The Piano Man Finally Gets His Diploma

On this day in 1992, 43-year-old singer, pianist, and songwriter Billy Joel officially graduated from Long Island’s Hicksville High School. He attended the school’s graduation ceremony along with 305 members of the class of ‘92.

Joel had originally been on track to graduate from the school in 1967. But he fell a credit short when he overslept after playing a late-night gig at a piano bar and missed a crucial English exam the following morning. He had taken the job playing piano, at least in part, to help support his family.

The 18-year-old performer could have attended summer school to earn his diploma, but he decided to move forward with his career in music instead. Said Joel: "I told them, 'To hell with it. If I'm not going to Columbia University, I'm going to Columbia Records, and you don't need a high school diploma over there'."

Twenty-five years later, Joel submitted samples of his songwriting to Hicksville High in lieu of the missed exam. They more than satisfied the requirements for graduation, according to the school’s principal.

The musician-songwriter also addressed the graduating class at the commencement ceremony. Included in his comments was this piece of advice:

"Don't rush blindly into some convenient job that you will hate in a few years. Don't make a lot of logical, tidy, sensible plans right away. Why not kick back for a few weeks and give yourselves a long, sweet summer of love?"


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