Billy Joel to Rondor/UMPG

A RONDOR STATE OF MIND: Billy Joel has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Rondor Music International and UMPG Worldwide. The move is surprising in that Joel has been self-administered for decades and hasn’t had a publishing deal in the U.S. since the ’80s. "Publishing is a cornerstone of the music business, one of the reasons songs live and thrive around the world years after they've been written or recorded,” said Joel in a statement. “Rondor and Universal Music Publishing Group understand the complexities of music publishing in general and the nuances of my catalog in particular. The successful ongoing administration of my songs is in good hands under the stewardship of Rondor and UMPG." Added Rondor President Lance Freed: “Billy’s catalog is one of the greatest in contemporary music. His songs are melodic and memorable, and he writes conversationally in universal themes that are timeless and borderless. Billy’s music is as important to his era as George Gershwin and Irving Berlin’s were to theirs. It’s truly an extraordinary privilege to welcome Billy to Rondor.” (8/31p)