Episode 16: Billy Joel: "Life experience gave me lyrics"

Loading player...
Today, one of the most influential singer-songwriters of the last half-century celebrates his 77th birthday.

Billy Joel built a career turning heartbreak, family wounds and the messiness of ordinary life into songs that millions of people still know by heart.

HOT1027’s Tara Penny takes a look...
9 May English South Africa Music

Other recent episodes

Episode 32: Whitney Houston: "My mother taught me how to sing"

Today would have been Whitney Houston's 63rd birthday. She sold more than 220 million records, won six Grammy Awards and gave the world classics like Saving All My Love For You, I Wanna Dance With Somebody and I Will Always Love You. But behind one of the greatest voices in…
8 Aug 3 min

Episode 30: George Michael: "Grief changed my perspective"

Today would have been the 63rd birthday of one of Pop music’s most gifted stars. From Wham!'s carefree optimism to the soul-baring honesty of "Faith", "Fast Love" and "Careless Whisper", George Michael sold more than 100 million records. But behind the fame was a man searching for acceptance, purpose and…
25 Jun 3 min

Episode 28: Paula Abdul: "No" is the beginning of a negotiation...

Today, Paula Abdul turns 64. Long before she became the warm-hearted judge on American Idol, she was one of the biggest pop stars on the planet — a dancer, a choreographer and singer who racked up six number-one hits and helped define the sound and style of the late 1980's…
19 Jun 2 min