As Billy Joel continues his residency at Madison Sq. Backyard, “The Piano Man” introduced out particular visitor Elvis Costello Tuesday night time to carry out Costello’s “Pump It Up” and duet on Joel’s “Allentown.”
The visitor look got here in the midst of Joel’s 25-song set with “Pump It Up” main into “Allentown,” in keeping with setlist.fm.
Video from a fan shot The historic collaboration debuted in live performance Tuesday night time on X, previously Twitter.
Whereas it might appear to be an odd pairing on the floor, Costello could have had an affect on Joel. Costello’s punk-era basic “Pump It Up” was launched in 1978. Just a few years later, for his 1980 album Glass homesJoel admitted that it was time for him to pump it up.
“I wished to jot down larger songs that had quite a lot of power,” Joel stated in {a magazine} interview. Billboard Guide of Quantity One Albums. “By the point I began writing songs for Glass homes“I felt like I wanted to jot down songs that had been larger, that might be louder, lots quicker, shorter, and extra highly effective.”
“There was a brand new wave impact, however I did not attempt to do new wave,” he added.
As for Costello, in a 2008 interview with Spin, the interviewer informed the singer-songwriter that “Songfacts.com studies that individuals who dig ‘Pump It Up’ additionally like ‘We Did’t Begin the Hearth,’ ‘Layla,'” “I’ll keep alive.”
“Perhaps,” Costello replied. “We did not significantly begin the hearth.” Who is that this, Journey? “
When informed it was Joel, Costello stated, “Okay. He is bought some good tunes.”
Costello is simply Joel’s newest all-star visitor throughout his keep. For his one centesimal live performance at MSG, he introduced out John Fogerty, ZZ High’s Billy Gibbons, AC/DC’s Brian Johnson, John Mayer, John Mellencamp, Paul Simon, and extra.
Joel introduced final month that his MSG residency will conclude together with his one hundred and fiftieth present on the legendary New York venue on July 25, 2024.