Billy Joel, the legendary singer-songwriter who is concluding his decade-long residency at Madison Square Garden Thursday (July 25), has a lot of friends — in addition to the nearly two million ticket-buying fans who have flocked to his repeat performances at the Manhattan arena he’s called home since 2014.
And through the course of his record-setting run at the Garden, Joel has welcomed many of his fellow artists — and family members, including daughters Alexa Ray Joel and Della Rose Joel — onstage for choice songs and unforgettable moments. The staggering list of big-name guests he’s invited to join the MSG stage with him over the past 10 years includes such legends as Sting, John Mellencamp, Elvis Costello, Tony Bennett, Paul Simon and John Fogerty, along with more 21st century hitmakers like John Mayer, Miley Cyrus, Gavin DeGraw and even Olivia Rodrigo.
Collectively, these famous buds and music luminaries have helped Joel host an ongoing celebration of his decades of success within pop and rock — one that’s lasted a decade in its own right by this point. In the meantime, he’s also managed to rack up an impressive number of milestones as one of the most esteemed and popular live performers of his era, particularly in conjunction with the Manhattan venue familiarly known as The World’s Most Famous Arena.
Here’s a look at all Joel’s guests and milestones during his MSG residency, organized by date — from the beginning of his run all the way back in January 2014, right up to the final show tomorrow night.