How To Love A Woman by Billy Joel: Post-COVID Classic Rock Tour

Billy Joel Concert At Allegiant Stadium Las Vegas, NV — February 26, 2022

I didn’t think much of Billy Joel growing up. My mother thought he was Italian. As it turns out he was Jewish.

I saw Joel perform in Los Angeles when my daughter was barely one year-old. I watched the audience: every age, every gender, every race, sing and dance to all his songs in a stadium. I finally understood Billy Joel was not commercially watered down music, rather he was universal.

I asked my best friend, Jeph, to accompany me to see Joel in Vegas in February.

When Joel was set to perform, we got a rookie Uber. I was so hard on him and I feel bad. The show was at 8:00pm and he was struggling to get us there in time. I navigated for him and eventually told him to let us out so we could run to the show. He was so apologetic- however, when it comes to music, I am always on time.

We ran into the venue and found our seats. There was only one seat available. I announced, “Well, one person does not belong.” Then I stared at a group of drunk 50-somethings strewn over the folding stairs.

One middle aged guy raised his hand and said, “It’s me. I don’t belong.”

My eyes fell upon him.

His eyes fell upon me.

Then he got up and left.

I asked Jeph to bring me a drink to relax. When I saw him return, beer was spilling over his hand as he shook from anxiety. I asked him to sit down and breathe. My intensity over music was not worth an anxiety attack. He always claims the nerves are not triggered by me, but Jeph is so eager to please and if you are ever with a rabid music fan at a concert, you quickly understand how high the stakes are.

Billy Joel Setlist

The songs began: “Movin’ Out”, “Pressure”, “Entertainer”, “Vienna”…

Honestly, Jeph will tell you his relationship with music has to do with his childhood. It is significant for him. To me, Joel is indicative of what I wish a man or partner cherished in me. It starts with “Just the Way”:

The way your hair’s in a mess in…