The "Piano Man" is coming back to Buffalo. It was announced Tuesday morning that Billy Joel will perform at New Era Field on Aug. 15, 2020.
Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres co-owner Kim Pegula personally announced the concert Tuesday morning before joining Jim Koplik, regional president of concert promoter Live Nation, in lifting a veil off a mannequin sporting a Buffalo Bills jersey with the name "Joel" and the number 20 on its back.
"This concert continues our commitment to bringing live events to New Era Field," Pegula said. "Over the last five years, we have been able to bring you the first-ever outdoor game of the World Junior Hockey Championship, the Rolling Stones, One Direction, U2, Guns 'N Roses as well as Beyoncé and Jay-Z. We are now proud to add to the lineup another great artist."
It will be Joel's first Buffalo-area gig in ten years and his first concert at the football stadium since 1994. Joel last appeared in Buffalo with Elton John at what was then HSBC Arena (now KeyBank Center) on March 9, 2010. The two also performed together at what was then known as Rich Stadium in July 1994.
“I was trying really hard for a number of years to get Billy to come up here," Koplik said. "I'd be in contact with Kim saying I think it's this year, and it was never that year. I think it's this year, and it wasn't that year. I'm particularly proud that finally, in 2020, Billy Joel will come to New Era Field."
Tickets will go on sale to American Express card holders beginning Tuesday, November 19, followed by sales to the general public beginning Friday, November 22. Prices will range from $64.50 to $184.50.
In December 2013, Billy Joel became Madison Square Garden’s first-ever music "franchise," joining the ranks of the professional sports team which play there, the New York Knicks, Rangers and Liberty. Since January 2014, Joel has played one show per month at Madison Square Garden.
"He has sold over 150 million albums," said Pegula. "He has had three consecutive Top 40 hits and is the sixth-best selling artist of all time. He is also recognized by the Library of Congress."
In November 2014, he was honored with the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song and the ASCAP Centennial Award.
