Music icon Billy Joel has revealed a deeply personal side of his past in the new documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes. The 76-year-old legend spoke candidly about his mental health struggles, including two suicide attempts in his early twenties, which he attributed to a tumultuous affair with a friend’s wife that spiraled into emotional turmoil.
The Affair and Its Aftermath
Joel’s emotional journey began when he lived with his bandmate Jon Small, his wife Elizabeth Weber, and their child. What started as a friendship eventually developed into a romantic relationship between Joel and Weber, which she later described as a “slow build.”
Their affair led to a complex and painful outcome: Joel and Weber eventually married in 1973, but their relationship ended in 1982. The affair not only tore apart Joel’s personal life but also had a devastating impact on his professional life and friendships.
The Emotional Toll on Billy Joel
In the documentary, Joel opened up about the intense feelings of guilt he felt for his actions. “I was in love,” Joel said about his relationship with Weber.
He acknowledged the pain he caused Jon Small and expressed deep remorse for being involved in the affair, especially since it affected Small and his child. “I felt very, very guilty about it,” Joel admitted, “I was just in love with a woman and I got punched in the nose which I deserved.”
The emotional fallout from the affair was not just limited to his personal life but also led to the disbandment of his band, Attila. Joel’s life was further shaken by the breakup, which sent him spiraling into a period of severe mental anguish.
Suicidal Thoughts and Mental Health Struggles
Joel revealed that during this turbulent period, he was overwhelmed by feelings of despair, which led to two suicide attempts. He described the difficult emotional state that prompted these tragic thoughts, detailing how the complex emotions from the affair and the breakdown of his relationships pushed him to the edge.
While the documentary touches on these dark moments, it also shows how Joel has worked through his past struggles and evolved into the resilient figure he is today.
A New Perspective on His Past
The documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes sheds light on a side of the musician that many fans may not have known about, showing a vulnerable and raw look at the personal challenges he faced at the height of his fame. Despite the pain he experienced, Joel has since moved forward, finding stability and peace in his later years.
In the film, Joel shares his reflections on how these past experiences shaped him as a person and an artist. His candidness in revealing the dark parts of his journey offers a deeper understanding of the complexities behind the music and the man behind the hits.