All articles tagged with #billy joel
Billy Joel has not authorized or supported the film Billy and Me, a pre-Piano Man biopic directed by John Ottman and shaped in part by his former manager Irwin Mazur’s perspective; despite ongoing casting and Joel’s drummer Jon Small’s involvement as a consultant, his representatives say proceeding without consent would be legally and professionally misguided, with the project focusing on the Hassles era and early songs.
Billy Joel’s reps condemn the development of the biopic Billy & Me as legally and professionally misguided, noting it has no rights to his life or music. Directed by John Ottman and written by Adam Ripp, the project is pitched as an origin story focusing on Joel’s formative years and the people around him, but Joel has not authorized or supported it. Life rights are reportedly held for Mazur and Small, who are involved as consultants/co-producers, leaving the singer’s blessing unclear and his music catalog not part of the plan.
Rolling Stone reports Billy Joel’s representative has not authorized or supported the Billy & Me biopic. The film, directed by John Ottman and framed around Joel’s early life via his first manager Irwin Mazur, faces music-rights hurdles and will reportedly not use Joel’s songs as it unfolds before his breakthrough. Joel’s camp says moving forward without life rights would be legally and professionally misguided, while Mahur’s perspective and other rights holders are involved; production is slated for fall 2026 in Canada and New York.
Variety reports that Irwin Mazur’s and Jon Small’s life rights have been secured for the Billy & Me biopic, but Billy Joel’s life rights and music rights are not owned or authorized, and Joel has not endorsed the project. Production is planned for this fall in Winnipeg and New York, with Adam Ripp writing and John Ottman directing; the film will be told from Mazur and Small’s perspective. Joel’s reps say pursuing the project without his authorization would be legally and professionally misguided, while financing is being arranged by Jay Cohen and Mitchell Leib serves as executive music producer.
Billy Joel has warned against an upcoming film about his early years, saying the project lacks his life rights and music rights and would be legally and professionally misguided to proceed without his approval; the film centers on people around him, not Joel himself, with producers referencing life rights from his former manager and a former bandmate.
A Variety exclusive reports director John Ottman will helm Billy Joel’s early-life biopic Billy & Me, told through his first manager Irwin Mazur. Production is planned for fall in Winnipeg and New York, with Adam Ripp writing and Mazur’s life rights secured. Jon Small will consult; financing is being assembled by Jay Cohen, with Mitchell Leib as executive music producer. The film aims for a truthful, character-driven origin story, though Joel’s representatives haven’t commented and the portrayal of historical figures like Weber remains unclear.
An all-star night at Carnegie Hall celebrated Billy Joel with a Music Of tribute, as the star watched from the audience while his band served as the night’s house band; guests like Rufus Wainwright, Rob Thomas, Yola, Itzhak Perlman and Alexa Ray Joel performed Joel classics, Perlman joined on The Downeaster Alexa, Natalie Merchant sang Allentown, and the event raised over $2 million for music-education charities, underscoring his enduring legacy despite health challenges.
Alexa Ray Joel discusses Billy Joel’s health and possible touring return as he battles Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, and reveals she’ll perform at The Music of Billy Joel tribute at Carnegie Hall—a fundraiser organized by Michael Dorf with proceeds to music-education groups Belongó and Midori & Friends—while continuing her own music career and balancing her father’s legacy with her artistic independence.
Billy Joel says the Four Seasons were as important as the Beatles, a belief he shared when inducting the group into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; he admires their self-written material, harmonies, and East Coast flair, and credits their influence with shaping his own work, including his Uptown Girl tribute.
Billy Joel performed live for the first time since revealing his diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus, joining a tribute band in Wellington, Florida, to sing and play piano on two songs, marking a significant return after his health-related concert cancellations.
Billy Joel made a surprise performance in Florida after revealing he was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus, a brain condition affecting balance and other functions, and has been undergoing treatment and physical therapy.
Billy Joel made his first public appearance since his diagnosis of a brain disorder, performing two songs with a tribute band at an outdoor event in Florida, demonstrating his ongoing connection to music despite health challenges.
Billy Joel made a surprise appearance in Florida, performing for the first time since revealing in May 2025 that he has normal pressure hydrocephalus, a brain disorder affecting balance and cognition, after canceling previous concerts for treatment.
Billy Joel made a surprise return to the stage in Florida for the first time since revealing his diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus, performing two songs at a local celebration, signaling a possible step towards resuming his live performances despite health challenges.
Billy Joel made a surprise return to the stage in Florida for the first time since revealing his diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus, performing two songs with a cover band at a local celebration, signaling a possible step towards resuming his live performances despite ongoing health concerns.