Betrayal, Despair, and Melody: Billy Joel’s Journey Through Suicide Attempts
This article traces Billy Joel’s life from his Bronx childhood to the Tribeca premiere of Billy Joel: And So It Goes. It explores his early musical passion, the affair that shattered friendships, and the two suicide attempts that left him in a coma.
Through personal quotes and hard facts, readers see how he channeled guilt into songwriting and leaned on family and friends for healing. The piece highlights the new HBO documentary’s candid exploration of mental health, music therapy, and the resilience required to transform despair into creative triumph.
Billy Joel’s Early Life and Musical Roots
William Martin Joel was born on May 9, 1949, in the Bronx and raised in Hicksville, Long Island. His mother insisted that he take piano lessons from the age of four, and by his teens, he dropped out of high school to pursue music full-time. He played in bands like The Hassles before co-founding Attila, where he learned songwriting and performance skills.
Those formative years honed his craft and emotional depth, shaping the “Piano Man” persona that would later define his career. His resilience in childhood laid the groundwork for the personal struggles and triumphs that lay ahead.
Rise of the “Piano Man”
After signing with Columbia Records, Joel released “Cold Spring Harbor” (1971) and then “Piano Man” (1973), which became his signature song. Over the next decade, albums like The Stranger (1977) and 52nd Street (1978) brought him global fame and Grammy Awards.
He sold over 160 million records worldwide, earning acclaim for hits such as “Just the Way You Are” and “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” His m, whichusic combined pop-rock with heartfelt storytellicementedting his legacy as one of America’s best-selling solo artists embedded “ng “Piano Man” into cultural memory.
A Hidden Affair and Its Fallout
In his early twenties, Joel moved in with his friend and bandmate, Jon Small, Small’s wife, Elizabeth Weber, and their child. A “slow build” of feelings led Joel to confess, “I’m in love with your wife,” igniting guilt and a violent fallout that ended Attila and fractured their friendship.
He later married Elizabeth in 1973, but the affair’s emotional toll haunted him. This betrayal triggered intense shame, homelessness, and depression, marking a critical turning point in his understanding of love, loyalty, and personal responsibility.
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Descent into Despair and Two Suicide Attempts
Overwhelmed by guilt, Joel “had no place to live” and sank into psychotic depression. He swallowed an ample supply of sleeping pills given by his sister Judy, falling into a coma for days. Upon waking, he admitted he still wanted to “end it all.”
Soon after, he drank lemon Pledge furniture polish, again landing in hospital care. Jon Small and Judy Molinari both saved his life. These dark moments highlight mental health challenges and underscore the importance of suicide prevention and emotional support.
Healing Through Music and Support
After his second attempt, Joel spent weeks in an observation ward where he realized he could channel pain into music rather than self-harm. He returned home and wrote songs that reflected his inner turmoil, transforming despair into art.
Friends and family—including his sister Judy and Jon Small—offered crucial care and forgiveness. Joel’s story illustrates how music therapy, strong support networks, and mental health awareness can guide individuals from rock bottom to recovery and creative renewal.
Documentary Premiere and Present Status
On June 4, 2025, Billy Joel: And So It Goes premiered at the Tribeca Festival, revealing these hidden chapters in his life. Joel, now 76, was absent due to a recent routine pressure hydrocephalus diagnosis that led him to cancel tour dates.
The two-part HBO documentary dives into his affair, suicide attempts, and the emotional recovery that shaped his songwriting. Viewers gain insight into his legacy of resilience, mental health advocacy, and the ongoing power of music to heal the human spirit.
Final Words:
Billy Joel’s journey from a Long Island child prodigy to global superstar includes heartbreak, deep despair, and a remarkable comeback. His willingness to share painful truths in And So It Goes serves as a beacon for anyone facing mental health struggles.
Through candid storytelling, powerful melodies, and the support of loved ones, Joel turned his darkest moments into creative fuel. His story underscores that vulnerability can lead to strength, art can be therapy, and with hope and help, even the heaviest guilt can be transformed into enduring harmony.
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