Guitarist David Brown, who played and recorded with Billy Joel from 1978 to the early 1990s, has died. Little information regarding the details of Brown’s passing has been reported, but his death was acknowledged by a few musicians with whom he collaborated, including Joel, as well as Billy’s former drummer Liberty DeVitto and longtime sax player Mark Rivera.
Joel posted a tribute to Brown on his social media pages on Tuesday, August 13, along with a couple of photos of the musician.
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“I am so sorry to hear that David Brown has passed away,” the Piano Man wrote. “He had such a young heart and such extraordinary musical talent. I send my deepest respects to his family.”
DeVitto posted his own brief note about Brown on his Facebook page on Monday, August 12, writing, “I am heart broken to hear my old band mate David Brown passed away.”
Rivera, meanwhile, who’s been playing with Joel since 1982, posted a tribute on his socials in which he also explained that Brown helped facilitate him getting the gig with Billy’s band.
“I can’t say enough about the Beauty and Grace that David brought to Everything musical endeavor that we shared,” Rivera wrote. “His Sound and Feel were like no other. I Will Miss You My Friend…”
About Brown’s Work with Joel
Brown was the last member of Joel’s classic backing band to join the group. The other four—DeVitto, horn player Richie Cannata, rhythm guitarist Russell Javors, and bassist Doug Stegmeyer—began playing with Joel in 1976, and all contributed to Billy’s then-latest album Turnstiles. Brown’s first appearance on a Joel album came in 1978 on 52nd Street, playing electric guitar on “My Life.”
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Brown became Joel’s lead guitarist, and went on to make major contributions to all of the Piano Man’s albums through Storm Front in 1989.
Brown’s Other Work
Brown famously played with Simon & Garfunkel’s at the duo’s historic free reunion concert in Central Park in September 1981.
Brown also lent his talents to recordings by Graham Parker, Julian Lennon, Karen Carpenter, and Peter, Paul & Mary.
In recent years, he played shows at small venues in and around his hometown of Gloucester, Massachusetts.
Recent Guest Appearance with Joel
Brown made a guest appearance at Joel’s Madison Square Garden residency show on October 9, 2022. He joined Billy for a version of Joel’s 1986 hit “This Is the Time.”
As seen in fan-shot video, while introducing Brown, Joel notes that David is featured prominently in his Live at Yankee Stadium concert film. Billy then tells the audience that Brown “plays the s— out of this song.”
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