The Meldrum Tapes- Molly Meldrum Interviews Billy Joel- 1986

A segment from the Australian music interview TV series The Meldrum Tapes, of which 24 episodes aired on the ABC in 1986. The Meldrum Tapes featured full length interviews that Countdown Talent Co-Ordinator, Ian 'Molly' Meldrum, conducted over his many overseas trips during the Countdown years, which aired on the ABC from 1974-1987. Where Countdown would feature a small part of the interview (constrained due to time), The Meldrum Tapes aired the interviews in full. This clip features an interview of American singer Billy Joel, conducted by Countdown Talent Co-Ordinator Molly Meldrum. The interview begins with a discussion about his earliest musical performances in primary school, and when he joined his first band. Billy also talks about buying his first keyboard. Billy then discusses his first forays into rock music, starting with the band 'The Hassles', then splitting from them with drummer Jon Small to form the band 'Attila'. Billy then discusses his song-writing, and his efforts to get his songs published. He also explain the process he goes through to write a song. The interview proceeds with Molly telling Billy how much his personality has changed since they first met, from being introverted to being more outgoing, particularly in his stage performances. The interview concludes with Molly discussing with Billy about the birth of his daughter, Alexa.