Billy Joel to play PNC Park in August

Elton John isn’t the only Piano Man coming back to Pittsburgh next year.

Billy Joel will host a concert at PNC Park on Aug. 11, 2022.

The Pittsburgh Pirates, along with former Pirate Steve Blass, made the announcement Thursday at home plate of the ballpark with a grand piano and the Pirate Parrot on hand.

At the same time, they unveiled a white Pirates jersey with the number 22 and Joel’s name on the back.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Nov. 19 through ticketmaster.com. American Express Card Members can purchase tickets at 10 a.m. Monday through Nov. 18.

Joel joins Sir Elton, who is also playing PNC Park next summer on Sept. 16 as part of his farewell tour.

Billy Joel will play PNC Park on August 11, 2022. Steve Blass made the announcement at home plate minutes ago. pic.twitter.com/4Czl6Ok9Zc

— Paul Guggenheimer (@PGuggenheimer) November 11, 2021

“We’re thrilled to welcome Billy Joel back to Pittsburgh and PNC Park,” said Pirates president Travis Williams. “(Joel) is one of the biggest concert draws in the world, selling out arenas and stadiums across the globe, and a favorite here at our park. This will be an amazing night.”

Joel last performed at the home of the Pirates on July 1, 2016.

“We’re excited to bring Billy back to Pittsburgh,” said Tom Loudermilk, president of Live Nation Pittsburgh. “His fans in Pittsburgh have been waiting a while, and last time he was here the response was so incredible we ended up selling out very quickly. We’re looking forward to another successful show.”

Joel’s hit songs include “Just The Way You Are,” “Uptown Girl,” “The Longest Time,” and “Piano Man.” He is the recipient of six Grammy Awards and has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

For his part, Blass said he is a big fan.

“Billy Joel has always been a favorite of mine,” he said. “I can remember the lyrics of songs from all his great albums, ‘The Stranger’ album, ‘Just The Way You Are,’ ‘Piano Man,’ ‘Vienna.’ I remember them all. The stories he tells within a song are just magic. I just never get tired of Billy Joel.”

Blass said he has never met Joel and wasn’t sure if that would happen when he’s in Pittsburgh.

“Just being in the same building will be a pleasure for me.”

Former Pirates infielder Neil Walker was also on hand for the announcement. Even though he wasn’t even born when Joel was in the prime of his career in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, Walker said he is also a fan.

“I’m kind of a closet ’80s music fan — Phil Collins and Billy Joel and some of these performers who are so iconic,” Walker said. “I love (Joel’s) music like so many people do. So I’m definitely bookmarking August 11 to get down here and watch him perform.”