Music enthusiasts in Vero Beach have a unique opportunity to experience the authentic sound of one of America’s greatest songwriters next month. The Lords of 52nd Street—renowned as the legends of the Billy Joel Band—are set to perform live at The Emerson Center on Thursday, February 12, at 7 p.m.
This highly anticipated performance is part of the 2026 MusicWorks concert series. Unlike standard tribute acts, The Lords of 52nd Street are the actual musicians who helped establish Billy Joel’s formidable “New York sound.” The lineup stems from the group that formed in Long Island to record and tour with Joel, beginning with his first successful album, Turnstiles, in 1976.
The band members, including Richie Cannata on sax and keys, Russell Javors on guitar, and Liberty Devitto on drums, were instrumental in Joel’s rise from playing local colleges to selling out Madison Square Garden. They were the creative force in the studio for Grammy award-winning albums such as 52nd Street, Glass Houses, and The Nylon Curtain.
The Lords’ live performances sound just like the original recordings with Billy Joel, if not better. They have sold more than 150 million records, helped establish Billy Joel’s formidable sound, and continue to perform their legendary hits to this day.
Community Partners and Sponsors
The concert series is supported by Presenting Sponsors Joe and Denise Corr, alongside show sponsors Barbara Ruddy and Ocean Grill. Additional local support comes from ONE Sotheby’s International Realty, AMAC Alex MacWilliam Real Estate, and Image 360 of Vero Beach.
Each concert in the series highlights a non-profit partner. For this event, the spotlight is on Big Brothers Big Sisters of Indian River County. For over a century, this organization has built meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), fostering positive relationships that have lasting effects on the lives of young people in the community.
Ticket and Venue Information
Tickets are currently on sale and range from $50 to $115. They can be purchased through the MusicWorks Concerts website.
The Emerson Center is located on the campus of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach at 1590 27th Avenue (on the southeast corner of 16th Street and 27th Avenue).
Attendees should note the following arrival details:
The venue is accessible, offering an elevator to the second-floor balcony and complimentary listening devices available at the office. Following this event, the next concert in the series will be “Simon and Garfunkel Through the Years” on February 19.
