After failed suicide attempt, Billy Joel decided to continue his music career, this time he tried to be a pop solo career musician. In November 1971 Billy Joel released his first solo album ‘Cold Spring Harbor’ under label of Family Production. His first album never been on top chart, and Billy Joel earned very little money from the sale. This album also had some technical issue during recording session, resulting on Billy Joel’s voice sounding a semitone too high. (This technical issue was corrected when he re-released ‘Cold Spring Harbor’ under Columbia Records in 1983.)
However, this album was not a total failure at all. In 1972 Billy Joel (he was using ‘Bill Martin’ as his stage name at this period) moved to LA and performed at a local piano bar. Later he started an US and Puerto Rico tour to promote his album. This tour was succeeded, and his songs became local hits on East Coast area. In 1972 Billy Joel signed a contract with Columbia Records, which gave him bigger opportunity to develop his music career.
‘Piano Man’ is Billy Joel’s second solo album, the first album under Columbia Records. This album was released in 1973 with better promotion, but this album only peaked 27th on Billboard album chart. Billy Joel released his third album ‘Streetlife Serenade’. This album only peaked 34th on Billboard album chart and considered as one of Billy Joel’s worst album, but Billy Joel marks the beginning of Billy Joel’s charismatic vocal style.
In 1976 Billy Joel decided to go back to NY, leaving LA behind. Shortly after his arrival, Billy Joel assembles a new band and recording his fourth album ‘Turnstiles’. This album’s first song, ‘Say Goodbye to Hollywood’ reflects how he feels about leaving LA. But the most memorable hit from this album is ‘New York State of Mind’, a jazzy song which later became his signature song.
