This year, family and friends of Billy Joel who thought they were simply attending an annual Fourth of July gathering had the surprise of their lives on Saturday.
Joel, now 66 years old, married his longtime girlfriend Alexis Roderick at the artist's home in Long Island. Roderick is 33 and is said to be expecting her first child with Joel.
Supermodel Christie Brinkley, Joel's ex-wife, turned to Instagram and posted her wedding wishes for the couple.
"Congratulation to the glowing bride and groom," said Brinkley on her Instagram page. "And to my daughter Alexa, who has a wonderful friend in Alexis! Wishing the growing family every happiness!"
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo was the presiding official at the wedding, according to Joel's spokeswoman Claire Mercuri. Some of the notable attendees include actor Kevin James, Joel's second wife Brinkley and their daughter Alexa Ray Joel.
Joel and Roderick began dating in 2009 after they first met at a restaurant in Long Island.
"He was going to dinner. I wasn't," recalled Roderick. "And we were friends for a while before we started dating."
Roderick is a former executive at Morgan Stanley and is said to be an accomplished equestrian.
"The couple, together since 2009, opted to keep any further details of her pregnancy under wraps until their new addition makes an official debut," said Joel's representative.
Joel had been married three times in the past. He was first married to Elizabeth Weber Small during the 1970s and early 80s. Brinkley was Joel's second wife from 1985 to 1994. His marriage with third wife Katie Lee ended before he and Roderick met.
"Billy is thrilled to become a dad again," said an insider back in April.
The couple is expecting their first child in the summer. It is a daughter for the newlyweds.
Joel, who is credited for making a number of hits such as Uptown Girl, We Didn't Start The Fire, Still Rock 'N Roll and more, is currently on tour. He set a new record on Wednesday for being a single artist with the most performances after he held his 65th show at the Madison Square Garden.
