An unknown artist called Billy Joel had made his first album in 1971. His band was one of those which was contacted to play at the festival due to the cancellation by some bands that were in the promotion due to the legal problems the festival promoter was having with the Puerto Rican goverment (read more).

Something most people don't know is that MAR Y SOL was the first big step for Billy's future succes:

"Columbia records took notice of Billy Joel at the Mar Y Sol Pop Festival in Puerto Rico, which took place on April 1-3, 1972. Billy played in rainy conditions, and earned some major standing ovations from the crowd".
- Barry, New York, NC

Still not sure if he played on the first or the second day (some reviews say it was April 1st while band member Larry Russell and other eye witness say it was on Sunday the 2nd). Billy Joel was another highlight of the festival.

They played a song from his first album & the rest most of them were from his upcoming album 'Piano Man'. The 2 encores were covers.

In the book: BILLY JOEL: The Life and Times of an Angry Young Man (by Hank Bordowitz) they cover the MAR Y SOL experience in detail from page 59. To read these pages online simply click on the link above or HERE.

That same year Billy was signed by Columbia Records and released 'Piano Man' in 1973.

Billy Joel came back to Puerto Rico in the mid 90s (Hiram Bithorn Stadium)