Joel adds date at Shea

The New York Mets announced that rock and roll piano man Billy Joel has added a second “final” concert date to his “Last Play as Shea” extravaganza - Friday, July 18.
In their statement, dated Sunday, February 19, the Mets explained that more than 50,000 tickets for the July 16 concert, billed as the last in Shea Stadium’s storied musical history, were sold in only 48 minutes.
This was the fastest sell-out for any event in the 44-year history of Shea Stadium and a tribute to the capacity of the Mets’ internet box-office, www.507TIXX.com.
Some of those speedy ticket-holders, who thought they were in possession of a highly collectible piece of music and stadium history, will have to learn a new word: penultimate - next to the last.
Joel becomes the sixth artist to play multiple shows at Shea Stadium since the British group the Beatles played the first-ever outdoor stadium rock concert at Shea in 1965.
At the press conference announcing the first last show, Joel proclaimed himself a big fan of the local team. When asked about his long-time embrace of the Yankees, Joel said, “I’m a song writer. Have you ever tried to rhyme “Mets?”
He joins Rock & Roll Hall of Famers the Beatles (1965, 1966), The Who (1982), the Rolling Stones (1989), Elton John & Eric Clapton (1992), and Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band (2003) in this select club.
The native Long Islander also becomes the first artist in music history to have played all four of greater New York City’s premier sporting venues: Shea Stadium; Yankee Stadium; Giants Stadium and Madison Square Garden.
Joel’s Madison Square Garden engagement spread over several weeks in early 2006, also set a record of 12 consecutive sold-out shows by a single artist.
Tickets for the ultimate final concert go on sale on Saturday, February 23 at 9 a.m. at www.507TIXX.com and by phone at 718-507-TIXX (8499). Citi cardmembers also will have access to purchase preferred seats through Citi’s Private Pass Program, available to members at www.privatepass.citi.com