Drummer Liberty DeVitto has sued Billy Joel in a Manhattan court according to the New York Post. Â The drummer also named Sony Music, but a quick tour of entertainmnent lawyers posting online under their names suggest that Sony will quickly be dropped from the matter.
Meanwhile, the contentiousness between Joel’s drummer of 30 years and the artist’s fans is reaching a hyperbolic state. Â DeVitto says that he was fired from Joel’s band in 2005 without even a telephone call. Â Fans on both sides are defending DeVitto’s drumming or Joel’s music and seemingly drawing sides based on their affinity for either..
DeVitto was part of the band that played on what is essentially the soundtrack of a 10 year period from the mid 1970s to the mid 19880s.  You may also know DeVitto’s daughter, Torrey, who recently appeared in a 16 episode arc on One Tree Place.  [She also went to the same small elementary school I attended in a secluded part of Suffolk County, but maybe she attended a little later…]
Cases like this often flare up and are settled years later. Â You won’t see Paula Abdul talking about the suit she went through when a backup singer claimed she also sang leads. Nor will you hear much about songwriter claims very often unless it’s the delicious Joe Satriani and Coldplay allegations. Â Â
Watchers are asking why DeVitto, who claims no contact with Billy Joel, waited years before filing. Â Â There may indeed have been unaswered letters or unreturned calls, and answers won’t be forthcoming until this case has its day in court.
