Billy Joel Ties the Knot with Alexis Roderick in Surprise July 4th Wedding

The Piano Man is now a Married Man! USA Today reports that legendary singer Billy Joel wed fiancée Alexis Roderick in a surprise ceremony held on Saturday. Joel's rep confirmed that guests were invited to what they were told would be the couple's annual Fourth of July soiree, but instead, turned out to be a surprise wedding!

Among family and friends in attendance were Joel's daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, and actor Kevin James. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo presided over the surprise nupitals which took place on Joel's Long Island estate. The newlyweds are expecting their first child later this summer.

Congratulations to the happy couple!

Having sold 150 million records over the past quarter century, Billy Joel ranks as one of most popular recording artists and respected entertainers in history. The singer/songwriter/composer is the sixth best-selling recording artist of all time, the third best-selling solo artist and one of the highest grossing touring artists in the world. In November 2014, Billy Joel received both The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, which honors living musical artists' lifetime achievement in promoting the genre of song as a vehicle of cultural understanding; entertaining and informing audiences and inspiring new generations, and the once-in-a-century ASCAP Centennial Award, which is presented to American music icons in recognition of their incomparable accomplishments in their respective music genres and beyond.

In December 2013, Joel received The KennedyCenter Honors, one of the United States' top cultural awards. He is also the recipient of six GRAMMY® Awards, including the prestigious Grammy Legend Award. Joel has been inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has received numerous industry awards. "Movin' Out," a Broadway musical based on Joel's music, choreographed and directed by Twyla Tharp, took home two Tony Awards, including Best Orchestrations - Joel's first Tony Award win - and Best Choreography.

For his accomplishments as a musician and as a humanitarian, Joel was honored as the 2002 MusiCares Person of The Year by the MusiCaresFoundation and the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. Joel has also performed alongside other music greats at two of Madison Square Garden's most extraordinary benefit concerts - "12-12-12, The Concert For Sandy Relief," which raised awareness and money for those affected by Hurricane Sandy and "The Concert for New York City," which was held to help aid 9/11 victims and heroes. Billy Joel received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, adding another milestone to his extraordinary career.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos

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