The Long Island band called the Lost Souls -- not to be confused with the Cleveland-based outfit of the same name from the 1960s, or the Australian group of that name from the same period -- are remembered today because of the membership, from 1964 through 1967, of Billy Joel. Before he joined the Hassles in 1967, Joel played piano and sang, and contributed songs of his own to their repertory of covers, for more than three years, during which the Lost Souls went from being local attractions to winning a few regional band competitions, playing the New York World's Fair, and getting a contract with Mercury Records.
© 2008