two so far.
Billy Joel is the Piano Man, a name he earned from a song of the same title which he released sometimes in the 1980s. Before we continue, you ought to know that Joel has sold 150 million records worldwide. The Piano Man is not just any title, it is one that converts to big cash for the bearer.
Billy Joel’s Glittering Career
You would think that a legend the size of Billy Joel had a passion for making music with the piano from birth. Well, it wasn’t so for our music best-seller, Billy Joel. It was through Billy’s mom’s mild coercion to take piano lessons that he finally became what he is today. His mom’s imposition turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Billy Joel.
At the age of 14, Joel had to play piano at bars to support his mother to make ends meet. At 12th grade, Joel wasn’t attending enough classes because he had begun working nights. He couldn’t complete his senior high as he didn’t have enough credit.
Billy knew what he wanted – not Columbia University but Columbia records – so he dropped out of high school to pursue his dream of being a musician. He was in several bands before he decided to go solo in 1971. Since then he hasn’t looked back and has carved a niche for himself.
Climbing the rungs of the ladder of his career, Billy’s inspiration came from Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers, and The Beatles.
In 1972, in one of his performances, Columbia Records discovered Billy Joel, the man who would go on to become the husband of Alexis Roderick. The music label liked what they heard and it didn’t take long before he signed for them. It was just a little while with the record label before Billy Joel released his second album, Piano Man, in 1973.
Billy Joel’s Breakthrough
Although fans will forever refer to Billy as the Piano Man, the album didn’t make as much breakthrough as the album, The Stranger, which he later released in 1977. Stranger went on to become a commercial hit.
From that point on, Joel could go only one direction, and that is up. The Stranger album, which sold over 10 million copies, placed Billy under the spotlight, thus, gathering more fans as he trudged on in his musical career.
Billy Joel’s sixth album became his first album to peak at No.1 in the famed Billboard 200 chart.
In 1980, Billy’s single, “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me”, topped the Billboard Chart.
A very important feature of Joel is his diversity. It is more like he wields the power to produce any kind of music from almost all genres.
He not only sings and writes songs, but he also holds the credit of producing about 33 songs of the Top 40 Hits in the U.S in the span of 20 years.
Billy Joel’s Suicidal Attempt
Sometimes in 1970, a depressed Joel attempted to end his life. It was a period when he believed his career was on a sharp decline. He had already left a suicide note and had swallowed furniture polish, but for the intervention of his bandmate who rushed him to the hospital. He was later placed on suicide watch for a while.
Billy Joel’s Relationship
Many would wonder why Billy Joel married Alexis Roderick at the age of 66. It would look as if he had been married to his music for so long to realize he needed a woman in his life, but that wasn’t so.
Joel first married Elizabeth Weber Small in 1973 and she became his manager. However, they couldn’t manage each other’s excesses, so they split on July 20, 1982.
Billy again married his second wife, Christie Brinkley, in March 1985. The couple lasted for nine years before they got their divorce papers on August 26, 1994.
If you thought Bill was going to stop marrying, well, you’ve got that wrong! He went on to marry Katie Lee in 2004. Katie was 32 years younger than Billy, and their marriage lasted five years, ending on June 17, 2009.
Billy Joe’s Marriage to Alexis Roderick
Aged 66, one would have thought getting married was going to be a tough one. Not for Joel. In 2015, Joel married Alexis Roderick and became her husband.
This was a marriage that was long coming, considering that the couple had been together for six years. They had first met in 2009 at a restaurant.
Almost like his last wife before her, Alexis Roderick was 33 years younger than Billy when she walked down the isle with him. While some may be on the watch out for the two to separate, Billy and Alexis have two daughters.
Alexis Roderick Husband’s Awards
Billy Joel’s career is resplendent with several awards. To put it in perspective, he has been nominated for 25 Grammy awards and has won five already. He has also received honorary awards from several universities.
Billy is only the second entertainer to be inducted into Madison Square Garden Walk of Fame. He is also the recipient of the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song by the Library of Congress.
However, with all these awards to mark his legendary tale, Billy Joel hasn’t released any new album since the River of Dreams album of 1993. He seems to be really settled into his marriage to Alexis Roderick, and intent on becoming the best husband to his bride.
Here’s Billy Joel on Instagram!
Conclusion
Billy Joel’s career is an incredible one. His personal life deserves a screen story. Getting married to Alexis Roderick as his fourth marriage clearly shows how relentless Joel is in his pursuit of happiness.
Incredible career, formidable marriage record, but there is still that man who wants the whole world to hear him. Although he hasn’t released any recent album, the Piano man is increasing his net with concerts. Billy Joel is currently worth $225 million.
Like Alexis Roderick, Arlene Silver also has a husband who is way older than her. You should see these Interesting Facts You Need to Know About Arlene Silver.
