Billy Joel: And So It Goes - A Poignant Journey Through Family History and Resilience
Billy Joel shares a poignant story about his family's history in the HBO documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes. The musician delves into his father's Jewish family's escape from Germany during World War II. Billy's father, Howard Joel, grew up in a prosperous German family that faced persecution when the Nazis came to power. His grandfather, Karl Joel, made the difficult decision to leave Germany and sold his factory before fleeing to Switzerland with his family.
The Joels eventually found refuge in Cuba and later in the United States. Billy discovered unsettling details about his grandfather's factory being used to produce uniforms for Nazi prisoners. Despite not knowing much about his father's past until his mid-20s, Billy made efforts to reconnect with him, eventually learning about his father's experiences in the U.S. Army during the war.
Billy's family history deeply affected him, prompting him to make a rare political statement by wearing a yellow star during a concert in response to President Trump's remarks following the Charlottesville rally. The star symbolized Billy's pride in his Jewish heritage and his stance against hate and discrimination.
Billy Joel's documentary sheds light on his family's resilience and the impact of their wartime experiences. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of remembering and honoring the past to prevent history from repeating itself.