Billy Joel has given his support to a proposed ban of the sale of ivory in New York.
“I wholeheartedly support the ivory sales ban bill pending in New York State,” wrote the music legend on his website. "I am a piano player. And I realize that ivory piano keys are preferred by some pianists. But a preference for ivory keys does not justify the slaughter of 96 elephants every day.
“There are other materials which can be substituted for piano keys. But magnificent creatures like these can never be replaced.
“Music must never be used as an excuse to destroy an endangered species. Music should be a celebration of life – not an instrument of death.”
Joel isn’t the only one supporting the bill – Meryl Streep released the following statement earlier this week: "As a New Jersey native I was delighted to learn from my friends at The Humane Society of the United States that our state could be the first in the country to enact a ban on the importation and sale of ivory – a product of horrific cruelty to elephants and rhinos, who could very well become extinct within decades if we don’t act now. Governor, you have my full support and I hope you usher this critical bill through without delay."
