Rufus Wainwright Leads All-Star “Piano Man” Tribute To Billy Joel

Updated:

May 10, 2024 10:10 am

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Singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright helped payed homage to fellow piano man Billy Joel at this year’s Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, D.C. The careers of Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana, Martina Arroyo, and Shirley MacLaine were also celebrated.

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WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 8: Billy Joel and Alexis Roderick pose on the red carpet during the The 36th Kennedy Center Honors gala at the Kennedy Center on December 8, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kris Connor/Getty Images)

First, Wainwright performed a rousing version of Joel’s “New York State Of Mind.” He then lead a singalong of Joel’s signature hit “Piano Man,” and was joined onstage by Garth Brooks and Don Henley, while Snoop Dogg made gangsta signs from the audience. Earlier, Henley sang an Eagles-y version of “She’s Got A Way” and Brooks (the Billy Joel of the South) tackled “Allentown” and “Goodnight Saigon.”

Watch the video below, then enjoy Joel’s ripping run-through of “You May Be Right” from Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve. Joel will perform a once-a-month residency at Madison Square Garden, and is about to embark on his first solo tour since 2008.