Billy Joel Dedicates His MSG Concert To The Orlando Victims – Perfoming His Rarely Heard Song “You’re Only Human”.

June 20, 2016 by Masterclass Lady 2 Comments


Billy Joel, You're Only Human
Picture Credit:Myrna Suarez (@myrnasuarezphoto)

You have seen and will continue to see many articles about Billy Joel on MasterClassLady.Com. I think he is one of the most prolific and gifted performers on the planet. His compositions cross multiple genres, having broad appeal to the mass audience. 

Additionally, he is one of the most generous performers. He embraces his audience and they embrace him back. It is truly a mutual admiration society. 

Case in point:  Billy recently dedicated his concert at Madison Square Garden in New York to the victims from the Orlando tragedy last week.  In particular, he performed his uplifting song, “You’re Only Human (Second Wind)” for the first time since 1987. 

It is such a great song – very catchy and in contrast to the many ballads that have been dedicated to the Orlando victims by other artists.  I confess – I was expecting a slower song. Weren’t you?  It punctuates strength  and courage in the face of opposition. Very, very nice. 

Here is what he said on his website:

“We’re gonna do a song I haven’t done in, I don’t know, 25 years or something. We may screw this up, but at least you know we’re not on tape,” Joel said of the Greatest Hits – Volumes I & II track. “It’ll be an authentic rock n’ roll fuck up.”

Prior to the performance,  Joel spoke of “the shock and the sorrow” of the terror attack on the Pulse nightclub that killed 49 people in Orlando.

“We’re no strangers to terrorism and mayhem and grief, maybe here in New York more than any other city in America,” Joel said. “Us guys have been to Orlando many times, and we will be back there again, and I just want to dedicate tonight’s concert to the people of Orlando, especially the families and friends and the loved ones of the victims of this senseless massacre, you’re with us and we’re with you.”

The song – from his Greatest Hits Album, Volumes 1 &2 – is available on iTunes and/or Apple Music. It’s a toe-tapping  keeper!  

And below, you can enjoy the performance. #OrlandoStrong

Billy Joel, Singing, Videos
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About Masterclass Lady

Rosanne (Giallonardo) Simunovic began her musical career in Timmins, Ontario. She studied piano with Anne Pizzale and later, at an advanced level, with Soeur Anita Vaugeois (Sister Cecile of Les Soeurs De L’Assomption in Timmins). Her vocal and accompaniment skills were nurtured by her aunt, the late Dorothea Mascioli. When Rosanne graduated from O’Gorman High School, she moved on to the University of Toronto where she continued her piano and vocal studies while attaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She was hired as a piano accompanist for several musical companies, most notably, the National Ballet Of Canada. She presently holds an A.R.C.T. Teacher’s Diploma in Voice from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Rosanne has studied choral conducting with numerous well known Canadian Conductors, including Wayne Riddell of Montreal, Quebec and the internationally renowned Dr. Elmer Iseler. She has been a founding member of numerous community-based arts organizations: the Timmins Arts Council, later known as Arts & Culture Timmins, the Timmins Symphony Orchestra, and, the Timmins Youth Singers…as well as the TYS Alumnus choir, the Timmins Concert Singers. In 1987, she was also selected to be the conductor of the Timmins Board Of Education Choir, comprised of talented students from Grades 5 to 8. In 1988, she was elected to the Board Of Directors of the Ontario Choral Federation (now known as Choirs Ontario), where she served as Chair of the Festivals Committee for six consecutive seasons. In 1996, in honour of the Ontario Choral Federation’s 25th Anniversary, Rosanne was selected as one of 25 recipients of the OCF’s Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contribution to the choral art. The ceremony was presided by Lieutenant Governor, Hal Jackman. In November 1997, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Rotary Club Of Timmins to receive the prestigious Paul Harris Award for her years of dedication to the artistic development of young musical talent in Timmins. In August of 2002, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Board Of Directors of Choirs Ontario to serve as Conductor of both the Provincial Junior and Teen Choir Camps, now renamed in honour of the Camp Benefactors, Don and Lillian Wright. In November 2002, Rosanne was the one of the recipients of the Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, honouring her work in the development of the arts in Timmins. Under Rosanne Simunovic’s direction, the Timmins Youth Singers and the Timmins Concert Singers have been featured in numerous choral festivals and performing opportunities outside of Timmins. In 1985, they were selected to partici
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2 Responses to “Billy Joel Dedicates His MSG Concert To The Orlando Victims – Perfoming His Rarely Heard Song “You’re Only Human”.”

  1. Vocab Mad 08 June 20, 2016 at 10:41 pm

    MCL, I’ve been a devoted Billy Joel fan since his breakout album The Stranger in 1978. He is in my opinion as you have stated an artist who crosses all genres. His songwriting style is second to none, and I’ve read his lyrics with envy, since I try my best to write lyrics, none even close to the brilliant stories he can tell. I saw him in concert in 1987, around the time he last performed this song. I remember it well, don’t recall the album it was on off the top of my head. He is most definitely at one with the audience, and he takes you for a musical ride that you never forget. In fact, I recall him telling us that he was about to perform in Moscow, that was about 2 years before the wall fell in Berlin. He was quite excited about it, and it was evident in his performance that evening. I have fond memories associated with many Billy Joel compositions. I’m trying my hand at playing Just The Way You Are, and it is one complicated piece of music. I do believe he mentioned he was classically trained on the piano, and it certainly is apparent.
    Music heals, and that’s a fact. It’s helped me through bad times, and I suspect will help all those left behind from the violence in Orlando.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. rereader June 21, 2016 at 2:56 pm

    Oh, wow–Billy Joel has been one of my favorite musicians from my high school days, and I had every one of his albums in actual vinyl! I recall that in the recording of “You’re Only Human” there is a bit where he messes up the lyric and laughs. That was a real error during recording, and rather than doing another take he left it in since that was exactly what the song was about. Makes me smile every time!

    Liked by 1 person

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