Billy Joel performs familiar hits for full Richardson auditorium

"Let's start things off with a song!" And with a flourish of notes, Billy Joel opened "An Evening of Questions, Answers and a Little Music" to a sold-out Richardson Auditorium. As the notes of "Summer Highlands" swept over the crowd, students and older listeners alike erupted with applause.

What followed was a three hour lecture-concert sponsored by the USG. Joel stood center-stage at a microphone, like a lecturer - or a comedian - and fielded questions from the audience. He peppered his answers with stories of his own life, tips on making it in the music business and, of course, a few songs. Classical pianist Richard Joo performed selections from Joel's recently released classical music project, "Fantasies and Delusions," as well.

Joel made sure the audience knew the true nature of the event up front. "Let's not have any illusions here - this is not a concert. I hope you will all pick my brain. For any here interested in recording, playing, writing, being a rock star or not getting ripped off, this is for you," he said.

Throughout the evening, Joel poured out a steady stream of memories and lessons, all with an honest demeanor. He touched nostalgically on tales of working on clam boats, living in Los Angeles and even discussed his two divorces and his political views.

When asked about his personality, Joel chuckled coyly. "Well," he joked, pointing at his bald spot, "I was never a very outgoing guy, and I was never a movie star. Look at my hair! I always hated my hair, and so my hair left!"

Questions ranged from the easy, - "Was 'For the Longest Time" influenced by a capella and barbershop music?" - to the more penetrating - "Are you really the shy guy you claim to be underneath all that music?" and "Which of your songs would be best for me to hook up to?"

Joel was all too willing to interact with the audience, telling his story and hoping to educate in the process - in response to the last question, he suggested Led Zeppelin "IV." Joel was not all laughs. While he took time to puzzle out the strange letters on the exit signs in Richardson and to imitate an endless barrage of foreign and local accents, he also taught a lesson in music.

At one point, he gave a lengthy history of the French Revolution and how it influenced Beethoven to write his passionate "Heroica Symphony." And in one of the most touching moments of the night, Joel played "Miami 2017" in reflection on the World Trade Center attacks.

"What impressed me was the way in which you could hear Billy Joel in there, along with all the American and European Classical influences," Tim Skerpon '03 said. "He showed what it was to be a musician."

But the audience's favorite moments came when Joel played alone, seated in his black suit behind the nine-foot grand piano. He did renditions of "New York State of Mind," "She's Always a Woman," "And So it Goes" and a reggae rendition of "Only the Good Die Young."

In the midst of one of his stories about his musical influences, he began to play excerpts from Bob Dylan, James Taylor and Bruce Springsteen, each time mimicking their voices with a humorous grin.

The show culminated with Joel strapping on a harmonica and singing a much-awaited rendition of "Piano Man."

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Last night's concert marked Joel's third visit to Princeton. He performed at McCarter Theatre in 1994 and was also in Princeton early last spring to record parts of "Fantasies and Delusions" in Richardson Auditorium.

According to Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Students Thomas Dunne, hundreds of colleges vie for the honor of hosting Joel each year, but only a few dozen are selected. Dunne said Joel had a particular interest in playing for Princeton students.

Joel began performing in this concert-lecture format in 1996 as a way to reach younger listeners and to raise money for a performing arts scholarship at City College in New York.

As the night drew to a close, Joel shared his final thoughts on the music life.

"It's a crazy, silly life, really," he said. "But we're all crazy! Who's sane? We're all kind of nutty, but I became a rock star because I wanted to play music, and its a great way to communicate."