In October 1975, Billy Joel found himself in a transitional phase. He had made his mark with his 1973 album Piano Man and its now-classic title track, but the momentum he and Columbia Records hoped to maintain with Streetlife Serenade didn’t quite take off. Released in November 1974, Streetlife Serenade included the notable track “The Entertainer,” yet it peaked at just #35 on the Billboard albums chart, while its single stalled at #34 on the Hot 100.
At 26 years old, Joel was in a period of recalibration. He was still months away from releasing his 1976 album Turnstiles—which, while respected, flew somewhat under the radar—and a full two years from his major breakthrough with The Stranger.
On October 10, 1975, Joel took the stage at The Midnight Special in Burbank, California, to remind audiences of his talent. Rather than previewing new material, he turned to Piano Man and performed “Travelin’ Prayer” and “The Ballad of Billy the Kid,” singles that had helped shape his early identity as a singer-songwriter. It was a moment that highlighted his musical chops, as he continued to navigate the ups and downs of his burgeoning career.
