Billy Joel to play the last ever gig at the historic Shea Stadium

Billy Joel will play the last ever gig at New York's historic Shea Stadium, it has been announced.

The Piano Man singer will headline "The Last Play at Shea" concert on July 16.

Joel, 58, said: "It's an honour to help throw Shea the ultimate concert farewell party.

"As a sports fan and a music lover, I will always have a place for Shea Stadium in my heart."

The Beatles famously played to a crowd of more than 55,000 at Shea Stadium in 1965.

The venue, in Flushing, New York, is home to the New York Mets baseball team. They are moving to a new stadium in 2009.

It will be the first in-season gig at the stadium since Eric Clapton and Elton John performed at the venue in 1992. Bruce Springsteen, Jimi Hendrix, The Police and Janis Joplin have all played the baseball ground in the past.

Joel's gig will make him the first musician to play at both the Shea Stadium and the Yankee Stadium.