Billy Joel gives Northampton some love on Stern Show

FROM KEITH GROLLER

After that controversial school board meeting last week, Northampton has taken a beaten in the PR department.

And that's a shame.

But it's clear that the town, especially the Roxy Theater, made an impression on Piano Man superstar Billy Joel.

During an interview on the Howard Stern Show on satellite radio this week (it was done on Tuesday morning but repeated just now on Friday afternoon), Stern asked Joel about the "Allentown" song.

Joel talked about playing various spots around here when he was just getting started. I know he was especially terrific at Ag Hall.
He remembered that this area is known as the Lehigh Valley and he remembered that there's a lot of colleges around here, but couldn't remember the names of any school -- not even Muhlenberg -- where he performed.

But Joel mentioned Northampton and the Roxy Theater by name and expressed a fondness for the place.

He remembered that he once vowed to come back, but never did, as his star soared.

He also talked about Allentown feeling dissed by the lyrics in the famous song.

It was just a cool segment.

Stern, when he keeps it clean, can be a terrific interviewer and the Joel interview was very enlightening, especially for a big Billy Joel fan like yours truly.

I am also a fan of the Roxy and hope to get back to see something at one of the Lehigh Valley's treasured venues soon.

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