Billy Joel has never allowed original recordings of his music to be used in videogames before, but after a jab from a critic regarding an episode of The Office, he changed his mind.
"I've never allowed my music to be used in a game before," said Joel in an interview withUSA Today.Didn't we just say that? Sheesh.
Joel changed his mind when he happened to see a review in Entertainment Weekly about an episode of The Office. In the episode, middle management icon Michael Scott pines about a Billy Joel Rock Band game.
In the episode's review, the critic wrote "something like, 'God forbid that ever should happen,'" said Joel. "So I called my people and said, 'Get me [in] that Rock Band game.' Then I wrote the critic, saying that every time I get a check, I'll give him a little nod."
Joel's music has appeared in music games before, but always with a cover artist performing it. His presence in upcoming Rock Band3DLC will be the first time original, master recordings have been authorized for use in a game.
A Billy Joel pack will be released for download in December. The following songs have been licensed for the game:
Big Shot
Captain Jack
It's Still Rock N Roll to Me
Movin' Out
Only the Good Die Young
Piano Man
Pressure
Say Goodbye to Hollywood
The Entertainer
The Stranger
Sign up to the 12DOVE Newsletter
Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more
Oct 22, 2010
Entire Rock Band 3 set list "leaked" intentionally by the developer
All 83 songs in the on-disc mix clearly displayed for all to see. Bravo, gentlemen
Rock Band 3 hands-on: shredding with the 102 button guitar controller
Plus all the details you need to know about Harmonix's magnum opus
Why Rock Band 3’s lead designer left - and you shouldn’t care
At least, not until Rock Band 4 rolls around