The Affair That Led to a Deep Personal and Professional Collapse
Billy Joel’s affair with Elizabeth Weber, the wife of his friend and Attila bandmate Jon Small, had devastating consequences that deeply affected both his personal and professional life. At the time, Joel was living with Jon and Elizabeth, which made the situation more complicated. Their romance developed gradually, and eventually, Joel confessed his feelings to Small.
This confession shattered their friendship and abruptly ended their musical collaboration in Attila. “I was just in love with a woman,” Joel said, “and I got punched in the nose, which I deserved.” The guilt overwhelmed him, especially since Weber and Small had a child. Billy Joel suicide attempts stemmed largely from this period of guilt and emotional isolation, making it one of the most pivotal moments in his life.
Also Read : Denzel Washington Joins Black Panther 3 in a Role Tailor-Made by Director Ryan Coogler
Homelessness, Despair, and the First Attempt to End It All
Following the affair and the collapse of Attila, Joel found himself without a place to live. He began sleeping in laundromats, drinking heavily, and sinking into a deep depression. The once-promising musician was overwhelmed with emotional pain. He felt that each day was filled with emptiness, and tomorrow offered no improvement.
“I was just in a lot of pain,” he admitted. “It was sort of like, why hang out? Tomorrow is going to be just like today, and today sucks.” This dark mindset pushed him toward the first of the well-documented Billy Joel suicide attempts. He took a bottle of sleeping pills given to him by his sister, Judy Molinari, who had no idea he would use them that way. Judy later recalled finding him in the hospital, pale and unconscious, believing she had unknowingly contributed to his death.
Another Suicide Attempt and an Unexpected Act of Compassion from a Former Friend
Although Joel survived the first suicide attempt, his emotional health didn’t improve right away. He made a second attempt by drinking an entire bottle of lemon-scented furniture polish, mistakenly believing it would be a “kinder” way to go. Despite their shattered relationship, Jon Small stepped in once again. Small rushed Joel to the hospital, saving his life for a second time.
Joel later acknowledged that Small’s act of kindness likely saved him. “Even though our friendship was blowing up, Jon saved my life,” Joel said. This act of unexpected compassion added a profound emotional layer to their story, illustrating the complexity of friendship, betrayal, and forgiveness.
Seeking Psychiatric Help and the Beginning of His Healing Journey
After the second failed suicide attempt, Joel made the life-changing decision to seek psychiatric help. He checked himself into a mental health facility for observation and began to understand the depth of his emotional wounds. This marked the turning point in his journey, one that transformed his perspective on life and helped him begin healing from the trauma.
During this time, music played a crucial role in his recovery. Songwriting became a therapeutic outlet for him, allowing him to process emotions that were too difficult to verbalize. The emotional clarity gained during this period shaped many of the lyrics in his future songs, including deeply personal tracks like “Honesty” and “Vienna.” The Billy Joel suicide attempts might have ended his story, but instead, they became the painful starting point of a long road toward emotional recovery.
Reuniting with Elizabeth Weber and Navigating a Complicated Relationship
Years after the emotional fallout and his recovery, Joel reconnected with Elizabeth Weber. The two eventually married in 1973, and she became his manager, guiding many of his early career decisions. However, the relationship that once sparked so much turmoil continued to face difficulties. The couple divorced in 1982, ending a chapter filled with love, betrayal, and business entanglements.
Despite their tumultuous history, Weber remained a significant figure in Joel’s life. Her presence is felt throughout the documentary, as she offers her perspective on their relationship and how it evolved over time. The emotional scars from their past didn’t disappear, but Joel used them as fuel for artistic growth and emotional resilience.
How Music, Therapy, and Time Helped Joel Rebuild His Life and Career
What followed those difficult years was a transformation fueled by therapy, personal growth, and Joel’s deepening relationship with music. He emerged from the experience more self-aware, determined to live a life driven by purpose. With hits like “The Stranger,” “Piano Man,” and “Uptown Girl,” Joel built a legacy that goes far beyond his darkest moments.
The documentary makes it clear that while the Billy Joel suicide attempts were life-altering, they also served as a sobering wake-up call. They forced him to confront his inner demons and seek a path to better mental health. Joel’s willingness to share his most painful memories in And So It Goes helps de-stigmatize mental health struggles, especially for men in the music industry.
A Candid Look at Resilience, Forgiveness, and the Healing Power of Storytelling
The documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes is more than a biographical recap; it’s an unfiltered look into the emotional depths of one of music’s most iconic figures. Joel’s decision to speak openly about the Billy Joel suicide attempts shows his dedication to authenticity and emotional truth.
His story is not only a tale of fame and music but one of heartbreak, survival, and redemption. For fans and newcomers alike, Joel’s journey offers a raw, human perspective on the cost of fame, the impact of emotional trauma, and the healing power of art and storytelling.
