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Billy Joel set for NY record

Joel has sold more than 80 million albums in the United States, making him the sixth top-selling US artist ever.

Billy Joel. AFP

Billy Joel is set to break his own record for the most straight performances at New York’s famed Madison Square Garden after he announced on Friday a 13th show on his latest tour.

The 65-year-old “Piano Man” announced a new show at the arena for January 9 in Midtown Manhattan, one of the most prestigious venues for big-ticket artists.

Since January this year, the New York native’s 12 previous appearances at Madison Square Garden have all sold out the 18,200-seat arena. Concert chart Billboard Boxscore estimated that Joel’s first 10 shows grossed more than $20 million.

Joel previously set the record with a 12-show run in 2006, beating out another top American performer Bruce Springsteen.

The Garden, home to the New York Knicks basketball team, put up a jersey-style banner that said “Joel - 12.”

But Joel’s January show, his 59th at Madison Square Garden since 1978 not including his participation at benefit shows, still does not match British icon Elton John’s record of 64 total performances at the venue.

Joel has sold more than 80 million albums in the United States, making him the sixth top-selling US artist ever. Some of his most popular hits include Uptown Girl, Just The Way You Are and The Longest Time.

Madison Square Garden, built in its modern form in 1968, is the top-selling music venue in the United States.

Besides music and sports, it is also the site for large-scale community events.