Billy Joel started off his Tuesday night set at Long Island’s Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum with a fitting anthem – “Movin’ Out.”
The Long Island native who grew up in nearby Hicksville was tapped to perform the last show at the coliseum before it closes for a major renovation.
For about 17,000 fans, the show was a historic moment.
Sue Lowney, from Massapequa, said this was the sixth time she’s seen Joel.
“I grew up here,” Lowney said. “Him being from here, his concerts are just really electric.”
She said her memories of the coliseum stretch back to her childhood.
“I have amazing memories,” Lowney said. “I’m a huge Islanders fan. My dad used to work here, so I used to come to all the Islanders games when I was little.”
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Other Long Island natives echoed Lowney’s love for the arena.
“It’s called the ‘Old Barn’ to a lot of old folks,” Maureen Smith of Linbrook said. “I have a lot of great memories of [Billy Joel] here from New Year’s Eve shows to Christmas Shows.”
Joel, who’s played the coliseum more than 30 times, is said to have been planning the farewell concert for months.
He was introduced to the stage by his longtime friend Gov. Andrew Cuomo, whose goodbye to the stadium was met with some boos. Performer Paul Simon and actor Kevin James have also made special guest appearances.
The Nassau Coliseum facelift is slated to be wrapped up by 2016.
