Billy Joel was influenced by early rock and roll and rhythm and blues artists, including groups such as The Beatles, The Everly Brothers and Elvis Presley. After : seeing The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show, Joel decided to pursue a career in music. At age 16, Joel joined the Echoes, a group that specialized in British Invasion covers. In late 1965, the Echoes changed their name to the Emeralds, and then to the Lost Souls. Joel left the band in 1967 to join the Hassles, a Long Island group. Joel and drummer Jon Small left the Hassles in 1969 to form the duo Attila,