Town renames street to honor music icon Billy Joel

Officials of the Town of Oyster Bay and the Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District joined local residents to honor legendary singer-songwriter Billy Joel last week.

Joel was presented with a key to the town and the street in front of his motorcycle shop, 20th Century Cycles, was renamed Billy Joel Way.

Students from the 6th Grade Advanced Band at the James Vernon School performed some of Joel’s music at the event.

The Joel Foundation has made and pledged over $7 million in charitable donations with a focus on music education and humanitarian aid, according to a town statement. The foundation recently donated funds for a memorial in honor of baymen that work Oyster Bay Harbor. The foundation also announced the continuation of its long-term investment in Long Island High School for the Arts, Long Island’s only public arts high school.

“This street, in the town where he has lived for many years, will forever serve as a reminder of Billy’s seemingly endless contributions to our community,” Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino said in the statement. “When people pass by this section of Audrey Avenue, from 20th Century Cycles down to Railroad Avenue, they will always know that a music legend grew up and lived in this town, walked these very streets and made his mark upon our world.”