BY THE NUMBERS: Billy Joel

Billy Joel celebrates his birthday today (May 9), and while we’re all well aware of just how storied his career has been, sometimes reading a bunch of stats is a friendly reminder of someone’s greatness.

In honor of The Piano Man’s birthday, here’s just a handful of notable figures from his career.

• Albums sold worldwide:  150 million +

• Studio Albums Released:  13
  • Cold Spring Harbor (1971)
  • Piano Man (1973)
  • Streetlife Serenade (1974)
  • Turnstiles (1976)
  • The Stranger (1977)
  • 52nd Street (1978)
  • Glass Houses  (1980)
  • The Nylon Curtain (1982)
  • An Innocent Man (1983)
  • The Bridge (1986)
  • Storm Front (1989)
  • River of Dreams (1993)
  • Fantasies & Delusions (2001)

• Albums That Topped the Billboard 200:  4
  • 52nd Street
  • Glass Houses
  • Storm Front
  • River Dreams
    
• Number of Billboard Hot 100 Singles:  42

• Number of top ten Billboard Hot 100 Singles:  13
  • “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me” – #1
  • “We Didn’t Start The Fire” – #1
  • “Tell Her About It” – #1
  • “The River Of Dreams” – #3
  • “Just The Way You Are” – #3
  • “Uptown Girl” – #3
  • “My Life” – #3
  • “I Go To Extremes” – #6
  • “You May Be Right” – #7
  • “You’re Only Human (Second Wind)” – #9
  • “A Matter Of Trust” – #10
  • “An Innocent Man” – #10
  • “Modern Woman” – #10
• Number of GRAMMYs won:  5
  • Record of the Year – “Just The Way You Are” (1978)
  • Song of the Year – “Just The Way You Are” (1978)
  • Album of the Year – 52nd Street (1979)
  • Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male – 52nd Street (1979)
  • Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male – Glass Houses (1980)
  • GRAMMY Legend Award (1991)
• Year Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:  1999

• Year Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame:  1992

• Year Received Kennedy Center Honors:  2013

• Year Received Gershwin Prize for Popular Song:  2014

• Number of shows at Madison Square Garden (including upcoming residency dates):  105

Erica Banas is a rock/classic rock blogger that loves the smell of old vinyl in the morning.