An all-star lineup showed up to pay tribute to Billy Joel in November and the PBS special aired last night (Jan. 2). The singer-songwriter received the prestigious Gershwin Prize for Popular Song by the Library of Congress. Boyz II Men, Kevin Spacey and Tony Bennett performed a few choice numbers while LeAnn Rimes, Josh Groban and Natalie Maines also joined in on the celebration. Joel took the stage for some of his tunes as well, Rolling Stone notes.
The award for most impressive showing has to go to Spacey, who played harmonica and sang the opening verses of "Piano Man" before the rest of the artists joined in on the song.
"Do you know how to play this?" Joel asks the actor, who has portrayed music legend Bobby Darin previously. "Well, it's your night, Billy, and I will accept the challenge," he responded. The pianist then launched into the memorable 1973 introduction as Spacey laid into the harmonica. Boyz II Men came in on the "la dee da diddy da da" part before Gavin DeGraw grabbed the microphone for the first chorus. Check out the star-studded tribute below.
The show included Groban on "She's Always a Woman," Bennett on "New York State of Mind" and Boyz II Men on "Longest Time." Joel rounded it all out with "Vienna," "Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)," "You May Be Right" and "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)."
Joel rang in the New Year with a big gig in Orlando where AC/DC's Brian Johnson joined him for "You Shook Me All Night Long." The singer also honored his late pal Joe Cocker with a rendition of The Beatles' "With A Little Help From My Friends."
