Elaine Raines has been the librarian at the Arizona Daily Star for almost 30 years. While she does not claim to be a historian, she does have access to a treasure trove of great historical information.
"Tales from the Morgue" is a way to share some of that information with readers.
If you have an idea for a tale from Tucson's past that you would like to share, please e-mail morguetales@ azstarnet.com.
The multi-talented Billy Joel entertained Tucson audiences several times in the 1970s and 80s. Some trips were more successful than others. Like the time in 1977 when he got snowbound in Flagstaff.
Star files Billy Joel
It was the biggest snowfall of the season that stranded Billy Joel and his entourage in Flagstaff, in late February 1977. The Tucson show had to be postponed a couple of days. The Star previewed Joel for a concert later in 1977, but either he didn’t make it or the concert was not reviewed.
In November 1978, he packed the TCC Arena. The Star review said Joel was a singer of the 70s. “He is a pianist who poses for publicity shots cleaning his nails with drumsticks or holding a trumpet, he wears jeans with his jacket and tie and, mot importantly, Joel’s songs are all about Me.” Although the crowd loved him, the reviewer’s opinion is not quite as clear.
When he was here in 1984, a different reviewer went to the concert with a mixed opinions of Joel. “But Joel made up my mind for me last night at the Tucson Community Center Arena. This guy’s all right.” The sold-out crowd was surprisingly sedate. She wrote “This was partly due to the older average age of its members.” It was over 90 minutes into the concert before anyone danced in the aisles.
1986 Star photo Billy Joel in concert at the TCC.
By 1986, when he performed here again, Billy Joel had grown up. By then he was married to Christie Brinkley and a new father, the tone of his music had changed. “now, his music is less cynical, less snotty, and some would say not as good.” His fans, at least all 9,500 at the TCC, seemed to still love him.
