https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCd0JfW93fc. They went, Thats it! Thats pretty much it. If we can do that, we deserve to go out and perform. You want to say, This is Mick Jones. But you dont want to do that. We need to forget about this. The rest is history. As a member of "The Billy Joel Band" from 1975-81, he contributed immensely to such landmark albums as "The Stranger", "52nd Street" and "Glass Houses". We rehearsed up at the Dakota. That was Yoko Ono showing the duplicity of our government and the country. There arent a single record where you can go, Thats crap.. He is 74 years old. It turned out those two young musicians were great sax player Richie Cannata and his friend, a Long Island kid, who would become world-wide legend Billy Joel. It would just cruise and do what it had to do. When I was a kid, I wanted to be all of Traffic. It was a great band. At the very end of the solo, Billy literally stops the band. Over the years Cannata's performing style has been influenced by John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Gene Ammons, and King Curtis. This was live to track, frankly. It was crazy. The band began with the recording of his first album as a solo artist in 1971; it stabilized around 1975 and underwent several lineup changes in the late 1980s and early 1990s. On Storm Front and River of Dreams, he used different musicians. How did you wind up on Foreigner 4? Ive been so, so blessed with this balancing act that Ive been doing. Blah blah blah., Now were in the studio. How did all that go down? I remember seeing Johns bloody glasses on a window sill. I applaud our Piano Man and God bless him. And then all of a sudden at the end, Roy said, I want it to sound like theres a train in the distance. After leaving the band in 1981,[3] he opened Cove City Sound Studios in Glen Cove, New York. I had two days to be home with my family. Democrats, Republicans, Americans, Europeans, every color, were all in this together. Richie Cannata was born on 1948 in New York City, New York, USA, is an Actor, Music Department, Soundtrack. Joel also added lead guitarist David Brown in 1978 who stayed with the band throughout the 1980s, beginning with the recording of Glass Houses (1980). www.richiecannata.com In 1981, he left the band to open "Cove City Sound Studios" in Glen Cove, Long Island New York. Cannata was born 3 March 1949[4] in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Ernest (26 March 1914 14 April 1993)[5] and Anna (February 25, 1926 1 April 2007)[6] Cannata. In this horrible time, I am so over-the-moon grateful to Billy, as we all are. I was definitely bitten. Theres not even a saxophone on it. My three favorite Billy songs are This Is the Time, So It Goes and All About Soul. They are just great songs. It was then that Billy asked Id say 'yeah.'". Appears On See All Long Road to Freedom (feat. This happened just before the two big hits I Love You Just The Way You Are and New York State of Mind were released. Thats how much it means to me. Just call him and hell understand. Im like, Aw shit., My father used to say, Follow the bad road quickly. I did not wait. Its the same with the vocals for Jukebox Hero or Tell Her About It or Uptown Girl. Any time those are in a movie or commercial, I get residuals. It includes the following musicians: Billy Joel Band in 2007. Without casting aspersions, can you sing one melody off the last three Elton John records? They will. We are fully credentialed by all nine major New York sports teams. And Billy and [saxophonist] Richie [Cannata] had already parted ways. Ill do it. I have sung vocal parts for every incarnation of this band. I always read that his last time onstage was with Elton John in 1974, which is just not true. So I sang it, played on Only the Good Die Young and we got to Just the Way You Are and I played the solo [sings solo]. Which is fine. Together they went out to Caribou Ranch in Colorado and Since that record has been released, Richie has What is a Mutt? Nobody had heard of him at the time. In August 1995, Joel's long-time bassist Doug Stegmeyer, who had been let go from the band prior to the recording of 1989's Storm Front album, committed suicide in his Long Island home. I know other situations where guys have played with certain bands for years and they made three-year commitments and the rug has been pulled out from under them. He is God and Ill go on record to say that. You created a key part of it. Id be the first to be honest with him. