Billy Joel has launched a blistering attack on an unauthorized biopic that aims to chronicle his early years before he achieved fame. The 77-year-old legendary singer and pianist released an unprecedented statement condemning the film, titled Billy & Me, which is directed by John Ottman of Michael's fame. Joel has vowed never to grant permission for his hit songs to be used in the project.
Statement from Joel's Representative
According to Variety, Billy & Me is 'told through the eyes of Joel's first manager Irwin Mazur, who discovered the singer in 1966, signed him in 1970 and oversaw his career up to his breakthrough deal with Columbia Records in 1972.' However, a statement from Joel's representative made it clear that the project lacks authorization.
'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,' the representative said. '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.'
Despite Joel's opposition, casting is reportedly underway, with production scheduled to begin this fall in Winnipeg, Canada, and New York.
Screenwriter Responds
Screenwriter Adam Ripp responded to Joel's criticism in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. '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,' Ripp said. '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 added that the film holds exclusive life rights for Mazur and Joel's former bandmate Jon Small, who serves as a consultant and co-executive producer on Billy & Me.
Jon Small's Involvement
Small, who was Joel's bandmate in the duo Attila, promised that Billy & Me would be 'the most honest, heartfelt, and authentic portrayal of Billy's early life' and 'grounded in truth, shaped with care, and built with the insight of people who genuinely know and love Billy.' He added, 'As someone who was there from the very beginning, I can say this script captures not just the music, but the friendships, struggles, humor, and creative spark that defined those years.'
Director John Ottman also weighed in, saying, 'Sure, the long hair, cigarette smoke and authentic look of the period turns me on as a film-maker, but what truly drew me to the material was the humanity at its core… It's funny, heartbreaking, and ultimately very inspiring.'
Joel's Troubled Past
In his early 20s, Joel lived with his Attila bandmate and best friend Small, along with Small's wife Elizabeth Weber and their young son. During this time, Joel began a secret affair with Weber. 'I felt very, very guilty about it. They had a child. I felt like a homewrecker,' Joel explained in a 2025 documentary. 'I was just in love with a woman and I got punched in the nose - which I deserved. Jon was very upset. I was very upset.'
The fallout ended Attila, shattered Joel's friendship with Small, and left the future Piano Man broken and alone after Weber left. The pair later married.
Joel described his subsequent breakdown: 'I had no place to live. I was sleeping in laundromats and I was depressed, I think to the point of almost being psychotic. So I figured, "That's it. I don't want to live anymore." I was just in a lot of pain and it was sort of like, why hang out? Tomorrow's going to be just like today, and today sucks. So I just thought I'd end it all.'
At the height of his despair, Joel turned to his sister, Judy Molinari, who gave him sleeping pills. 'But Billy decided that he was going to take all of them… he was in a coma for days and days and days,' she recalled. Molinari also revealed that Joel's second attempt involved drinking a bottle of Lemon Pledge furniture polish. It was Small, despite their fractured friendship, who rushed him to the hospital. 'Even though our friendship was blowing up, Jon saved my life,' Joel said.
Small later reflected on the betrayal: 'He never really said anything to me. The only practical answer I can give as to why Billy took it so hard was because he loved me that much and that it killed him to hurt me that much. Eventually I forgave him.'
Joel's Rise to Fame
Joel's illustrious career began in the mid-1960s, leading to his debut studio album Cold Spring Harbor (1971). However, it failed to gain traction until the success of his follow-up, Piano Man (1973), which peaked at number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number four on the Adult Contemporary chart. Joel became a million seller with Streetlife Serenade (1974), but his commercial breakthrough came with The Stranger (1977), featuring hits like 'Movin' Out (Anthony's Song),' 'Just The Way You Are,' 'She's Always a Woman,' and 'Only The Good Die Young.' The album spent six weeks at number two on the Billboard 200 and sold over 10 million copies worldwide.
Joel maintained his momentum with 52nd Street (1978), which became his first number one album, supported by singles such as 'My Life,' 'Big Shot,' and 'Honesty.' With over 160 million records sold worldwide, Joel is one of the best-selling musical artists of all time and the fourth-best-selling solo artist in the United States.
