Billy Joel joins Rick Beato's podcast for an interview

Billy Joel was interviewed Monday on a popular YouTube podcast hosted by music-business figure Rick Beato. 

Though the hourlong interview, recorded on June 25, found Joel covering some familiar ground, it may also serve as a fount of wisdom for aspiring songwriters. Prompted by Beato, Joel talks about how Classical music informed his own compositions and how he crafted several of his better-known tunes. He recalls the one-day burst of creativity behind "Allentown," credits former drummer Liberty DeVitto for coming up with a rather off-color early chorus for "Honesty," and explains how his left and right hands trace different emotions on "Summer, Highland Falls."

Joel, who famously quit writing rock songs following 1993’s "River of Dreams," also recalls his advice to a young musician who called him: "You better learn how to stop songwriting, because it’s gonna drive you crazy," Joel recalls saying. "You’ll go insane."

In a short preview clip sent to media, Joel sits before a piano and notes the importance of vowel sounds while coming up with lyrics, then plays a few seconds of "Start Me Up," a Rolling Stones nugget from 1981.

"This is the Keith Richards school of songwriting. It’s called ‘vowel movements,’ " Joel tells Beato, then hastens to add: "That’s what he called it!"

Joel’s interview is another big get for Beato, a musician and producer who launched a podcast in 2015. His show, "Everything Music," has featured a wide variety of well-known stars — including Sting, Geddy Lee and David Gilmour — but also behind-the-scenes types such as audio engineer Eddie Kramer and journeyman guitarist Dominic Miller. Beato's YouTube channel currently has more than 5 million followers.

The interview is also a rare public appearance from Joel, 77, who last year canceled all live performances following his diagnosis with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a brain disorder that can cause problems with hearing and balance. (Beato did not ask Joel about his health or future plans.) Joel last sat for an interview on Bill Maher’s "Club Random" podcast in July 2025. He also popped up this past January at an event in Wellington, Florida, to play a couple songs with Turnstiles, a local Joel tribute band. He has a home in the Wellington area. In June, Joel inducted his longtime booking agent, Dennis Arfa, into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame in Stony Brook.

By Rafer Guzmán

rafer.guzman@newsday.com