Billy Joel is not in the performing arts industry.
William Martin Joel ( born May 9 , 1949 ) is an American singer-songwriter and pianist . Since releasing his first hit song , `` Piano Man '' , in 1973 , Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States . He is also a six-time Grammy Award winner who has been nominated for 23 Grammy Awards . He has sold more than 150 million records worldwide , making him one of the best-selling artists of all time .