10 Times Rock Musicians Lost Their Cool On Stage
5. Billy Joel Protests In Tune
Billy Joel's mild mannered take on soft-rock would lead most people to the conclusion that he himself would be a gentle individual, not so.
Speaking to the Today Show back in the '80s, Joel described the reasons for his outburst at his 1987 concert in Moscow.
This was one of the first times an American musician had performed 'rock' music in Russia, and the security were apparently extremely unforgiving when it came to the audience members enjoying themselves. That cold soviet inclination to never enjoy ones self under any situation, unless it's to praise The Motherland, was in full swing, and the security were lighting up the audience in order to expose anyone who was getting too rowdy.
Well in a brilliant and amusing display of opposition, Joel shouted his protest in-between lyrics, maintaining the rhythm while smashing away at his piano. He then proceeded to cavort to the front of the stage and continue the spectacle by smashing up his microphone whilst managing to maintain his vocal performance.
The show must always go on, and Joel - never one to let something get in the way of this sentiment - continued the rest of the concert, with only a few further minor incidents, like smashing up his piano...