Billy Joel fans in attendance to see tribute band Big Shot got the surprise of a lifetime when Joel himself sat in with them for a few songs.

Newsday reports that Joel had been sitting in the VIP section with his wife when he came down onto the stage midway through Big Shot's set at the Paramount in the Long Island town of Huntington, New York.

They played three songs, the Rolling Stones' "Honky Tonk Women," Joe Cocker's arrangement of the Beatles' "With a Little Help From My Friends" and his own "You May Be Right."


"We were so surprised," said Christi Battaglia, who was in the front row.

"People pay big money to see him.

We got it for cheap!" Another fan, Kim Guerriero said, "This was the best birthday gift.

What an amazing night for all of us!"


Three members of Big Shot, guitarist Tommy Byrnes, drummer Chuck Burgi and frontman Michael Del Guidice, are also members of Joel's backing band.