Captain Jack (Live Radio Broadcast 1972)

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, the Zoo Crew’s spinning a far-out tune for you—Billy Joel’s “Captain Jack (Live Radio Broadcast 1972)” from the Piano Man (Legacy Edition). This track’s got some serious soul, and there’s cool trivia to share. Captured live at Sigma Sound Studios in Philly for a WMMR radio broadcast, this version shows Billy at his raw, hungry best, just a year before Piano Man hit the scene. “Captain Jack” tells the gritty story of a suburban kid chasing highs through a drug dealer, inspired by a real character Billy spotted near his Long Island apartment. In a 2016 SiriusXM interview, Billy said he wrote it watching this “pathetic figure” and the lost kids around him, blending dark humor with sharp commentary. Fans on X dig the live cut’s fire, with one calling it “Billy pouring his heart out, note by note.” Its slow-burn piano and epic build hooked listeners, and this very broadcast helped Billy score his Columbia Records deal. Now, imagine if our own KZEW, THE ZOO, had been around in ‘72—Billy would’ve totally swung by Dallas to jam with our hippie DJs, sharing that raw energy with Zoo Freaks in the Lone Star State. Those piano riffs would’ve lit up our airwaves like a Texas sunset!

Let’s rewind to how Billy Joel kicked things off, Zoo Freaks. Born in the Bronx in 1949, Billy grew up in Hicksville, Long Island, tickling the ivories by age four, thanks to his mom’s push for classical lessons. By his teens, he was all about rock ‘n’ roll, joining The Echoes at 14, sneaking into bars for gigs while juggling high school. He ditched school to go full-time music, playing with The Hassles, a local rock band, then forming Attila, a heavy metal duo that cut a wild album in 1970 that didn’t quite catch fire. His solo journey started with Cold Spring Harbor in 1971, but a rough record deal and personal lows sent him to L.A., where he played piano bars as Bill Martin. That’s where “Piano Man” was born. The 1972 WMMR performance, with “Captain Jack,” blew Columbia’s mind, and by 1973, Piano Man made him a star. If KZEW had been rocking Dallas back then, you know Billy would’ve stopped by, maybe even written a tune about our free-spirited Zoo Freaks, grooving to his storytelling vibes.

Wanna keep the Billy Joel love flowing? Visit his official website for tour updates and sweet merch. He’s spreading good vibes on Facebook, sharing live clips and old-school photos. On Instagram, you’ll find tour shots and studio moments. His X account’s buzzing with news and fan banter. For you dedicated Zoo Freaks, check out Billy Joel Fan, a fan-run site loaded with news and forums. The Billy Joel Fans Facebook group is a mellow spot where fans trade concert tales, share rare videos, and celebrate his music. So, keep those dials tuned to THE ZOO, and let’s keep jamming with Billy Joel—he’d have been right at home with our KZEW crew back in the day!