Billy Joel at Shea Stadium

Here in New York Shea Stadium (home of the Mets) is being demolished and will be replaced with a new arena, ready for Spring '09. The new stadium is being built on the parking lot of the old stadium. As soon as the new stadium is completely ready, the old will be demolished for the new parking lot! (Even I had to reread that but it does make sense!)

Here's a shot you won't see for long--the 2 stadiums adjacent to each other!


Knowing this would occur, the powers that be decided there needed to be one last blow out concert at Shea during its last season. The choice? New York's own Billy Joel. I pecked away at the computer the morning tix went on sale and was luckily able to grab 2.

My hubby and I took the train into Queens last evening. The night was sooo sultry and after a few train and subway rides we were parched. As I was taking this shot on the walkover bridge from the train station, we heard a large crack. We walked a little faster down the entry plank not really knowing what the noise was. Behind us we could hear thunderous rolling. Turning around, we saw what had happened: there was a man about 10 feet behind us who was holding a styrofoam cooler filled with ice and cans of beer. The cooler had split in his hands and the beer was rolling down at us! We scrambled to retreive the beer to give back to the fellow.

"Never mind!", he yelled, "Finder's keepers, losers weepers! Enjoy the beer!!" and he disappeared into the crowd. We looked at each other. We were thirsty, the walkover bridge was jammed. Knowing good karma when I see it, I pulled my hubby out of the way of the bustling crowd and we had the coldest, most delicious Heineken beer of my life! I do not know if you have ever experienced New York humidity but when it's humid, it's HUMID. We watched the subways come in and out of Shea and enjoyed quenching our thirst! Hee-hee!


We finally did make our way into the stadium! Billy Joel dubbed this performance THE LAST PLAY AT SHEA.

The last beer at Shea...
Sunset dimmed and out he came!
Not a great pic, sorry! Singing his heart out!
Special guest was Tony Bennett!
Later, he had Don Henley and John Mayer join him for a few songs!

Lastly, John Cougar Mellencamp appeared. Billy Joel's percussionist also works with JCM. I know this as she is a friend of mine's sister. (No, I did not get good seats as a result! Ah, well! But she is one talented lady!!)

What a great evening! Billy Joel is a talented musician and a grounded man. He thanked the audience for letting him do his job as a career and then we all sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"!

Nothing like a sultry New York evening filled with good music and beer rolling at you right when you need it! :0)