Unauthorised Billy Joel biopic Billy & Me explores his early rise to fame
A new biopic about Billy Joel, titled Billy & Me, has been announced. The film will focus on the singer’s early career, leading up to his breakthrough album Piano Man. However, Joel himself has not endorsed the project and remains uninvolved. The movie will follow Joel’s rise to fame, starting with his discovery by manager Irwin Mazur in 1966. It will cover his signing in 1970 and the years that shaped his music before Piano Man launched him to stardom. The story unfolds from Mazur’s perspective, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the artist’s formative years.
The film also explores Joel’s relationship with Elizabeth Weber and its impact on her ex-husband, Jon Small, and their band Attila. Producers have secured life rights from Mazur and Small, ensuring their personal accounts are included. However, the portrayal of Weber remains uncertain, as her involvement has not been confirmed.
John Ottman, known for his work on the recent Michael Jackson biopic, will direct Billy & Me. Despite the high-profile team, Joel has not authorised the project or given his support. With exclusive rights from key figures like Mazur and Small, the film aims to provide an intimate look at Joel’s early career. Yet, without the singer’s approval, its reception remains uncertain. The biopic is set to move forward under Ottman’s direction, regardless of Joel’s stance.
