The Recording Academy has officially announced the inclusion of legendary singer-songwriter Billy Joel in the lineup of performers for the 66th annual Grammy Awards. Joel, who first graced the Grammy stage in 1988 with his rendition of “New York State Of Mind,” is set to return as a performer for the ceremony on Feb. 4. This news adds another dimension of excitement to an already impressive roster of artists, including Burna Boy, Luke Combs, Travis Scott, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, and Olivia Rodrigo.
A five-time Grammy winner and recipient of the Grammy Legend Award, Billy Joel’s confirmation as a performer comes on the heels of his recent announcement about the release of “Turn the Lights Back On,” his first new single in 17 years. Collaborating with producer Freddy Wexler, known for his work with a diverse range of artists from Ariana Grande to Kanye West, Joel co-wrote the single. The song also credits additional writers Wayne Hector (Nicki Minaj, One Direction) and Arthur Bacon.
Despite the hiatus in releasing new material, the 74-year-old artist has maintained a prominent presence on the performance circuit. With numerous residencies at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, Joel has been a consistent draw for fans. Last July, he declared that his residency at the iconic venue would conclude in July 2024 with his 100th performance in the series.
The 2024 Grammy Awards, set to take place at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, Feb. 4, from 8-11:30 p.m. ET / 5-8:30 p.m. PT, promises to be a night filled with exceptional musical performances. The event will be broadcast live on the CBS Television Network and will also be available for live streaming and on-demand viewing on Paramount+. Notably, top nominees for this year’s awards include Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo, each receiving six nods, while R&B star SZA leads with nine nominations. Other notable nominees include Victoria Monét, Phoebe Bridgers, and mixing engineer Serban Ghenea. The stage is set for a memorable evening celebrating the best in the music industry.
