Meet some of Long Island's biggest Billy Joel fans

Brett Nangle, Brookhaven

Brett Nangle, 31, of Brookhaven stopped at Billy Joel's motorcycle shop, 20th Century Cycles, in Oyster Bay the day after his Madison Square Garden show in May 2015 and actually met the Piano Man himself: "Billy was putting some magazines into the seat bag of his motorcycle when I walked up and greeted him. I told him how much I enjoyed the show the night before and asked if I could take a quick picture. He said, 'Sure, no problem.' He was very nice about it."

John Langton, Elmont

A birthday caricature of Billy Joel by John Langton, 58, of Elmont.

Jill Loddo, Lindenhurst

Jill Loddo, 30, of Lindenhurst met Billy Joel back in 2010 outside his motorcycle shop, 20th Century Cycles, in Oyster Bay while commuting as a music student at Five Towns College: “He asked me what instrument I majored in and I told him bass guitar. He took a picture with me and wished me best of luck with school. He was so down to earth and I appreciate the five minutes he took out of his day to talk to me. It's definitely one of my favorite memories.”

Maureen Smith, Lynbrook

Billy Joel fan Maureen Smith, 58, of Lynbrook has a memorabilia collection that includes a denim jacket she says former wife Christie Brinkley tried on when she met her at a Montauk fundraiser in 1990. “Later that evening I wrote a thank you letter to her for being so kind to me and posing with my jacket. I asked if she had any pull in getting me a backstage pass the next month in August at Giants Stadium to get my jacket signed by Billy. She not only got the letter and read it but arranged for Maritime Music to call me and grant my wish! It was a moment I will never forget and I have Christie to thank!” Smith says.

Smith has a memorabilia collection that includes a denim jacket she says former wife Christie Brinkley tried on when she met her at a Montauk fundraiser in 1990. 

Patricia DeRosa Padden, Montauk

Billy Joel fan Patricia DeRosa Padden of Montauk with her memorabilia collection.

A handwritten birthday note for Billy Joel from DeRosa Padden.

Samantha Schroder, Roslyn Heights

Piano teacher Samantha Schroder, 33, of Roslyn Heights with her Billy Joel music books.

Schroder wrote a birthday message to Billy Joel.

Dr. Mitchell A. Greenbaum, Dix Hills

Dr. Mitchell A. Greenbaum, 56, of Dix Hills proudly displays a one-of-a-kind painting of an ‘80s-era Billy Joel, which he commissioned from artist Roberto Parada. It hangs on the wall of his podiatry office in Roslyn Heights. “This is my prized possession,” says Greenbaum, who is going to Joel’s 70th birthday show on May 9 at Madison Square Garden. “I’m a rock and roll guy and Billy is my favorite because he’s a Long Island guy. He’s not in Hollywood, he lives in our community.”

Frank Dowd III, Smithtown

Frank Dowd III, 41, of Smithtown, with his Billy Joel memorabilia collection.

A handwritten note from Dowd for Billy Joel's 70th birthday.