In an online interview, DeVitto describes how Joel's classic late-1970s/early-1980s band first came together: Billy and I used to play the same club in Plainview, Long Island called "My House."

The three of us recorded the basic tracks for Turnstiles and we both recommended Russell Javors and Howie Emerson, who played guitars in Topper and with the addition of Richie Cannata on saxophone, the "Billy Joel Band" was born.

As of 2018, DeVitto uses Liberty drums, pedals and hardware, Sabian cymbals, Evans drumheads, Latin Percussion, and Pro-Mark drumsticks.

[5] Around that time he began collaborations with Brooklyn singer-songwriter Michael Sackler-Berner, which led to the founding of band The Slim Kings alongside bassist Andy Attanasio.

[6] On October 23, 2014, DeVitto, Cannata, and Javors (with Stegmeyer, posthumously) were inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, primarily for their work with Joel.

[8] On May 19, 2009, DeVitto filed a lawsuit in New York Supreme Court in Manhattan claiming that Joel and Sony Music owed him over 10 years worth of royalty payments.

[10] In 2003, DeVitto signed on as an official supporter of Little Kids Rock, a nonprofit organization that provides free musical instruments and instruction to children in underserved public schools throughout the United States.