Billy Joel Performs at Shea Stadium
PRG offers expertise and equipment support that is in a league of its own.
The Challenge: Provide a massive system for a historic send-off of a beloved stadium.
The Solution: Billy Joel was invited by the New York Mets to perform the farewell concert at Shea Stadium as New York said goodbye to the beloved ballpark. Joel’s “Last Play at Shea” would also end an era of musical history at the stadium. The stadium had played host to some of the biggest names in music history such as Joplin, Hendrix, Springsteen, Clapton and Elton John as well as The Rolling Stones, The Who and The Police since the groundbreaking August 15th 1965 concert of The Beatles.
The lighting needs for the concert were massive with over 400 automated lights as well as multi-lamp floods, followspots, dimmers, and five PRG Series 400™ Power and Data Distribution racks. PRG was a primary supplier to Steve Cohen Productions.
Steve Cohen, who designed the lighting, scenic and video elements as well as being Creative Director for Joel, wanted to reflect Joel’s connection to NY and honor Shea’s place in the city. “This needed a specific look for a show that was befitting the monumental occasion.”
PRG provided equipment and crew. Cohen credits the success as a true team effort, “If you were to tell me this was all going to come off as well as it did I would have thought you were crazy but in fact, it came off flawlessly.”