Billy Joel has publicly condemned an upcoming unauthorized biopic about his life, describing it as 'legally and professionally misguided.' The film, titled Billy & Me, will chronicle the singer's rise to fame through the perspective of his former manager, Irwin Mazur.
Background of the Biopic
Filmmaker John Ottman secured the life rights of Mazur and Joel's longtime friend Jon Small for the project, which Ottman will also direct. However, in a statement released on Tuesday via Variety, a representative for Joel clarified: 'Since 2021, the parties involved have been officially notified that they do not possess Billy Joel’s life rights and will not be able to secure the music rights required for this project. Billy Joel has not authorized or supported this project in any capacity, and any attempt to move forward without it would be both legally and professionally misguided.'
Response from the Filmmakers
Screenwriter Adam Ripp responded to Joel's remarks in The Hollywood Reporter, stating: 'At no point have we ever claimed to control or possess rights to Billy Joel’s original songs, nor has this film ever been conceived around the use of his hit catalog. The project was always designed as an intimate origin story focused on the people and relationships surrounding Billy during this specific period of his life.'
Ripp’s father, Artie Ripp, gave Joel his first record deal and produced his debut album, Cold Spring Harbor, in 1971. Mazur discovered Joel in 1966, signed him four years later, and managed his career until Columbia Records signed him in 1972. Joel's breakthrough came the following year with his album Piano Man.
Production Details
Ottman, an Oscar-winning editor known for his work on the Michael Jackson biopic Michael and the Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, described Billy & Me as 'a deeply emotional and fun story.' Ripp emphasized that the film is not a traditional cradle-to-grave biopic and is not dependent on Joel's original music. 'The film takes place during Billy’s formative years — before the fame, before the fortune, and before the iconic songs that made him “The Piano Man,”' Ripp said. 'Much of the period depicted centers around Billy’s early years performing cover songs with The Hassles and struggling to find his artistic identity as a young musician.'
Ripp also noted that they hold the life rights to Jon Small, Joel's lifelong best friend and original drummer, who is actively involved as a consultant, co-executive producer, and second unit director. 'Jon personally consulted on the screenplay and fully endorses the film as someone who lived through and experienced the events portrayed firsthand,' Ripp concluded. 'We have tremendous respect for Billy Joel and his extraordinary legacy. Our intention has always been to tell an honest, heartfelt story about the early years of a young artist before the world knew his name.'
