Liberty DeVitto

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

DeVitto's journey began when he received his cousin's old drum set at age 11, but he truly became serious after watching The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964. Influenced by rock drummer Dino Danelli, DeVitto developed a style described as "aggressive and hard hitting." His path crossed with Billy Joel in Hicksville, Long Island, where both teens played at the same club called "My House." Joel, then 17 in The Hassles, and DeVitto, 16 in The New Rock Workshop, acknowledged each other in passing. By 1974, while Joel was living in Los Angeles using different road musicians, bassist Doug Stegmeyer recommended DeVitto to help form a permanent band. This recommendation led to the recording of basic tracks for Turnstiles and the recruitment of Russell Javors, Howie Emerson, and Richie Cannata, officially birthing the "Billy Joel Band."

In Their Own Story

In May 2009, DeVitto filed a lawsuit in New York Supreme Court claiming he was owed over ten years of royalty payments, noting he had never received songwriting credit on any of Joel's songs. His lawyer admitted the exact amount was unknown and required an audit of Joel's record sales. By April 2010, the parties announced they had "amicably resolved" the dispute out of court. Years later, in a 2020 radio interview, DeVitto revealed that he and Joel had reconciled their friendship. That same year, he published his memoir, Liberty: Life, Billy and the Pursuit of Happiness, for which Joel wrote the foreword. The legal tension eventually gave way to personal healing, marking a new chapter in their decades-long relationship.

Reader's Guide

DeVitto's tenure with Billy Joel began in the mid-1970s and lasted until his discharge from the 2006 tour for an unknown reason, ending what was the longest running tenure in the band. Following this departure, he focused on other projects, including collaborations with Michael Sackler-Berner that led to founding The Slim Kings. This band released two albums before signing with Universal Music Canada/Wax Records in 2024 for their third LP, Superlove, released in 2025. As of 2018, DeVitto uses Liberty drums and hardware, Sabian cymbals, Evans drumheads, Latin Percussion, and Pro-Mark drumsticks. He also formed the Lords of 52nd Street with Richie Cannata and Russell Javors to play faithful renditions of Joel's recorded originals.

Did You Know?

• DeVitto was only 16 when he first met Billy Joel at a club in Hicksville, Long Island.
• He has played on records that have sold a combined total of over 150 million units worldwide, a figure largely driven by his work with Billy Joel.
• His memoir, Liberty: Life, Billy and the Pursuit of Happiness, does not feature a foreword written by Billy Joel.
• DeVitto was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame alongside bandmates Doug Stegmeyer (posthumously), Russell Javors, and Richie Cannata on October 23, 2014.
• The Slim Kings signed to Universal Music Canada/Wax Records in 2024 for their third album, Superlove, released in 2025.

The Formative Years and Early Influences

Born in New York City of Italian ancestry to a father who was an NYPD police officer, DeVitto started learning snare drum at school. He received his first full kit around age 11 but only committed to the craft after seeing The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964. His teenage years were further shaped by the influence of rock drummer Dino Danelli.

Building the Billy Joel Band

The core band formed after bassist Doug Stegmeyer recommended DeVitto to Billy Joel in 1974, citing the need for a "New York-type drummer." The trio recorded basic tracks for Turnstiles and added guitarists Russell Javors and Howie Emerson, plus saxophonist Richie Cannata. This lineup produced classic albums including The Stranger, 52nd Street, Glass Houses, The Nylon Curtain, An Innocent Man, Storm Front, and River of Dreams.

Session Work and Post-Joel Ventures

DeVitto has been a session drummer on records selling 150 million units worldwide, working with Paul McCartney, Carly Simon, Karen Carpenter, Stevie Nicks, Rick Wakeman, Bob James, and Meat Loaf. In the 2010s, he appeared on the cover of Making Music magazine and formed The Slim Kings, touring with ZZ Top and Los Lonely Boys. On October 23, 2014, DeVitto, Cannata, and Javors were inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.

Legal Disputes and Personal Legacy

In 2009, DeVitto sued Joel and Sony Music for unpaid royalties, a case settled amicably in April 2010. He reconciled with Joel by 2020, the same year his memoir was published. A father of four daughters—Devon (b. 1980), Torrey (b. 1984), and Maryelle (b. 1988)—he is also a supporter of Little Kids Rock, delivering instruments to children in underserved schools since 2003.