Writing to Billy Joel 1/18/19

Hi Daddy,

I'm going to see Billy Joel in September. Karen got some tickets. I am sending this letter to Billy Joel, what do you think?


January 18, 2019
To Billy Joel/Whom This May Concern:
Billy Joel was (and is) the soundtrack to my life.

As a 3 year old I was convinced that my dad and Billy Joel were one in the same, as your music was always on in our home and you have a daughter the same age as me named Alexa. I could write pages about all the ways in which your music influenced defining moments of my life, and funny anecdotes about how my dad and I would have special dance moves or belt out lines of particular songs (off-key every time) , but I will keep those memories forever. Unfortunately, I recently lost my dad.

I would love to opportunity to thank you, Billy, in person, for playing such a huge part of my childhood and being the soundtrack to all of the time spent with my dad. Your music means so much to me, and though you don’t know me from any other random person, I would love the opportunity to just meet the man that was the foundation of my amazing relationship with my Daddy.

I want to tell you about my Dad. My dad is named Ken Roos and he was an amazing man. He strived to defeat hate and increase love in the world. Daddy was very politically motivated in changing the world to a better and more peaceful place. He taught me to stand up for myself, defend those that cannot defend themselves, and help those in need. My Dad is my other half, and I know how weird that sounds, but I only realized this when he passed away unexpectedly in July of 2018.
My Dad’s 64th birthday would have been August 10, 2018 and I had planned to surprise him with tickets to your show that night in Boston. Unfortunately, I had to forego the tickets.

My dad had a heart attack (ack, ack, ack, ack, ack...he would love that I just did that, by the way) on July 4th. After a successful and quick surgery he was feeling better. We talked on the phone about how much we love each other and how many more things we want to do together. We talked about how he only wants me to be happy. He told me that he couldn’t wait to dance with me at my wedding to “our song”, Lullaby. Nothing went unsaid and we both knew how the other felt completely.

Daddy had a second heart attack on July 6th. For three weeks I spent my days sitting with my Dad in his ICU room listening to his favorite songs, watching his favorite TV shows, and talking to him, while he was kept in a medically induced coma, and then light sedation. We listened to Downeaster Alexa, River of Dreams, and Lullaby during his last moments.

When I heard you were coming back to Boston this fall, I knew that I was going to the show. It wasn’t even something to think about. I can bring my Dad with me this time, as he is always with me in my heart. It will be a bittersweet moment, but I am so looking forward to it.

I am hopeful that I could be lucky enough to meet you, the composer of the soundtrack to my life. I want to thank you and give you a most grateful hug. I want you to know that you have influenced others in such an astounding and magical way. It would be an honor, and one more way I can cherish and remember my Dad.

Much love and respect,



Alexa Roos (I’m the one NOT on the pole, that would be my dad)


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