Throwback Thursday: Billy Joel, “Piano Man”

Throwback Thursday: Billy Joel, “Piano Man”

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On this day in 1974, Billy Joel earned his first Billboard Top 40 Hit with his now iconic bar ballad, “Piano Man.” The song was only moderately successful during the time of its debut, peaking at #25 on the US charts. However, it wasn’t until after the release of Joel’s 1977 album, “The Stranger,” which launched him into superstardom, that “Piano Man” gained notoriety, becoming his most well-known lyric. The song, written by Joel, is a re-telling of his own experience working as a piano-lounge singer in Los Angeles between 1972 and 1973 while negotiating a split from his first recording label, Family Productions. The large cast of characters that appear in the song are all based on real people who would frequent the bar: “The Waitress” who’s “practicing politics” actually refers to Joel’s first wife, Elizabeth Weber, who worked as a waitress in the bar on the nights Joel sang. In 2016, “Piano Man” was one of twenty-five recordings selected to be preserved by the Library of Congress National Recording Registry, citing its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance. Drink up!

New on Netflix in April

New on Netflix in April

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A new month brings a slew of new shows to Netflix. From stand-up comedy, to science, and a revival of a cult classic, April is shaping up to be a disastrous month for productivity. Here’s what the Blackfire Research Team is excited to binge-watch in April.

The sharp wit, self-deprecating, morality skewering comedian, Louis CK, is back on Netflix for a new Stand Up Comedy Special. “Louis CK: 2017,” which begins streaming today (April 4), is on track to be just as clever and entertaining as his earlier work. The “Louie” star has also signed on for a second Stand Up Special to be released sometime later this year.

Robot Roll Call! April 14 marks the triumphant return of cult classic TV show, “Mystery Science Theater 3000.” The relaunch marks the show’s eleventh season, which creator Joel Hodgson funded through a Kickstarter campaign, raising roughly $6 Million to produce 14 new episodes. New host Jonah – who’s been abducted by mad scientists (played by Patton Oswalt and Felicia Day) – joins robots Crow and Tom Servo as they watch and riff on B-list films as their only source of entertainment in Outer Space.

Bill! Bill! Bill! Every 90’s kid’s favorite scientist, Bill Nye, returns to television with an all new Netflix Original Series. “Bill Nye Saves The World,” which premieres on April 21, tackles a different scientific topic in each episode, ranging from Global Warming to GMOs. Accompanying Bill is a pack of celebrity scientists and science lovers, like supermodel Karlie Kloss and Food Network personality, Alton Brown. “Bill Nye Saves The World” looks equally entertaining and educational.
 

These are just some of the shows debuting on Netflix in April.

For a complete list of upcoming Netflix content for 2017, click here.