Billy Joel’s story begins in the cultural melting pot of The Bronx, New York City, where he was born on May 9, 1949. Raised in a family that valued music and education, Joel was exposed to art and culture from an early age. His father, Howard Joel, was a German-Jewish immigrant and a classically trained pianist. Howard’s passion for music was a cornerstone of the household, and his influence would shape Joel’s future as an artist.