Call For Papers

The Billy Joel Symposium

A Two-Day Academic Conference
Presented by the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame Stony Brook, NY
June 6-7th, 2026

Overview

The Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHoF) invites proposals for individual papers for The Billy Joel Symposium, a two-day conference devoted to the music, lyrics, themes, and cultural impact of Billy Joel. As one of America’s most influential songwriters and performers — and Long Island’s own — Joel’s body of work offers a unique lens through which to explore popular music, regional identity, and American culture. This symposium will gather scholars, critics, musicians, and students to engage in critical analysis of Joel’s artistry, life, and legacy.

Suggested Topics

We welcome submissions on topics including (but not limited to):

● Lyrics & Narratives: storytelling, character studies, social commentary
● Music & Style: harmonic language, piano-centered composition, genre fusion (rock, pop, jazz, classical)
● Place & Identity: suburban Long Island and New York as cultural landscapes
● History & Memory: nostalgia, generational commentary (Allentown, We Didn’t Start the Fire)
● Performance & Persona: Joel’s stage presence, Madison Square Garden residency, audience relationships
● Comparative Perspectives: Joel alongside Elton John, Dylan, Springsteen, McCartney
● Reception & Criticism: popular acclaim vs. scholarly neglect, canonization in American song
● Cultural Impact: Joel in film, television, and cultural memory
● Biographical & Historical Contexts: intersections of Joel’s personal story with larger cultural and political shifts

Submission Guidelines

● Abstract: 250–300 words
● Short Bio: 100 words (include name, affiliation, contact information)
● Format: Single PDF or Word document with abstract and bio together
● Final Presentations: 20 minutes + 10 minutes Q&A
● Abstract and Bio Deadline: January 15, 2026 (11:59 PM ET)
● Notification of acceptance: February 12, 2026
● Program posted: March 2, 2026
● Final papers for proceedings: April 1, 2026

Review Process

All proposals will be reviewed by the Symposium Committee. Accepted papers may be grouped by theme into 90-minute panels. Presenters will be notified of their panel assignment when acceptances are sent.

Publication

Selected papers may be considered for inclusion in an edited collection or digital proceedings published by the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame.

Contact

Abstracts and bios should be sent to: Tom Needham, Executive Director, Billy Joel Symposium info@limusichalloffame.org

Musicians, critics, authors, music industry professionals, and archivists are also invited to submit a brief bio with a proposal by the January 15 deadline. Send all bios and proposals to: Tom Needham, Executive Director, Billy Joel Symposium info@limusichalloffame.org