Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot, the well-known Billy Joel tribute act fronted by current Joel bandmate Mike DelGuidice, welcomed a very special guest at their Huntington, Long Island show last night–The Entertainer himself. Joel came out for three songs in the middle of the set, including two covers (a Joe Cocker-style “With A Little Help From My Friends”, and the Rolling Stones‘ “Honky Tonk Woman”) and original “You May Be Right”.
You can check out audience video from the surprise appearance below via YouTube user BillyJoelVideos:
Mike Delguidice has been playing Billy Joel’s music since he was 15 years old. In 2000, he formed Big Shot, a Billy Joel tribute act in Port Jefferson, New York, and has gone on to become the most successful Joel tribute act on the circuit. His skilled piano playing and uncanny vocal imitations of the Piano Man have amazed audiences for years–so much so that, in 2013, Joel brought him on as an official member of his live band, handling acoustic guitar and backing vocal duties. At one of Joel’s standing gigs at New York City’s Madison Square Garden in April, Joel joked that DelGuidice’s impression of him is so good, if you played a recording of himself followed by one of DelGuidice, even he wouldn’t be able to tell you which one was which.