Before Billy Joel was playing to sold-out crowds at Shea Stadium and Madison Square Garden, the Long Island-raised musician rocked the annual fall mixer at his alma mater, Hicksville High School.
In this photo obtained from the Hicksville Public Library, Joel can be seen playing with his band at the time, The Commandos,” at the 1966 “SJS mixer” at the high school. The photo was featured in the Class of 1967 yearbook along with a description of the dance.
“Gym-packing crowds dancing to The Commandos made the Mixer one of the most successful in HHS history,” read the 1967 edition of “The Comet.”
Joel did have positive things to say about the music education he received while attending Hicksville High School: