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Elio Pace talks to Yorkshire Coast Gigs about The Billy Joel Songbook, which is at The Spa, Scarborough, this Friday, 28th November. 

On why Elio chose to create the Billy Joel Songbook show:
It has been a dream of mine for 30 years to do this show, ever since I fell in love with his song ‘This Night’ when I heard it in the mid 80s sometime. I waited and waited, expecting somebody to put together a concert show of Billy Joel’s songs but no one ever did, so I decided it was my calling.

On what to expect from the show:
Hit after hit after hit with some fantastic lesser-known album tracks thrown in there for the diehard fans. Approximately 38 songs in a three-hour show all played live by myself and my fantastic band. If you love Billy Joel’s songs and you have no plans to visit America, you most probably won’t ever get to see him or hear his songs live again because he’s given up touring the world. There is nothing like the real thing and I’m not trying to be Billy Joel, I don’t come out doing an impression of Billy Joel, it’s me being me, channelling his phenomenal songs to fans like me that want to hear them live. If he won’t come to the UK to do it himself, then someone else has to do it… Nobody else is, so it may as well be me.

On the thrill of his first performance with Billy Joel’s band:
It was the indescribable thrill of a lifetime to actually make music with Larry Russell on bass, Rhys Clark on drums and Don Evans on guitar, the guys that were there right at the beginning of Billy Joel’s solo career.

On his favourite Billy Joel tracks and Joel’s style of music:
I really don’t have a standout favourite song that I always go back to. Each song has a special memory attached to it for me and every single song thrills me because of its incredible musical composition. The thing that, for me, sets him apart from EVERYONE else in the history of Rock and Roll is the eclectic variety and range of colour in his music. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge and understanding of all things music (and history) and the musical ability to ‘sculpt’ in any genre he chooses to the highest quality. On top of this he’s an amazing vocalist and lyricist. In my opinion, he is the most over-qualified Rock Star of all-time.

On his other inspirations: Elvis Presley was without a doubt my main influence as a kid. Listening to Elvis now is like coming home.

On touring: The best thing is the challenge of meeting a brand new audience and communicating with them through the music that my fantastic band and I create. It’s a two-way thing we give, they give, so we give extra and they respond a little more… It’s a thrill. Playing live is the greatest privilege in this business.

For tickets to see Elio Pace perform The Billy Joel Songbook at Scarborough Spa, click here

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