Procol Harum and Billy Joel

Procol Harum

Beyond
the Pale

Elsewhere on this website a correspondent wrote, "Billy Joel has 'Procol' written all over some of his music, yet the only influence he cites in that piano/singer vein is Ray Charles. I scour Billy Joel articles and interviews for a long-awaited nod of appreciation to Procol. So far ... nothing."

Eugene Pak writes to 'Beyond the Pale' (May 2010)
"You're right about the Procol Harum influence on Billy Joel. In a radio interview Billy did in the late 70s or early 80s, before a live audience, he talked about lyric writing; I think he was talking about his song Piano Man, and he was saying he wished he could write better lyrics, like "All hands on deck, we've run afloat" (which he sang and played), and he praised that song and lyric, though he did not mention Procol Harum by name nor the song name (A Salty Dog). I had the interview on cassette tape for a while, but lost it. Just thought I'd let you know."

Further comments welcome, of course!