Billy Joel is an American singer-songwriter and pianist from New York, known for a career spanning from the early 1970s through the 1990s with continued performances thereafter. His music blends pop, rock, soft rock, and elements of classical and jazz-influenced piano, producing melodic, piano-driven songs and narrative lyrics that often explore working-class life, romance, and personal reflection. Joel achieved widespread commercial success with charting singles and albums characterized by strong hooks, storytelling, and accessible arrangements, and he is noted for his role as a solo artist fronting bands in studio and live settings.