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Did I screw it up that badly? He comes up to me, gives me a kiss and says, As long as you want to be in my band, youve got a gig. Hes kept his word and apparently Im keeping mine. After Cannata's departure from the band, the pair went on to play on such favorites as "Allentown," "Goodnight Saigon," "Pressure," "The Longest Time," "Keepin' The Faith," "Uptown Girl," "Tell Her About It," "A Matter Of Trust," and many, many more. And whats really crazy to think about as time went on, I played with John, met Paul, and became Ringos musical director. [Clives] insistence is what led us to record Tycoon with Mutt. He has made such an amount of wealth from his primary career as a Musician. I didnt know anything about this. He looked stunned for a second. Tell me your favorite memory of John Entwistle from that tour. I know that Billy is still writing classical music. I started taking lessons from my uncle. Youre used to playing the Garden every month and stadiums all over the world. Thats all I can say. Manage Settings Yeah. My record collection was Hendrix, Cream, R&B, Traffic. They go, Whats your least favorite Billy Joel song? I go, Captain Jack because its so fuckin long., David Brown plays some beautiful stuff on This Is the Time. Thats still the original band that I joined. Liberty played drums on every Billy Joel album from. His first name is "Richie" and his last name is . Every night, the entire set would run though and Id play all these great songs with Peter and Simon, who would do [Frees] All Right Now. But the third song from the end Id be like, Learn that part. I believe, and I know in my heart of hearts, that people are so, so starved for escapism and entertainment. Here, these artists tell their complete stories, giving an up-close look at life on musics A list. Richie Cannata - saxophones, flute, clarinet, percussion, keyboards David Brown - lead guitar, occasional percussion, backing vocals This was the basic lineup for some of Joel's classic albums of the 1970s and 1980s including Turnstiles, The Stranger, 52nd Street, Glass Houses,and Songs in the Attic. The incredible thing is that the last time he sang that song live, I was with him. But I grew up playing all those songs from all those guys in the band, between the Who and BachmanTurner Overdrive, Grand Funk Railroad, Billy Preston. Tons of other shows at the Fillmore like Deep Purple opening up for Creedence Clearwater Revival. He was a gentle soul with a huge heart. I had to call Bruce Grakal, Ringos manager and someone that has been with him forever. The other 22 hours of the day, its how you get along. By the late 1970s, the touring and studio lineup of Joel's band stabilized and consisted, mostly, of the following musicians: This was the basic lineup for some of Joel's classic albums of the 1970s and 1980s including Turnstiles, The Stranger, 52nd Street, Glass Houses, and Songs in the Attic. I believe when we finally do our first show at Madison Square Garden, when that comes to be, itll make The Last Play at Shea look like a gig at CBGBs. He played in school bands and with fellow local musicians, perfecting his trade on the local music scene as a live performer and studio musician. | He said, I want you to learn Only the Good Die Young, Just the Way You Are, and one other song that I cant remember for the life of me. I went out to Long Island with my alto. We had a 101102 fever for two weeks. It went on and on and on. He is most notable for playing saxophone in Billy Joel's band alongside Liberty DeVitto, Russell Javors, and Doug Stegmeyer. Its when the Beatles were on The Ed Sullivan Show. Dude, you werent really paying attention. I wasnt going to argue. Were going on tour! I said, Thats why Im calling. The 1993 River of Dreams tour saw the addition of David Rosenthal, formerly of Rainbow, on keyboards. That doesnt alleviate the fact that we all need to be extremely vigilant. Paul wants to sing Birthday for Ringo and he wants it to be a surprise. I said, OK, who is in the band? He goes, You, me, Paul, Rick Derringer, Edgar Winter, and Gregg Bissonette. We want to hear it. On February 27, 2010, Joel's bassist from his "River of Dreams" tour, Tom Wolk, died from a heart attack at the age of 58. The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time I called my saxophone-keyboard-guitar tech because I didnt have a single horn. Richie Cannata made a slight slip in his acceptance speech for his induction into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame Friday morning. Are you confident that youll be back onstage with Billy in 2021? Hed spent the past eight years juggling his duties in Billy Joels band with his role as Ringo Starrs musical director and multi-instrumentalist, but the Piano Man booked a last-minute U.K. tour the same week he was supposed to tour South America with Ringo. We all got to hang out and John decided he wanted to do this tribute to Sir Lew Grade. Its something that is embedded in everyones DNA. Wed be sitting there, looking at them and just flipping out. We did another song and Felix didnt know a particular chord. But when I heard of what he did to people he had worked with since they were teenagers, people who were left out in the cold, I just thought it was heartless.". Richie Cannata (b. Saxophonist Mark Rivera looks back on his nearly 40-year tenure with