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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…

NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 17: Billy Joel performs onstage at the ASCAP Centennial Awards at Waldorf Astoria Hotel on November 17, 2014 in New York City.

Brian Ach/Getty Images

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.

Erica Banas is a news blogger who's been covering the rock/classic rock world since 2014. The coolest event she's ever covered in person was the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. (Sir Paul McCartney inducting Foo Fighters? C'mon now!) She's also well-versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. #TransRightsAreHumanRights