♫ Mr. Piano Man♫

Before birth, each of us is exposed to music. "How is that possible?" you might ask. Music is soothing. Music is relaxing. Music is energizing. It sets our mood, stills the mind, warms the heart, which in turn affects our very being. Mother and child benefit from musical surroundings. Of course, the tempo, rhythm and melody definitely control the outcome depending on the moment, time and place. Music in itself is healing, helping us to remember or indeed forget.

This Day in Music History: February 20, 1964

Welcome into the Spotlight...

 Singer-songwriter William Martin "Billy" Joel

Billy Joel American pianist, singer-songwriter, and composer who was a pro by the age of 16, having joined his third band before he could drive

Billy Joel ranks among rock 'n' roll's most talented musicians and accomplished songwriters. Joel's father was an accomplished pianist but it was his mother who pushed him to play the piano. He began playing at the age of 4 and showed an immediate aptitude for the instrument. As the years passed, Joel's style began to evolve, showing his range from pop to the bluesy-jazz stylings that are now closely associated with his name. Joel become the first American performer to unleash a full-scale rock production in the Soviet Union. In 1999, Joel was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by his idol, Ray Charles. Several years later, in 2013, Billy Joel received the Kennedy Center Honors.

On this day in...

1964 New York band The Echoes recruited a new young unknown piano player, named Billy Joel.

Billy Joel was not an instant success becoming disillusioned with notions of becoming a rock star. In the early 70s, after moving to Los Angeles to "fly under the radar" for awhile, he got a gig working as a lounge pianist under the pseudonym Bill Martin. His time playing at The Executive Room on Wilshire Boulevard would later be immortalized in his song "Piano Man," which describes a no-name lounge's down-and-out patrons. [Source: billboard]

Although Billy Joel never was a critic's favorite, the pianist emerged as one of the most popular singer/songwriters of the latter half of the '70s. Joel's music consistently demonstrates an affection for Beatlesque hooks and a flair for Tin Pan Alley and Broadway melodies. His fusion of two distinct eras made him a superstar in the late '70s and '80s, as he racked an impressive string of multi-platinum albums and hit singles. [Source: billboard]

 

Click the icon at left for the songs that were No.1 on February 21 from 1940 to 2016. Then, select a year to see all songs that hit No.1 in that year. Here are but a few for your listening enjoyment so bring on the memories...

On this day in...

 1968 Paul Mauriat - Love Is Blue

 1978 Bee Gees - Stayin' Alive

1987 Bon Jovi - Livin' on a Prayer

1990 Paula Abdul - Opposites Attract

2007 Nelly Furtado - Say It Right 

2012 Kelly Clarkson - Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...