Axl Rose and Billy Joel reunite for heartwarming performance in Madison Square Garden

Joel also introduced his two young daughters as he took his final bows, concluding his record-breaking residency.


Pop Culture & Art July 26, 2024
Image: AFP

Billy Joel ensured that his 150th and final residency performance at New York City's Madison Square Garden was unforgettable. The Piano Man was accompanied by none other than Axl Rose for three songs during the landmark concert.

Joel introduced the Guns N’ Roses frontman midway through the set, prompting a loud cheer from the packed arena. After the two rock icons hugged, Joel and his band launched into a cover of Wings' "Live and Let Die" (a track famously covered by GN’R), with Rose taking on lead vocals.

They continued with a cover of AC/DC's "Highway to Hell," a song Rose knows well, as he filled in as the frontman for AC/DC in 2016 when Brian Johnson had to leave the band due to hearing problems.

The concert continued without Axl for the rest of the main set, but he returned during the final song of the encore, contributing his vocals to "You May Be Right."

Following that, Joel introduced his two young daughters as he took his final bows, concluding his record-breaking residency at the "World’s Most Famous Arena."

Earlier in the performance, Jimmy Fallon awarded Joel a banner that read, “Billy Joel 150: Most Lifetime Performances by Any Artist,” which will be hoisted up to the arena’s rafters.

Although Joel has wrapped up his residency at MSG, he has several concerts scheduled in the near future, including upcoming tour dates with Sting. Tickets are available here.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