Feb 16: Celebrity Visitor

Billy Joel performed in my backyard - almost literally. Yep, right here in Dania Beach, well within earshot of my condo. The funny part is that I not only missed it, but also wondered about all the racket outside. Sigh. This is not so much funny ha-ha as it is funny boo-hoo, of course. About as amusing as a good whack on the funny bone. But it is a most curious little tale for sure. You see, celebrities come and go in South Florida constantly, even in the hot summer months. Sometimes they're here to shoot films and TV series, sometimes they just stop by for some good R&R. Residents like me often read newspaper blurbs about this one being spotted at a local restaurant or that one being spotted on the beach or some other one being spotted on Las Olas.

It's no huge surprise that the Piano Man was in town. I'd even heard about some of the recent Billy Joel sightings. But a week ago, he turned up where no one expected him ... at the Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show. This event is held about a five minute walk from my home and draws bike enthusiasts from all over.

So here was the scene, according to one reliable account: Billy wanders through the crowd of fellow motorcyclists, just looking at the vintage machines like anyone else. Apparently, nobody really had any idea that he was who he was. Not yet. Sounds like Mr. Joel was very low-key about the whole thing. But then, he hops up on the stage with a local band called the Whipping Post. And he turns to the lead singer, Bob, and asks if he can jam with the guys. Can you imagine? I've played in many local bands over the years - and if this had happened to me, I'd have had two reactions. First, I'd have stared at him without a word like an idiot. Second, I'd have recovered quickly before he changed his mind so that I could stammer something like, "Uh, YEAH! Jam away!" He sang three songs in Dania, none of them his own compositions. And here is where that funny-sad part comes in for me. I remember hearing the band through my open windows briefly around this time and thinking to myself, "Hey, what's with all the loud music? Sheesh!" Sheesh, indeed. I mean, there's this world-famous entertainer, the creator of some truly great pop songs, singing for free - outside my windows! And what do I do? I want him to turn down the music, that's what. Oh well. The story goes that Billy signed autographs and posed for some pics following his mini-show. Then he wandered off, jumped on his bike and drove into the afternoon. How cool is that? I guess I can honestly say now that I've heard Billy Joel perform live, huh? And I can add just as honestly that I was sitting inside my condo at the time. And when I tell this story to my friends, the rest of the details will be nobody's business.
(Photo courtesy of Astrid Stawiarz / Getty Images)