Billy Joel surprises fans at The Paramount in Huntington
Billy Joel makes a surprise appearance with the Billy Joel tribute band Big Shot at the Paramount in Huntington on Friday night, June 24, 2016. Credit: Newsday / John Paraskevas
Billy Joel tribute band singer Michael DelGuidice wasn’t the only big shot on stage Friday night at the Paramount in Huntington – Billy Joel took the stage with DelGuidice’s band Big Shot in the middle of their set, surpising fans with a three-song set.
Joel descended from the VIP area where he was watching the show with his wife, Alexis Roderick. He bypassed material from his own catalog and instead had some fun jamming on covers of The Beatles’ “With a Little Help From My Friends,” done Joe Cocker-style, and the Rolling Stones’ “Honky Tonk Women.”
“What’s in here?” Joel said to DelGuidice after taking a swig of a Poland Spring bottle. “I hope you’re not driving!”
The band, which consists of guitarist Tommy Byrnes, drummer Chuck Burgi and guitarist/background vocalist DelGuidice — all from Joel’s touring unit — played along with sheer zest, turning the Paramount into Madison Square Garden for 15 minutes. The audience instantly exploded, recognizing its good fortune.
Joel awarded them with one of his biggest hits, “You May Be Right,” which DelGuidice blended with Led Zeppelin’s “Rock & Roll.”
“My man Mike!” Joel said with a big grin. “I only live down the road from here.”
As Joel exited, DelGuidice joked around saying, “That’s it, goodnight!” After toweling his brow, he recovered.
“Was that a treat?” he said. “It took me six songs to realize what was happening.”
Fans in the crowd were elated yet stunned by Joel’s hush-hush guest appearance.
“We were so surprised,” said Christi Battaglia, 47, of East Northport who was in the front row. “People pay big money to see him. We got it for cheap!”
Big Shot fan Kim Guerriero of Lindenhurst was celebrating her 46th birthday centerstage on the floor and got more than she expected.
“This was the best gift,” she said. “What an amazing night for all of us!”
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.
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