NFT: More Famous/Popular - Bruce or Billy Joel

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Joel's more famous nationally and abroad. I think Bruce wins by a landslide in Asbury Park, though...

In comment 13044448 FatMan in Charlotte said:

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Joel's more famous nationally and abroad. I think Bruce wins by a landslide in Asbury Park, though...

This is perfect lol..

Both are touring and both are selling out stadiums. Internationally, Bruce is much more popular than Billy- the crowds he continues to attract in Europe is amazing. Nationally, maybe Billy because he appeals to a wider audience.

Billy has 102 million albums sold (certified) and 150 claimed.

Bruce has 100 million (certified) and 120 claimed.

AC/DC wins. 112.4 million (certified), 200 claimed.

has sold more albums, but not by much. Billy Joel's greatest hits album went 23x Platinum (third best ever).

Bruce has far more Grammy Awards as well as an Oscar.

Both are in songwriters and RnR HOF.

Bruce has a more obsessive following.

Both are awesome.

short internationally. He is beloved in Russia and eastern Europe. He also has a huge following in Asia.

who's more talented...

Where I don't think Bruce ever has. Not that it really matters but that could indicate that at least at one point in time he was more "popular".

inducted in the same year. Both have been given Kennedy Center Honors (Bruce was first).

Joel has sold 81.5 million albums and has had 23 grammy nominations.

Bruce has sold 64.5 million albums and has had 20 Grammy wins out of 49 nomination. Bruce also has an Oscar and two Golden Globes.

Bruce is 3rd overall in #1 albums behind the Beatles and Jay-Z. He is also 4th overall in #1 albums in the UK. Wikipedia doesn't have Joel's info but he's clearly behind in both.

Joel definitely has more hits, but I think Bruce is the bigger name worldwide.

was bigger than Bruce by a country mile, but Bruce has stayed steadier and more relevant.

Hands down

.........

Billy Joel is more pop and Bruce is more rock.

So Billy Joel would have a wider audience to appeal to.

For example my mother like Billy Joel.

she never listened to Bruce Springsteen, he just wasn't played o her easy listening stations.

I will say this though Billy Joel played in Hawaii at my company "President's Club" event for a couple thousand people (maybe less). And it was incredible to see him in such a unique setting.

I can't see Bruce doing that, since I assumed it was purely financial why Joel did it), financially I think Bruce has done much better. Just my opinion on that though.

To me I would say Bruce but I will have to go through and look at that.

at a private birthday party for someone I used to work with - for free as a favor.

I think both guys are fine with doing intimate settings on occasion.

Especially b/c of international appeal.

Billy Joel has the more recognizable individual songs, but Bruce has a higher pedigree.

I'd give the slightest of slight edges to Bruce.

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but IMHO Billy Joel was far more entertaining.

Neither makes my top ten list of pop/rock acts from the seventies.

pink floyd
Eric Clapton
Allman Bros
Jimi..(he died in 1970)
Dead
Jefferson Airplane/Hot Tuna
Stones
Led Zepp (meh)
oops...back to work

He was on that motorcycle building show where the father and son yelled at each other.

In comment 13044524 bhill410 said:

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To me I would say Bruce but I will have to go through and look at that.

way more.

42 Bill Board Top 100 for Billy Joel, 3 #1s
(http://www.billboard.com/artist/284376/billy-joel/chart?f=379)

26 for Bruce, never a #1
(http://www.billboard.com/artist/298448/bruce-springsteen/chart)

In comment 13044524 bhill410 said:

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To me I would say Bruce but I will have to go through and look at that.

According to Wiki, Joel has had 32 top 40 singles and 3 at #1 overall.

Bruce has had 18 top 40 singles and the highest he ever got was the #2 spot.

Bruce does more album rock and Joel does a lot more singles...

For whatever that's worth.

!

In comment 13044448 FatMan in Charlotte said:

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Joel's more famous nationally and abroad. I think Bruce wins by a landslide in Asbury Park, though...

I disagree. Bruce sells out stadiums worldwide, Joel has to play MSG once a month to get sellouts, and has to perform with Elton John to sell out stadiums.

It's Bruce, and it's not close.

In terms of fame, it would seemingly be difficult to find someone who's heard of one but not the other (excluding young people). Springsteen has the reputation for the epic stadium shows, but Billy just recently played baseball stadiums in Seattle, San Diego, Pittsburgh, Philly, etc. If I had to guess I'd go with Billy. I bet I can find more people that have heard of/can sing every word to Piano Man vs. Bruce's most popular songs (Born to Run? Born in the USA?). That's not a knock on Bruce. He's simply more rock than pop. Bottom line: both are awesome.

