Billy Joel will open the renovated Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum next spring, giving the “Piano Man” yet another high-profile gig at the arena where he holds the record for the most consecutive sold-out shows.
Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano made Joel’s opener official in a statement Tuesday, declaring, “There’s no better performer suited to reopen the transformed” Coliseum.
It was Joel, of course, who closed the original Coliseum in August 2015 before it was shuttered ahead of an ongoing $261-million renovation.
The lifelong Long Island entertainer performed 32 shows at the 43-year-old Uniondale arena, and, in 1998, set the record for most consecutive sold-out shows in one year with nine.
His much-anticipated performance inside the new building is slated for April 5, 2017, officials said.
Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. this Friday, officials said. American Express members get an exclusive opportunity to claim seats for the gig on Thursday, between 10 a.m. through 10 p.m.
When Joel bid farewell to the Coliseum more than a year ago, he played before several dignitaries, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
“April 5 is a celebration for Long Island, and it’s spectacular venue, which will revive the area as a vibrant entertainment market,” Yormark said in a statement.
Unlike the original Coliseum, which opened in 1972, the renovated version will not have a professional sports team as an anchor. The New York Islanders have since moved to Brooklyn’s Barclays Center after several failed attempts by the organization to build a new arena and transform the surrounding area.
Once re-opened, the revived Coliseum will boast 13,000 seats for preseason Islanders games, 13,500 for an NBA development league associated with the Brooklyn Nets, and 14,500 for concerts.
