Russell Javors, Billy Joel's Former Rhythm Guitarist! - Best Moments With The Band. Pt 2/2

Liberty DeVitto & Billy Joel

In Part One with Russell, we talked about the early days on Long Island when he met Liberty DeVitto playing at My House, in Plainview, New York. They formed a band, Topper, that included friends Doug Stegmeyer on bass and Howard Emerson on lead guitar. Another band that was popular at My House was The Hassles, featuring  Billy Joel. When Billy went to LA to record his first few albums, he had decided he wanted a band from New York, and asked  Doug Stegmeyer, who toured on his last album, Streetlife Serenade, to find him a band. So Stegmeyer called DeVitto, and soon after, called Javors, Emerson, and saxophonist Richie Cannata. They recorded Joel’s next album, Turnstiles. Javors, DeVitto, Stegmeyer, and Cannata stayed with Joel on The Stranger, 52nd Street, Glass Houses, and Songs in the Attic. Javors played rhythm guitar with Joel until 1989.

The Lords of 52nd Street

In Part Two, we talk to Russell about the highlights and funny moments when he was in the original Billy Joel Band  The band, consisting of Javors, Cannata, and DeVitto (with Stegmeyer, posthumously), were inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame. After the reunion, Javors, Cannata, and DeVitto officially formed The Lords of 52nd Street band. The group took the name from producer, Phil Ramone, who had named them that when he recorded with them. The trio set out to find other musicians, most notably singer and pianist, David Clark of the Joel tribute band, Songs in the Attic.