Billy Joel has made shocking revelations about his past in the new documentary ‘Billy Joel: And So It Goes.’ He confessed to an affair with his bandmate’s wife during his early career, as reported by People.
Joel opens up about a relationship he had with the wife of Jon Small, his bandmate from the group Attila in his twenties. The confession reveals the guilt and consequences that followed this affair.
“I felt very, very guilty about it,” Joel revealed. “They had a child. I felt like a home wrecker. I was just in love with a woman and I got punched in the nose which I deserved. Jon was very upset. I was very upset.”
The affair had devastating consequences for Joel’s mental health and living situation. It led him to a dark period in his life.
“I had no place to live,” he continued. “I was sleeping in laundromats and I was depressed I think to the point of almost being psychotic. So I figured, ‘That’s it. I don’t want to live anymore.’ I was just in a lot of pain and it was sort of like, ‘Why hang out? Tomorrow is going to be just like today is and today sucks.’ So, I just thought I’d end it all.”
This painful chapter in Joel’s life occurred during his time with Attila. The band would become a significant part of his musical journey before his solo career took off.
Wikipedia reported that Attila was formed in 1969 after Joel left his previous band The Hassles. The heavy metal duo consisted of Joel on keyboards and vocals alongside drummer Jon Small, the same bandmate whose wife became the center of this personal turmoil.
The band was known for its intense sound and performances. Louder Sound noted that Joel described Attila as a “heavy band” that aimed to “destroy the world with amplification.” Their music was so loud and intense that it would drive people out of clubs during their performances.
The personal drama that unfolded between Joel and Small eventually healed. Their professional relationship recovered. Soap Central revealed that Small later went on to produce several of Joel’s projects, including the 1987 concert video and the 2011 Live at Shea Stadium performance.
The documentary provides an intimate look into one of the most difficult periods of the legendary musician’s early life. It shows how personal struggles during his Attila days shaped his later career and relationships.
