The Piano Man Gets His Closeup

After nearly a year in the planning, the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame will soon open the first-ever exhibition dedicated exclusively to its inductee and legendary Long Island musician Billy Joel.

The show will open on Friday, November 24, at noon at LIMEHOF’s location in Stony Brook. Called “Billy Joel — My Life, A Piano Man’s Journey,” the exhibition will showcase more than 50 years of the musician’s most cherished items, including rare memorabilia, behind-the-scenes video, dozens of awards, rare audio and video recordings, vintage instruments and historic photos, many donated by Joel and never seen before in public.

“We are thrilled and honored to present the Billy Joel exhibit everyone has been waiting for, ‘Billy Joel — My Life, the incredible story of a Piano Man’s Journey’ from Long Island to worldwide acclaim,” said Ernie Canadeo, LIMEHOF chairman. “Billy has been very cordial and involved in the planning, and it is appropriate the exhibit is on Long Island, where he has long been identified, written so many songs and lived most of his life. It is a fitting tribute to Long Island’s most successful entertainer and is guaranteed to thrill his legions of fans.”

This exhibition, the second since the museum opened in November 2022, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience Joel’s life-spanning career from his roots in Hicksville/Levittown through his albums, tours, inspirations and personal experiences.

The exhibition has been created by renowned designer and LIMEHOF board member Kevin O’Callaghan, who designed LIMEHOF and its current exhibit to much acclaim. O’Callaghan and Canadeo presented the exhibition plans and designs to Joel several times during the past year and received his input, culminating with the show’s final design.

“It has been a thrill and an honor to work with Billy in creating this extraordinary testament to his life and music,” O’Callaghan said. “It is one of the highlights of my long career and I’m sure visitors will be thrilled with the result.”

Tickets for the exhibition are available online at thebillyjoelexhibit.com or in person at LIMEHOF. This is a timed entry exhibition so tickets will be sold by time block availability, or purchase VIP “anytime” tickets good any time for the duration of the exhibit.

For more information visit limehof.org. The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is at 97 Main Street in Stony Brook.