Years ago, I met Billy on the street in...I want to say it was Southampton. A friend of mine managed a liquor store. I used to head down there on Saturdays to hang out and help him with deliveries. Anyway, we make this one delivery, start walking back to his SUV, and there was Billy Joel and his daughter, Alexa, getting ice cream. We said hello as we passed, as he did. Just casual. I am sure the Island is probably pretty different now (I grew up there, but I haven't lived there in 20 years), but that was one thing I loved. It was no big deal to see and say hello to local celebs. You just said hey, they said hi, no pictures or any of that. Just shoot the breeze and wish you well. I miss those times.
My mom, back in the early-70s, before I was born, hung out with Billy with various friends at parties in Huntington, she said. Just a regular dude...