Billy Joel gave rather strong hints during his Tonight Show appearance that he might have a radio station coming your way, and on Monday the performer formally announced that The Billy Joel Channel will go live on SiriusXM Wednesday. The channel will air on Channel 4, briefly replacing the '40s on 4 programming, which will air online.
The channel will air for three months, playing music from Joel's nearly 50-year career, from his '60s work with The Echoes up until the present. The channel will mark its debut on Wednesday by playing the entirety of Joel's upcoming live album A Matter of Trust: The Bridge to Russia (which won't hit shelves until May 20 otherwise). Other benefits will be fans getting to hear Joel's ongoing live series at Madison Square Garden, and of course plenty of interviews with Joel and his associates.
"I guess they want me to program some music that I like to listen to and talk about what we like to listen to on the road or what we do," Joel told Jimmy Fallon. "I don't know. I guess I'm going to wing it."
Several bands already have full-time channels on SiriusXM. Elvis Presley is an obvious one, and a strangely enjoyable listen, even for those who aren't the biggest fans of The King. Bruce Springsteen, The Grateful Dead and Pearl Jam-all bands noted for the length and diversity of concert sets-also have their own channels. And then there's Radio Margaritaville.
No word yet on whether The Billy Joel Channel could see an extension if listening numbers stay high, but we hope they find it a new home within the airwaves...we'll miss our '40s on 4.
