Impactful Revelations From Billy Joel: “And So It Goes” Documentary
Iconic musician Billy Joel has shared deeply personal revelations in a newly premiered documentary, “Billy Joel: And So It Goes,” that debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York on June 4. Joel, now aged 76, acknowledged for the first time publicly the immense emotional turmoil he experienced in his early 20s, resulting in two suicide attempts following an affair with Elizabeth Weber, the wife of his former bandmate and close friend, Jon Small. This tumultuous period led to significant changes in Joel’s personal life, severely impacting his mental health and career trajectory.
The affair began while Joel was living with Small, Weber, and her son, causing him to feel profound guilt and depression when the truth emerged. This betrayal not only dismantled Joel and Small’s friendship but also led to the sudden dissolution of their band, Attila. Struggling with severe emotional distress and societal backlash, Joel spiraled into a depressive state, eventually becoming homeless.
The first suicide attempt involved overdosing on sleeping pills provided by Joel’s sister, Judy Molinari, a medical assistant who had intended the medication to help him sleep. Joel ended up in a coma for multiple days, during which Molinari faced intense anxiety, recalling in the documentary, “I thought I had killed him, and it was devastating.”
Following this traumatic event, Joel described his mental state as “almost psychotic,” feeling trapped and overwhelmed. Driven by unrelenting despair, his second suicide attempt was carried out using a household cleaning product, lemon Pledge. Remarkably, Jon Small, despite their significant personal conflict, was the one who found Joel and quickly transported him to a hospital, saving his life.
“I was just in a lot of pain, emotionally. I reached a point where I thought I’d end it all,” Joel explained candidly in the documentary.
The heartfelt revelations in this documentary provide significant insights into the personal struggles that profoundly impacted Joel’s life and artistic direction.
Personal Challenges and Road to Recovery
After his harrowing experiences, Joel chose to admit himself into an observation ward, where he received psychiatric care and counseling. This pivotal decision began his gradual recovery from intense emotional distress. Joel used this dark period as creative fuel, channeling his pain and experiences into powerful music, ultimately shaping his distinctive artistic voice.
Following his release from psychiatric care, Joel reconciled with Elizabeth Weber, leading them to eventually marry in 1973. Their relationship, a focal point of Joel’s emotional journey, lasted until their divorce in 1982. The documentary also portrays Elizabeth Weber’s reflections, who described her relationship with Joel as a “slow build,” indicating that their emotional connection grew gradually, complicating the social and personal ramifications of their affair.
Decades later, Joel continues facing health hurdles. Recently, he canceled a series of tour dates due to a diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a rare brain condition affecting balance, walking, and cognitive abilities. This diagnosis presents a new challenge, demonstrating Joel’s ongoing resilience in the face of adversity.
“Joel’s strength through such profound personal and health challenges deeply resonates with fans and highlights his determination,” filmmaker Susan Lacy commented during the Tribeca Festival debut.
Contextualizing the Struggle: Mental Health in the Music Industry
Billy Joel’s experiences painfully underscore the broader challenge of mental health struggles within the entertainment industry. Numerous artists across different eras have publicly grappled with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, often exacerbated by public scrutiny, intense pressure to maintain career success, and personal turmoil.
Historically, iconic musicians like Kurt Cobain, Chester Bennington, and Avicii have tragically died by suicide, highlighting a prevalent and pressing crisis within artistic communities. Mental health care, previously stigmatized or ignored within the entertainment industry, has gradually become a pivotal topic of discussion and advocacy, prompting many to seek necessary support.
The significance of Joel’s candid revelations lies not just in their personal poignancy, but also in their broader capacity to encourage open conversations about mental health. Joel’s public acknowledgment of mental health struggles contributes to reducing stigma surrounding these experiences, potentially helping individuals struggling in silence feel empowered to seek assistance.
Recent surveys indicate that musicians suffer disproportionately from mental health issues, with one UK study revealing that nearly 73% of independent musicians reported experiencing anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges. Joel’s documentary provides further evidence of these pervasive issues within creative industries, advocating implicitly for better mental health support structures and awareness.
Joel’s openness regarding his personal journey, marked by extreme emotional challenges and eventual triumph, underscores the importance of candid discourse around mental health. Through his vulnerability, Billy Joel continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, reinforcing the narrative that seeking help and embracing emotional authenticity are critical steps in mental health recovery and personal growth.