:-)
Joe Piscopo/Bruce Springsteen - ( New Window )

...as though there is any similarity between them, aside from being white and banging supermodels.

What about Sinatra? Was he more popular?

They aren't in the same category.

In comment 13044559 robbieballs2003 said:

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!

BOATS & HO'S!!!

In comment 13044492 steve in ky said:

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Where I don't think Bruce ever has. Not that it really matters but that could indicate that at least at one point in time he was more "popular".

Bruce is different in that he does not look for commercial success. He certainly is capable of writing top 20 hits, but it is not his goal. Look at the hits he gave away! Billy is a bit more commercial in my opinion but please do not take that as underestimating his talent.

From 2014 to 2016, Joel sold out 74 consecutive shows and that included a lot of venues on the West Coast, Wembley Stadium and Frankfurt. It isn't like he only sells out at MSG.

has a net worth of 300M


Billy has a net worth of 180M


Bruce has been more frugal? - not saying it makes him more famous or popular

(this is through 2014, at which time Bruce had another tour to probably add another $10M or so).


per therichest.com

In comment 13044540 FranknWeezer said:

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Especially b/c of international appeal.

Check out Bruce's concerts in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in 2014 and his European gigs over the last three months. All or parts are on youtube. Bruce is extremely popular internationally. Not sure Billy has played internationally in recent years.

but Bruce has simply kept going and still puts out good records. Joel hasn't released anything in years. Bruce is more prolific for sure. But Billy Joel wrote a lot bigger hits.

In comment 13044594 FatMan in Charlotte said:

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From 2014 to 2016, Joel sold out 74 consecutive shows and that included a lot of venues on the West Coast, Wembley Stadium and Frankfurt. It isn't like he only sells out at MSG.

And he's been doing a ballpark tour this summer as well that has consistently sold out.

In comment 13044597 pjcas18 said:

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has a net worth of 300M Billy has a net worth of 180M Bruce has been more frugal? - not saying it makes him more famous or popular (this is through 2014, at which time Bruce had another tour to probably add another $10M or so). per therichest.com

Billy's been divorced more

In comment 13044586 x meadowlander said:

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...as though there is any similarity between them, aside from being white and banging supermodels. What about Sinatra? Was he more popular? They aren't in the same category.

They are both from the same region of the country and with careers that began in a similar time period of the early 70's. I can see why people from the NY metropolitan area would sometimes link them.

I don't think they are so much elsewhere in the country.

Sorry, that loses him the argument.

since 1993 and the "River of Dreams" album.

In comment 13044597 pjcas18 said:

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has a net worth of 300M Billy has a net worth of 180M Bruce has been more frugal? - not saying it makes him more famous or popular (this is through 2014, at which time Bruce had another tour to probably add another $10M or so). per therichest.com

Billy was bankrupted at least once, his ex-wife and brother in law were managing him/robbing him blind in the late 70s early 80s, cost him lots of $$.

more than Bruce paid Julianne... just a hunch

In comment 13044597 pjcas18 said:

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has a net worth of 300M Billy has a net worth of 180M Bruce has been more frugal? - not saying it makes him more famous or popular (this is through 2014, at which time Bruce had another tour to probably add another $10M or so). per therichest.com

Even if we are to even believe net worth figures published from online sources which likley aren't truly accurate possibly it is nothing more than more money lost in divorces or different spending/investing habits.

In comment 13044603 YAJ2112 said:

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In comment 13044597 pjcas18 said: Quote: has a net worth of 300M Billy has a net worth of 180M Bruce has been more frugal? - not saying it makes him more famous or popular (this is through 2014, at which time Bruce had another tour to probably add another $10M or so). per therichest.com Billy's been divorced more

And didn't Brinkley basically steal everything right from out under him???

Net worth of $350 million, twenty Grammy Awards, four American Music Awards, two Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award. In 1999, Bruce Springsteen was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 120 million record sales.


Billy Joel: . He has received 23 Grammy nominations {not awards), is a member of the Songwriter Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as well. 100 million record sales, so it's close.

Interestingly, they were born 4 months apart.

I give it to Bruce, by a fair amount. Joel probably could have done even more than his illustrious career if he stayed sober, longer.

like the propaganda says? :-)

Although he looks like he does

admits that he's been too trusting with people and his money and that he's been taken to the cleaners a few times.

and if he hasnt why not?