Billy Joel celebrates 100 lifetime performances at Madison Square Garden (7 images)

Billy Joel sits at a piano that will be a permanent fixture at Madison Square Garden. The permanent display will serve as a tribute to Joel's legacy. Joel's 100th lifetime performance comes 40 years after his first MSG performance, on December 14, 1978, and just four and a half years after he began his legendary residency.

Billy Joel reacts at the press conference. Joel currently holds both of MSG's performance-related records for most consecutive performances by any artist currently at 53 shows and for most lifetime performances by any artist currently at 99 shows.

From left to right, Chazz Palminteri, The Madison Square Company executive chairman and CEO James L. Dolan, Alexis Joel, Billy Joel, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Jim Kerr stand in front of Joel's 100 Shows banner after a press conference.

Joel sits next to executive chairman and CEO Dolan.