Before Piano Man, Billy Joel rocked with Attila

While growing up on Long Island, Billy Joel was a bit of Big Deal. I think they issued the LPs to us at school.

My friend Dan heard a rumor that Billy Joel had once recorded something totally psychedelic. No way? Way.

The internet hadn’t yet been discovered, so we did the next best thing: kept our eyes open while visiting the local record shops.

One day, we found it: Attila. 

I’m sure I have that bootleg cassette here somewhere but, of course, it’s now on the YouTubes.

AllMusic says it was a commercial disaster. I’m listening to it now, and those critics are wrong. 

I thought the second song was better than the first, but you can decide. 

Funny, I didn't hear him do a shout-out to that part of his life during the Madison Square Gardens special on TV.

I high school friend's Mom grew up in his neighborhood. She wasn't allowed to socialize with him. He was a "bad" kid apparently. 😆 

VolvoHeretic said:

Funny, I didn't hear him do a shout-out to that part of his life during the Madison Square Gardens special on TV.

I know, right? 

I so wish he broke out the B3 and did a little something from the back catalog. 

Strong "guess who" vibes. 

vwcorvette (Forum Supporter) said:

I high school friend's Mom grew up in his neighborhood. She wasn't allowed to socialize with him. He was a "bad" kid apparently. 😆 

Catholic girl?

Oh I dig that way more than his solo stuff, with the possible exception of Captain Jack. 

The LP cover photo is pretty hilarious.

In reply to stuart in mn :

We found a bootleg copy. I can’t recall what was on the cover, but pretty sure we eventually found other bootlegs with different art.