Piano Man Billy Joel to play here

PIANO Man Billy Joel is coming to Australia for his first tour in eight years.

The singer, songwriter and pianist extraordinaire last played in Australia with Elton John in 1998, but the show at Rod Laver Arena on November 10 will be his first solo Melbourne show since 1994.

Although Joel retired from writing pop music after that tour, the past year has been something of a renaissance for the 57-year-old.

A report yesterday said Joel had sold more tickets in the US in the year ending June 30 than any other artist -- including Madonna, U2 and the Rolling Stones. While Joel sold more than twice as many tickets as top-earner Madonna, she and the Stones earned more because of much higher ticket prices.

Tickets to Joel's Melbourne shows will cost $128 to $189. Joel's tour will be his first since a stint last year at the US Betty Ford Centre to treat alcohol abuse.