The Downeaster “Alexa”
Locations of L.I. Shoots:
Billy Joel — “The Downeaster ‘Alexa’”
Year: 1990
Filming area: Long Island’s East End commercial-fishing community and surrounding waters
Director: Andy Morahan
Album: Storm Front
Named for: Joel’s boat, which was named after his daughter Alexa Ray Joel
What the video is about: Joel portrays the struggles of a Long Island fisherman who must travel farther from shore as fish become harder to find and traditional baymen can no longer earn a dependable living. The video combines Joel’s performance with working boats and real Long Island fishermen.
Long Island participants: East Hampton fisherman Danny King and his boat appear in the video.
