Billy Joel has spoken out about the slaughter of elephants for ivory. He has advocated a proposed New York law which would ban illegal ivory sales in the state.

"I wholeheartedly support the ivory sales ban bill pending in New York State. I am a piano player. And I realize that ivory piano keys are preferred by some pianists. But a preference for ivory keys does not justify the slaughter of 96 elephants every day.

He added, "There are other materials which can be substituted for piano keys. But magnificent creatures like these can never be replaced. Music must never be used as an excuse to destroy an endangered species. Music should be a celebration of life - not an instrument of death.

The bill, introduced by Andrew Cuomo, would expand restrictions on the sale of ivory materials and toughens penalties against those who sell them.