Billy Joel begins Madison Square Garden residency

Billy Joel performs his first show of his Madison Square Garden residency, on Monday, Jan. 27, 2014, in New York. AP

NEW YORK — Billy Joel has begun his residency at Madison Square Garden with an energetic show that covers a wide swath of his musical catalog.

Joel and his band came out to thunderous applause Monday night and launched into “Miami 2017,” a song Joel wrote in the early 1970s about post-apocalyptic New York City. Throughout his set, he covered many of his signature songs, as well as a few more obscure tracks.

The Grammy Award-winning icon announced in December that he will perform at the famed New York City venue every month for as long as New Yorkers demand. He’s set to perform sold-out shows until September with more being added later in the year. His next show is on Monday. His May 9 show commemorates his 65th birthday.

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