Billy Joel Is Really Mad About The Movie Coming Out About Him

Billy Joel is not happy about the upcoming biopic “Billy and Me” and says it’s being made without his permission.

“Billy and Me” is told from the perspective of Joel’s first manager, Irwin Mazur, and details the time before he became famous with the release of the 1973 iconic single “Piano Man.” Per Variety, casting is currently underway, and the film is scheduled to start shooting later this year.

The moviemakers procured rights to Mazur’s life story and to that of drummer Jon Small, who played with Joel in the bands The Hassles and Attila. But they do not have the rights to Joel’s music or life. 

A statement from Joel’s rep said, “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.” 

Film producer Adam Ripp told Variety in reply to the statement, “The story of ‘Billy and Me’ is told from the perspective of Billy’s manager at the time, Irwin Mazur, and features Billy’s lifelong friend and former drummer Jon Small. The project has acquired the exclusive life story rights of Irwin Mazur, as well as the life story rights of Jon Small.”

“‘Billy and Me’ focuses on the period surrounding Billy Joel and The Hassles, and features the cover songs performed by them during that era,” he added. “As such, characterizing ‘Billy and Me’ as ‘legally and professionally misguided’ does not accurately reflect the nature of the project nor the legally obtained rights underlying the production. The film is based on Irwin Mazur and Jon Small’s firsthand experiences and Irwin’s legitimate right to tell his own life story and perspective regarding the events depicted in the film.”

The film will likely delve into the story of Joel’s first wife, Elizabeth Weber, the inspiration for his hit singles, “She’s Always a Woman” and “Just the Way You Are.” 

Weber was married to Small and had an affair with Joel. During a career decline, Joel became depressed and attempted suicide, as he discussed in the HBO documentary, “And So It Goes.” Small found Joel after one of the attempts and brought him to the hospital. 

Joel and Small became friends again, and he and Weber also repaired their relationship. They married in 1973, and she became his manager, then divorced in 1982. The Grammy Award-winning singer has been married to his fourth wife, Alexis Roderick, since 2015.