I was fortunate enough to get tickets for both Billy Joel shows at Shea Stadium, on 7/16 and 7/18. In his entire career and throughout my entire life, I had only seen him once before, in 2006 when he did those 12 shows. I came away extremely impressed after that 2006 show. The last two shows at Shea really made me appreciate what an outstanding musician and performer he really is.
Prior to July 16th, my last visit to Shea stadium was in July of 2000. Merengue night at Shea. Oh, what a lovely evening that was. Terrible parking, and the whole place looked like Tijuana on a Saturday night. As I tried to watch the game that night, a large, portly Spanish guy insisted on banging drums through most of the game. I decided that night that it would be one of my last trips to Shea for a while.
So, I decided to return. This time not for a ball game, but for two Billy Joel sold out shows. I played it a little smarter this time. Patty and I drove to Manhasset where we boarded a LIRR train for the direct trip to Shea.
On Wednesday night, our seats were really, really good. First row in the mezzanene, almost dead center. Joel started around 8:30, playing 2 dozen of his hits until about 11:30. That night, he was accompanied by a few special guests that were a real treat for me. Tony Bennett, John Mayer, Don Henley, and John Mellencamp. Aside from the $8 beers, it was a great concert. He played all of the hits; Angry Young Man, Entertainer, Captain Jack, Scenes, and Piano Man just to name a few.
On Friday night, our seats were still very good. This time, we had field-level boxes on the first base line. Aside from a few young kids (19 or so) that finally were escorted out of the stadium around the 5th song, this night was also really amazing. Tony Bennett came out again for “New York State of Mind”, and then the other guests tonight were as spectacular as Wednesday. Both Steven Tyler and Garth Brooks arrived to sing, and then the special treat at the end…Paul McCartney came on to sing “I Saw Her Standing There” and “Let It Be”. For me, that was probably one of the highlights of my life. To see one of the surviving members of The Beatles come back to the stadium in it’s last year to the place The Beatles played when they got to the United States was truly an amazing sight.
Eh, to top this concert, John, Elvis, and Buddy would have to rise from the dead and sing Yankee Doodle Dandy on my doorstep.
Thanks Billy for a wonderful two days at Shea. You really made 60,000 people happy for 2 nights. And, don’t worry–I won’t take shit from anybody. 😉