Phamous in Philadelphia for phiphteen minutes once again

Philadelphia Magazine is retelling the story of Billy Joel's breakout to stardom in Philadelphia and it's all my fault!

Here’s How Philadelphia Created Billy Joel

The hitmaker, who plays Philly on Friday, tells us all about it.

....Back in 1971, Joel was a no-name 22-year-old from Long Island. In November of that year, he released his first album, Cold Spring Harbor, which got virtually no attention or airplay. But then one day in 1972, Philly music producer Dennis Wilen, who had launched a live WMMR concert series from Philadelphia’s Sigma Sound Studios, got wind of this singer-pianist named Billy Joel during a visit to New York. Wilen invited Joel to do one of those WMMR live broadcasts....

Read the whole story @ Philadelphia Magazine Thanks to VINNIE for the clipping.

Look. Mom! I'm big in Japan!

If this is what they mean by globalization, count me in! Or source me out. However it works.

My music with/by Billy Joel is hella story. Read all about it here....

#TBT July 1971: The Flying Burrito Brothers at Sigma Sound

‪#‎TBT‬ July 1971.

I brought country rockers The Flying Burrito Brothers into Philly's famed Sigma Sound Studios for one of my WMMR radio concerts. With Jay Mark and Joseph Tarsia behind the board, it sounded something like this ...

Hey, Mom! We made the Philly Pops Billy Joel Program Book

If you're at the Kimmel Center for the Music of Billy Joel concert by the Philly Pops, you might recognize this handsome young guy in the program book.

#TBT: My Robin Trower tape, next to David Bowie in the Sigma Sound vaults

The image is from the excellent WNYY/Newsworks article David Bowie's days amid the young Americans in Philly [photos].

I produced and recorded a live radio concert with guitarist Robin Trower, remote from Sigma Sound Studios, in Philadelphia, for radio station WMMR in 1974.

It sounded something like this...

Steeleye Span Live at the Main Point: GAUDETE

This is one of my favorite Christmas carols -- the Latin hymn GAUDETE (rejoice). Check out Steeleye Span -- a cappella, baby -- at the Main Point in December 1972. From a live radio concert remote broadcast I produced for WMMR. Merry Christmas!

How my version of 'Captain Jack' made Billy Joel a star

I spoke with Philadelphia Magazine's Victor Fiorillo two months ago about Billy Joel and me. His story is now online:

Billy Joel has released just one studio album in the past 20 years — a 2001 recording of his classical compositions that you’ve likely never heard. Yet when he takes the stage in Philadelphia on August 13th, he’ll do so at Citizens Bank Park in front of some 40,000 fans and play through his repertoire of modern American classics. He’s a true star, and one with a fiercely loyal following. But it wasn’t always that way.

Back in 1971, Joel was a no-name 22-year-old from Long Island. In November of that year, he released his first album, Cold Spring Harbor, which got virtually no attention or airplay.

Then one day in 1972, local music producer Dennis Wilen [photo], who had launched a live WMMR concert series from Philadelphia’s Sigma Sound Studios, got wind of Joel during a visit to New York and invited him to do a show.

Continued @ PhillyMag.com....

Leo Sayer Live at the Trenton War Memorial (intro)

 

WMMR's Michael Tearson introduces Leo Sayer at the Trenton (NJ) War Memorial concert hall on March 12. 1975. The concert was recorded and later broadcast on the station. Radio concert produced for WMMR by Dennis Wilen. Sound by Mom's Wholesome Audio.

Jackson Browne Live 1975: Song for Adam

"Well, it wouldn't be a set from me if it didn't have at least ... one song about death and despair..."-- JB, 2007

Jackson Browne and David Lindley live at Main Point, Bryn Mawr, PA. 9/7/1975. Produced for WMMR by Dennis Wilen.