Billy & Me: Exploring Billy Joel's Early Years in Upcoming Biopic
Billy Joel has recently addressed the news of an upcoming biopic that will delve into his early years, focusing on his relationship with his former manager, Irwin Mazur. Filmmaker John Ottman has obtained the life rights of Mazur and Joel’s friend Jon Small for the film titled Billy & Me, which Ottman will direct. However, Joel’s representative stated that the parties involved do not have the rights to Joel’s life story or music, and Joel has not endorsed the project in any way.
The film’s screenwriter, Adam Ripp, clarified that the project was never intended to feature Joel’s original songs and was instead meant to explore the people and relationships in Joel’s life during a specific period. Ripp emphasized that the movie is not a traditional biopic but rather a narrative centered on Joel’s formative years before his rise to fame and iconic status as “The Piano Man.”
Ripp highlighted that the film will focus on Joel’s early struggles as a musician, performing cover songs with The Hassles and searching for his artistic identity. He also mentioned that Jon Small, Joel’s lifelong best friend and original drummer, is actively involved in the production as a consultant and co-executive producer. Ripp expressed deep respect for Joel and his legacy, emphasizing that the film aims to tell an authentic and heartfelt story about the young artist before he became a household name.
In conclusion, the upcoming biopic Billy & Me aims to provide a unique perspective on Billy Joel’s early years, shedding light on the relationships and challenges that shaped his journey to musical success. Despite the controversy surrounding the project, the filmmakers are committed to portraying an honest and respectful portrayal of Joel’s formative experiences before he became a music icon.