The Office helps convince Billy Joel to do Rock Band

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

Oct 22, 2010

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