Films, Television & Music Videos Made On Long Island: Billy Joel

Billy Joel, often hailed as the "Piano Man," has deep roots on Long Island -- not only in his personal life but also in his performance history and visual media. A native of Hicksville in Nassau County, Joel has long been associated with Long Island culture, often referencing local landmarks and towns in his music. His connection to the area goes beyond lyrics; it extends to his choice of venues for major performances, including those captured on film.

One of the most notable examples of this is the globally-released home video release Live from Long Island, which features a concert filmed at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale; the concert was also broadcast via HBO. Recorded in 1982, this energetic performance showcases Joel at a pivotal point in his career, returning to his home turf to play for a devoted local crowd. The Coliseum, a staple of Long Island entertainment history, provided the perfect backdrop for the concert, capturing not just Joel’s musical prowess but also his enduring bond with the Long Island community.

Billy Joel was also documented as having recorded at Cove City Sound Studios, as owned by musician Richie Cannata. Linked here is a photo of him and Ray Charles recording at the Glen Cove spot. This is believed to have been taken during sessions for the song "Shameless." The same studio has also been the site of studio recordings and/or mix sessions related to commercially-released titles by Jimmy Fallon, Mariah Carey, Jon Bellion, N-SYNC, Celine Dion, Ashanti, Jennifer Lopez, LL Cool J, and Cheap Trick.

Researched by Darren Paltrowitz on July 3, 2025.