Looks like one of the first artists lusted after shortly after the reality of a keyboard in Rock Band 3 was announced may soon be coming to Rock Band as DLC. According to a just published USA Today story on Billy Joel, this happened:

One more new project has Joel venturing into virtual competition. A dozen of his hits will be downloadable for the video game Rock Band 3, out Tuesday. “I’ve never allowed my music to be used in a game before,” but an Entertainment Weekly review of NBC’s The Office changed his mind. Alluding to an episode in which characters mention a Rock Band featuring Billy Joel, “the critic wrote something like, ‘God forbid that ever should happen.’ So I called my people and said, ‘Get me (on) that Rock Band game.’ Then I wrote the critic, saying that every time I get a check, I’ll give him a little nod.”

While the wording above is somewhat awkward, I don’t believe a 12-pack would ALSO be out next week, but rather I wouldn’t be surprised to see it coinciding with a new greatest hits compilation coming out on November 9th.

And yes, I would personally like to take credit for helping to get Billy Joel in to Rock Band based on my enthusiasm and excellent commentary here! (Laugh it up, fuzzballs.)

UPDATE: Harmonix has now officially confirmed Billy Joel coming EXCLUSIVELY to Rock Band on December 14th, along with some of the songs that will be featured in the DLC pack below:

Big Shot

Captain Jack

It’s Still Rock N Roll to Me

Movin’ Out

Only The Good Die Young

Piano Man

Pressure

Say Goodbye to Hollywood

The Entertainer

The Stranger

NOTE: There “should” be 12 songs coming to Rock Band per Harmonix, although the press release only listed the 10 above. Will update once I find out the final two.

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[USAToday via Alex, Thanks!]