“Well, we’re living here in Allentown

And they’re closing all the factories down

Out in Bethlehem, they’re killing time

Filling out forms, standing in line.”

- Billy Joel,

- “Allentown”

“The Nylon Curtain” (1982)

The Allentown Symphony Orchestra Pops presents “An Innocent Man - The Music of Billy Joel,” 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19, Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown.

“I am quite excited about this concert not only for the music, but we welcome back John Devlin as conductor for this performance,” says Diane Wittry, Allentown Symphony Orchestra Music Director and Conductor.

“John was a Conducting Fellow during our 2014-2015 season and is now the Music Director of the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra [Wheeling, W. Va.]. He’s a wonderful conductor.”

The other connection, of course, is Billy Joel’s popular song, “Allentown” from his 1982 album “The Nylon Curtain.”

Billy Joel famously performed a concert, Nov. 23, 1973, at The Roxy theater, Northampton. He subsequently played numerous concerts in the Lehigh Valley. He has said “Allentown” was a tribute to his fans.

William “Billy” Martin Joel was born in 1949 in the Bronx, N.Y. The family moved to the Levittown section of Hicksville, N.Y., on Long Island where he spent his childhood and early adult years learning the piano and setting the stage for hit songs, albums, Grammy Awards and more.

The genesis of the song “Allentown” was Joel’s learning about the struggles of the steel industry in Bethlehem and plight of the workers. He reworked a piece he’d written in Levittown and although depicting the situation in Bethlehem preferred the “rhyming potential of Allentown.”

During a 1983 interview with Billboard Magazine, Joel commented, “It’s still a hopeful song. What I’m saying is that it’s getting hard to stay here, but we’re Americans and we’re going to stick it out. We have hope, but we don’t have that limitless boundless future outlook that our parents had after the war [World War II].”

Joel was made an honorary citizen of Allentown on Dec. 27, 1982, prior to a concert in Stabler Arena, Bethlehem, when he was given the Key to the City of Allentown by then Allentown Mayor Joe Daddona. Ironically, Joel has never performed “Allentown” in Allentown.

The Allentown Pops concert first half includes “Allentown” and such popular selections as “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song),” “She’s Always a Woman” and “An Innocent Man,” the latter from his 1977 album “The Stranger.

The groove continues after intermission with songs such as “My Life” and “Big Shot,” each from Joel’s album “52nd Street” (1978); “The Ballad of Billy the Kid,” from “Piano Man“ (1973); “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” from “Storm Front” (1989), and the touching “Lullaby (Goodnight, My Angel)” from “River of Dreams” (1993) composed for Joel’s then seven-year old daughter, Alexa Ray.

“Billy’s music appeals to me on several different levels,” says lead vocalist Jean Meilleur of Jeans ‘n Classics of Canada, the rock band that will accompany the Allentown Symphony Pops for the concert.

“Melody is number one. His love of melody is evident in his vocal lines, piano passages and ultimately in his songs as a whole,” Meilleur continues.

“Billy, I believe, was influenced and inspired melodically and harmonically by his knowledge of classical music and that sweet smack of rock ‘n roll.

“He manages to caress the listener, ever so sweetly and gently, and moments later he takes them to a trash-strewn street in a rainy New York City and makes them want to be there,” says Meilleur.

Born in Madison, Wisc., Meilleur moved to Detroit, Mich., at a young age where he gained a penchant for the sounds of Motown, Soul and R&B.

A prolific songwriter and performer for more than 30 years heard on national radio, television jingles and advertisements, Meilleur’s singing voice can best be described as passionate and provocative. He has been a headliner with Jeans ‘n Classics for more than 20 years and has performed with numerous major North American orchestras.

Pianist John Regan, although classically-trained, is conditioned by rock, pop and folk music. Prior to joining Jeans ‘n Classics, he worked with Second City in London, Ontario Canada and did solo work across southwestern Ontario. He cites Joe Jackson, Tom Waits, Elton John and Roy Bittan as influences.

Regan has shared the piano with such notables as Roger Hodgson (Supertramp), Lawrence Gowan (Styx) as well as good friend Don Paulton (Lighthouse) and has performed with more than 50 orchestras across North America. In addition to piano, Regan often plays host and emcees concerts, offering insight and whimsy to the musical selections. He is also a high school teacher and football coach.

Meilleur and Regan are joined on-stage by Jeans ‘n Classics backing and featured vocals Katalin Kiss, Kathryn Rose, electric bassist Mitch Tyler and drummer Jeff Christmas.

Conductor John Gennaro Devlin is an ardent champion of American music, an innovator of concert design and a thought leader in the field of classical music. Devlin, in his sixth season as Music Director of the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra (W. Va.), is the ninth conductor in its 90-year history.

In 2023, Devlin received the Georg Solti Foundation Career Assistance Award and was honored by Wheeling, W. Va., Mayor Glenn F. Elliott with the Mayor’s Award for “distinguished service, loyalty and dedication to our city.”

Devlin has been a guest conductor with numerous major orchestras in the U.S., including the National Symphony Orchestra, Louisville Orchestra, Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Princeton Symphony, Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra, Wintergreen Festival Orchestra and the American Repertory Ballet.

“Billy Joel’s power, range, intonation and emotion are evident in all his work and his style is unmistakable,” says Meilleur.

“I always enjoyed his music, but in performing it I have developed a deep affinity for it.

“I am moved by some of his insights and emotions, and to hear his songs with an orchestra adds an incredible layer of beauty and power to their already substantial arrangements,” Meilleur says.

“An Innocent Man - The Music of Billy Joel,” Allentown Symphony Orchestra Pops, 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19, Miller Symphony Hall, 23 N. Sixth St., Allentown. Tickets: box office; 610-432-6715; https:///www.millersymphonyhall.org

“Classical View” is a column about classical music concerts, conductors and performers. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus Editor, pwillistein@tnon-line.com