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Billy Joel
Having sold more than 100 million records over the course of a career spanning more than 40 years, Billy Joel ranks as one of most popular recording artists and respected entertainers in the world. Extensions of Man Concerts and Media Five Entertainment have a special relationship as his Lehigh Valley promotor starting with his "Piano Man" album tour in 1974. It was at a sound check at their promoted Muhlenberg College concert in 1975 where we first heard parts of the chorus of a song that would later be titled, "Allentown." In 1982, upon the release of the "The Nylon Curtain" album and the single, "Allentown," David Sestak along with local radio station WZZO and the backing of Mayor Joe Daddona, the then mayor of Allentown, spearheaded a campaign to bring Billy Joel back to the Lehigh Valley to perform, "Allentown." There was a controversy over the interpretation of the "Allentown" lyrics within the region and along with the campaign this garnered national attention on syndicated TV, radio, daily newspapers, and major magazines. Billy Joel has often commented that that the early Lehigh Valley shows always had a special place in his heart and he agreed to come back to the area on December 27, 1982 to perform "Allentown" at Stabler Arena in Bethlehem. Efforts continue today for Billy to return to the Lehigh Valley this time to perform "Allentown" in Allentown in their new 10,000 capacity PPL Center. |
Venues Played:February 10, 1974 Northampton Community College Bethlehem PA November 13, 1974 Ag Hall Allentown Fairgrounds Allentown PA March 6, 1975 Memorial Hall, Muhlenberg College Allentown PA December 11, 1975 Memorial Hall, Muhlenberg College Allentown PA December 27, 1982 Stabler Arena Bethlehem PA |
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