Billy Joel's Journey: From Rock Bottom to 'The Piano Man' - A Story of Redemption and Resilience
Billy Joel opens up about his past struggles in the new HBO documentary And So It Goes, revealing that he attempted suicide twice due to his affair with his bandmate's wife. Before his rise to fame as "The Piano Man," Joel was part of a hard rock band called Attila, where he developed a romantic relationship with his best friend's wife, Elizabeth Weber. The affair led to the breakup of the band, the end of his friendship with Jon Small, and Joel being evicted from Small's house.
Feeling guilty and depressed, Joel attempted suicide by overdosing on sleeping pills, which resulted in him being in a coma for days. Disappointed that his first attempt failed, he later drank a bottle of cleaning product in a second suicide attempt. Fortunately, Small intervened and took Joel to the hospital, ultimately saving his life. Following these incidents, Joel sought help and spent time in an observation ward, where he realized he could channel his emotions into music.
Despite the turmoil caused by the affair, Joel and Weber eventually reconciled and got married. Their marriage lasted from 1973 to 1982. The documentary premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, where Joel was unable to attend due to health reasons. In a message relayed by the filmmakers, Joel humorously remarked on the challenges of aging but expressed gratitude for being alive. The documentary sheds light on Joel's personal struggles and the transformative power of music in his life.