Billy Joel, plus his time with Ringo Starr, Foreigner, and others. I bet you were surprised to see it become this massive hit. It was a six-piece band. Your first Billy record was An Innocent Man. I think hes being a little hard on it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOkWmQI4HCU&feature=youtu.be. It was very chill and they were an absolute joy. Thats how much it means to everyone. We spoke to him about his long journey through the music industry. And the hits it was an unbelievable parade of hits. We all need to forget about life for a while. The band was looking for a sax player. Richie and other members of the then Billy Joel band have helped me do charity events for kids in the Bronx and in poor communities in Long Island. Up and down on each side, there must have been ten pairs of boots that matched each leather jacket. The two front panels would open up and flare out. And be grateful. On that historic occasion "The Billy Joel Band" performed with "Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band", - IMDb Mini Biography By: I said, Thats a D minor.. He also added the percussionist and multi-instrumentalist Crystal Taliefero who would become a permanent fixture in his band while Stegmeyer was replaced by Schuyler Deale and Javors was replaced by Joey Hunting on the album and Tommy Byrnes for its accompanying tour. Baby Grand is also on that and A Matter of Trust. But I know its hard for Billy to step away from himself as a writer. I wanted to play like [saxophonist] Chris Wood and sing and play keyboards like Stevie Winwood. Hey, frankly, I would have worn an ass on my face if it meant playing on TV with John Lennon. From 1991 until 1998, Cannata toured with The Beach Boys, playing saxophone, woodwinds and synthesizers. Artists including Celine Dion, Billy Joel, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony have recorded in Cannata's studio. I dont even remember if I got in a cab or took a train. We have a son who was a year and a half old. As a member of "The Billy Joel Band" from 1975-81, he contributed immensely to such landmark albums as "The Stranger", "52nd Street" and "Glass Houses". When Richie recorded and performed that solo in 1976 on The "Turnstiles" record . He was supposed to have all these ideas and charts and know what vocals are going where. If you dont overthink stuff, you are always better off. In an online interview, DeVitto describes how Joel's classic late 1970s-early 1980s band first came together: Billy and I used to play the same club in Plainview, Long Island, called My House. I get there and Im one of two white guys. George was like, Just give him a shot.. Under Review. The first day, I wanted to go over A Whiter Shade of Pale. Its a beautiful song and I know it would be one of the last ones since I always write the set list. Additionally, he became a music producer, producing albums for Phoebe Snow, Rita Coolidge, Corey Hart, and Tommy Shaw. I believe that Governor Cuomo has done an amazing job. Through the glasses, you could see Strawberry Fields. But it was in a hope chest for about a year. The George Harrison of the Yankees would have to be Ron Guidry. She played it all the time with him. Billys music will be the thing that will heal millions of people. Tell me about working with Sam and Dave. All three horns are on that song. Its still crazy to think about. Im a firm believer in that. Do you get royalties for that song? What do I do? Anyway, I come along, play the part, I sang all the background parts. Be well. I thought that was the end of the conversation. Im very much looking forward to our first show back. Besides the fact that it said Billy Joel, I was one of the guys. Everyone will say the same thing. Everyone goes, You must love New York State of Mind. At rehearsals or onstage, Paul was always happy-go-lucky and really chill. Oh, absolutely. Find by Genre >> Jazz >> Richie Cannata. Id never put words in his mouth, but I think at the time he knew he had more in him. He was the man. Doug was the musical director. Dave was just very upset with how things were turning out. It was Peter Frampton, Jack Bruce, Gary Brooker, Simon Kirke, myself, and Ringo. He is also ranked in the richest person list from United States. Theyve both said that this was a difficult period where they werent always seeing eye to eye. He does Bruce, Madonna Just an amazing amount of stuff, not unlike our [production manager] Boomer Thrasher. In 2006, Cannata briefly toured again with Joel, and was part of his record-setting 12-show run at Madison Square Garden. In 2014, Cannata, DeVitto, and Javors reunited and performed a short set of Joel's songs at the ceremony during which they were inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, (with Stegmeyer, posthumously), primarily for their work with Joel. My wife and I had the virus in March, so Ive been through it. Ill take that to the grave. You can be a great player and be a dick.