> Billy Joel is a unique case in point. After
about 20 years of writing pop music, he
announced he would stop (c. 1992, i think the
last album being River of Dreams). Joel said
he was going to devote his attention to writing
more serious music, more in line with the
styles of all those guys you listed. I think his
first classical album came out last year, on
which he didn't even play the stuff for piano.
Sounds fun, but i still haven't bought a copy.

Oh yes, I just read an MSNBC news article a
few weeks ago about a volume of piano solo
music that Billy Joel just published. In the
interview he said that he got his start in
classical music, then turned to rock/pop
where he hit it big. I wonder if he'll be as
successful in the classical scene.