Liberty DeVitto Net Worth

What is Liberty DeVitto's net worth?

Liberty DeVitto is an American rock drummer who has a net worth of $20 million Liberty DeVitto is best known as the former drummer for singer-songwriter Billy Joel. In addition to his work with Joel's touring band, he appeared on all of the artist's albums between 1976 and 1993. DeVitto has recorded albums with many other artists, as well, including Meat Loaf's "Dead Ringer," Carly Simon's "Spoiled Girl," and Mick Jones's self-titled solo album.

Early Life

Liberty DeVitto was born as Liberatori DeVitto on August 8, 1950 in New York City to Italian immigrant parents. His father was a policeman in the New York City Police Department. DeVitto developed a passion for music growing up, and taught himself how to play the drums after watching the Beatles perform on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1964. He was also heavily influenced by Young Rascals drummer Dino Danelli. At the age of 16, as a member of the band the New Rock Workshop, DeVitto met singer-songwriter Billy Joel while playing in a club in Plainview, Long Island.

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Work with Billy Joel

In the mid-1970s, DeVitto was playing in the band Topper with bassist Doug Stegmeyer when Stegmeyer was chosen to perform on Billy Joel's "Streetlife" tour. Joel, then living in Los Angeles, wanted to move back to New York and find a permanent band he could both record and tour with. Stegmeyer recommended DeVitto to join the band as the drummer; eventually, the band was rounded out by saxophonist Richie Cannata and guitarists Russell Javors and Howie Emerson. The first studio album recorded by Joel with this new band was "Turnstiles," which came out in 1976. That was followed in 1977 by "The Stranger," which was Joel's critical and commercial breakthrough. Reaching number two on the Billboard 200, it spawned four hit singles and won a pair of Grammy Awards for the song "Just the Way You Are." Joel and his band continued their success with the 1978 album "52nd Street," which topped the Billboard 200 and won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Nearly as successful was the 1980 album "Glass Houses," which also topped the Billboard 200. Moreover, it launched Joel's first number-one hit single, "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me."

In 1981, DeVitto appeared on Joel's first live album, "Songs in the Attic." The next year, he played on the studio album "The Nylon Curtain." In 1983, Joel released the studio album "An Innocent Man," which spawned the number-one hit single "Tell Her About It." Joel's next studio album, released in 1986, was "The Bridge"; it was his last to feature Stegmeyer and Javors. They were replaced by Schuyler Deale and Joey Hunting, respectively, for Joel's 1989 album "Storm Front." A big commercial success, "Storm Front" peaked atop the Billboard 200 and launched the number-one single "We Didn't Start the Fire," which earned three Grammy Award nominations. Joel released his final rock album, "River of Dreams," in 1993. It became his fourth album to reach number one on the Billboard 200, remaining in that position for three weeks. Like most of Joel's preceding albums, "River of Dreams" earned multiple Grammy Award nominations, including Album of the Year. After 30 years of working with Joel, DeVitto was abruptly dismissed from the singer-songwriter's touring band in 2006.

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Other Musical Contributions

DeVitto has done session recording with numerous other artists beyond Joel, including Stevie Nicks, Paul McCartney, Carly Simon, Meat Loaf, Karen Carpenter, and Rick Wakeman. He appeared on Meat Loaf's 1981 album "Dead Ringer," Carly Simon's 1985 album "Spoiled Girl," and Karen Carpenter's self-titled 1996 solo album, which had been recorded between 1979 and 1980. DeVitto also played on Mick Jones's self-titled 1989 solo album. Later, in 2012, he formed the band the Slim Kings with singer-songwriter Michael Sackler-Berner and bassist Andy Attanasio. The band's first album was "Fresh Socks," followed by "Dirty Socks" in 2017. Meanwhile, in 2014, DeVitto formed the band the Lords of 52nd Street with fellow former Billy Joel band members Richie Cannata and Russell Javors. Over the years, the Lords of 52nd Street has featured such other members as Dennis DelGaudio, Doug Kistner, Malcolm Gold, and Dan Orlando.

Philanthropy 

DeVitto has been significantly involved with the nonprofit Music Will, formerly known as Little Kids Rock, which gives free musical instruments and instruction to children in underfunded public schools in the United States. For the organization, he has personally delivered instruments to children and performed at benefit events.

Personal Life

DeVitto has four daughters. One of them, Torrey DeVitto, is an actress who has appeared on such television series as "One Tree Hill," "Pretty Little Liars," "The Vampire Diaries," and "Chicago Med."

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