Billy Joel's Ex-Wife, Christie Brinkley, Was the Inspiration Behind His Iconic Hit 'Uptown Girl'
At a recent concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City on April 26, 2023, Billy Joel serenaded his ex-wife Christie Brinkley with the hit song 'Uptown Girl.' The pair were married from 1985 to 1994 and have a daughter named Alexa Ray Joel.
Joel wrote 'Uptown Girl' about Brinkley after they began dating in 1983. In an interview with Howard Stern, he explained that the song was initially titled 'Uptown Girls,' but it became about one person – Brinkley. The hit single reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and featured a blue-collar mechanic and sophisticated woman theme.
Brinkley attended Joel's concert with their daughter, Alexa Ray, who also performed for her father during the show. In a pink retro-inspired look, she sang 'To Sir With Love' for him while he sat at the piano. The moment was emotional and heartfelt as Joel introduced this song to his daughter when she was just a little girl.
Joel recently shared his MSG concert with the world through CBS's Billy Joel: The 110th – Live at Madison Square Garden, which aired earlier this month. The two-hour special celebrates Joel's 100th show at the famed venue and is available to stream on Paramount+.
Despite their divorce, Brinkley and Joel continue to have a strong bond. In an Instagram post, Brinkley shared footage of Alexa Ray singing 'Say Goodbye to Hollywood' and serenading her father with Lulu's 'To Sir with Love.' She captioned the post, 'Thanks for singing us a song @billyjoel and @alexarayjoel You’ve got us feeling alright! Just a few snippets from a magical evening at the garden!'
Joel's residency at Madison Square Garden is coming to an end this year, but the memories and moments shared with his loved ones will last forever.
