Richie Cannata (b. March 5, 1948) in NYC, is an acclaimed musician who is also a successful record producer. As a member of "The Billy Joel Band" from 1975-81, he contributed immensely to such landmark albums as "The Stranger", "52nd Street" and "Glass Houses". His specialties are the keyboards, the clarinet, the flute and the saxophone. In 1981, he left the band to open "Cove City Sound Studios" in Glen Cove, Long Island New York. Many top artists including Billy Joel and Celene Dion have recorded there. He has returned to perform with Billy on many occasions including performing on "Billy Joel Live on Long Island", a 1983 HBO TV Special, taped at the Nassau Coliseum on the previous New Year's Eve, the 12 Billy Joel concert performances at NYCs' Madison Square Garden in 2006 and for "The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame 25th Aniiversary" (2009) also at Madison Square Garden. On that historic occasion "The Billy Joel Band" performed with "Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band"