Joel based the Echoes, a gaggle that specialised in British Invasion covers. When the Echoes grew to become well-liked in New York, Joel left highschool to change into an expert musician. The Echoes started recording in 1965; Joel was initially employed by Snuff Garret as a pianist for Bobby Vee, nevertheless he was fired earlier than doing any information or exhibits as a result of he refused to put on the matching jackets the band was to put on.

Joel (then 16) additionally performed piano on a number of information launched by way of Kama Sutra Productions and on recordings produced by Shadow Morton. Joel performed on a demo model of Chief of the Pack, which might change into a serious hit for the Shangri-Las.

In late 1965, the Echoes modified their identify to the Emeralds after which to the Misplaced Souls. Joel left the band in 1967 to hitch the Hassles, a Lengthy Island group that had signed with United Artists Information.[19] Over the following yr and a half they launched 4 singles and two albums (The Hassles and Hour of the Wolf). All had been business failures. Joel and drummer Jon Small left the Hassles in 1969 to type the duo Attila, releasing an eponymous debut album in July 1970. The duo disbanded the next October when Joel started an affair with Small’s spouse, Elizabeth, whom Joel finally married.

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