Talk:Billy Joel

Latest comment: 1 month ago by WWGB in topic Guitar

Harmonica player

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Following up on Talk:Billy Joel/Archive 2#American accordionists, where it was noted that this article is in Category:American harmonica players, I see that addition of that to his instrument-list in the infobox is disputed. Let's get this resolved. I present:

  • [1], where he has a signature harmonica (collaboration product with an instrument manufacturer) based on what he plays in concert
  • [2], where "Billy Joel has been playing Hohner harmonicas his entire career and they were featured on his first Top 20 single and first gold album"

It is only makes a noticeable appearance in one of his major songs I think, but it is prominently featured there that other musical organizations have seen fit to highlight this aspect. DMacks (talk) 16:44, 25 September 2020 (UTC)Reply

Also, apologies to User:WWGB, didn't see you were simply reverting an unexplained addition that was not previously there, rather than removing what had existed. DMacks (talk) 16:48, 25 September 2020 (UTC)Reply
I second that, while the Harmonica is not his most used instrument, it has a major role in probably his most popular song, as you mentioned (More than can be said for many other instruments he's played), and as an aspiring harmonica player myself I've always seen him as an inspiration, although that's more a personal anecdote than a proper argument. Erated8 (talk) 23:06, 8 September 2022 (UTC)Reply
> it has a major role in probably his most popular song
He plays the harmonica AND piano at the same time in his most prominent song, surely something to note: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW4at7ugFGs?t=260 Drnxh (talk) 21:06, 15 February 2023 (UTC)Reply

To add to article

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To add to this article: Joel's approximate net worth. 173.88.246.138 (talk) 01:22, 27 July 2022 (UTC)Reply

Not needed or relevant to his career or life and would constantly have to be updated to reflect his current finances Rsemmes92 (talk) 19:41, 7 February 2023 (UTC)Reply

"Piano Man"??

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The second sentence of the lead section says: "Commonly nicknamed the "Piano Man" after his signature song of the same name..." Really, commonly? By whom? When? This doesn't appear as a common nickname in the infobox, and has no sources to support it. Even if this was true, it does not deserve to be stated as an essential fact in the second sentence of the lead section. 92.15.148.117 (talk) 13:06, 28 December 2022 (UTC)Reply

Totally disagree. - FlightTime (open channel) 13:07, 28 December 2022 (UTC)Reply
I have added a couple sources to directly back up the claim, but there are plenty of others, including littered throughout the page. Cerebral726 (talk) 13:41, 28 December 2022 (UTC)Reply
Hard disagree as well. Thanks Cerebral for taking care of that. Kjscotte34 (talk) 15:00, 28 December 2022 (UTC)Reply

Guitar

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To support addition of guitar in his instrument list, he has played guitar at most of his concerts and he plays it live on songs such as "A Matter of Trust" and "We Didn't Start The Fire" he was even playing a Gibson Les Paul in the music video of the former. GTAGamer245 (talk) 10:52, 9 November 2023 (UTC)Reply

From the documentation for infobox musical artist: "Instruments listed in the infobox should be limited to only those that the artist is primarily known for using. The instruments infobox parameter is not intended as a WP:COATRACK for every instrument the subject has ever used." Martin IIIa (talk) 02:18, 21 February 2024 (UTC)Reply
Agreed. Joel is not a noted guitarist. He merely uses a guitar as a prop to get out from behind the piano from time to time. WWGB (talk) 04:30, 23 September 2024 (UTC)Reply