In the two-part HBO documentary Billy Joel, administrators Susan Lacy (“spielberg”) and Jessica Levin dig deep into the singer’s complex and infrequently turbulent life that impressed his songs, which turned him straight into rock.
Joel, a six-time Grammy winner and a rock corridor for celebrities, was initially not interested in making a 248-minute documentary. But in response to Lace, Joel's administration made him feel “this is the best time.” It seems that his staff is very suitable. Eventually, Joel lived in Madison SQ for 10 years. The backyard is over, and in May 2025, the 76-year-old singer was identified as a thinking dysfunction of a conventional strain of hydrocephalus.
No matter how reluctant he is to make a doctor, Joel will not draw inspiration from the dark elements of his private life and career in the film. His three failed marriages, cash mismanagement, and the singer’s previous plaid with alcohol are all mentioned in depth, which brings the series’ dress up recently released by shiny music documents.
Lacy and Levin weave a unified archival clip, efficient editing of Joel's live performance, and interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Pink, Nass and all the singer's wives to inform a boy on Long Island about the story that he never meant to be a rock star he grew up in.
While an important response to Joel’s popular success is detrimental, in the document, singer’s collaborators and friends clarified how the media often overlooked his music and unique expertise. Joel’s creativity is emphasized throughout the film when discussing his craft, which combines the equivalent of “Piano Man,” “Simple Means” and “We Didn’t Start a Various Hot Song of the Fireplace.”
Joel's estranged father, his single mother's melancholy and alcohol habits, the singer's Jewish grandparents are all part of a candid two-part documentary that may attract Joel's followers and non-fans.
choose Billy Joel, which premiered on HBO on Friday, talked about “Billy Joel” with Lacy and Levin.
How did this documentary come about?
Lace: I'm here at Playtone's request – Tom Hanks' company is here. I don't know Billy Joel is a lot. So, for me, this movie is about researching and discovering all these unimaginable questions.
Jessica, you've been making Susan's documentary for the last 25 years. Why are you determined to guide this with her?
Levine: The origin of this cause was with Susan, which was based primarily on her reputation as a very masterful artist. I used to be lucky that Susan noticed that my musical data was an asset in this clear film. Since we all know each other so effectively, we share the actual creative shorthand. This movie is the beast to deal with. I suggest that this is a huge and lengthy career, so since there are loads that can be determined, there are two people who can use two mindsets.
Did Joel make the film or did he have any say in the final lower range?
Lace: No. We become completely independent. Once I asked him for the first time if he had any sensitivity, he mentioned: “Tell the reality.” He gave up on the movie and didn't see it until he was finished.
Joel's Points revolve around the alcoholic Joel points. His ex-wife talked about it, but he didn't seem to want to elaborate on the subject. {that}} is the exquisite topic for him to discuss?
Lace: I might say alcohol is troublesome to talk to him. I don't think we pretended he had no alcohol shortcoming. He does have a drinking side. It's obvious that he does say he drinks a lot of people and he talks about recovery. He didn't want to recover, but he did. So it's a subtle topic, but I really feel like we've dealt with it as much as possible.
All four of Joel's wives appeared alongside Christie Brinkley, Katie Lee, and his first spouse and supervisor, Elizabeth Weber, who played a key role in Joel's becoming a star. Is there any trouble convincing your ex-wife to participate in the movie?
Lace: We know we want to interview all of these people, but the powerful one is Elizabeth. It took her 40 years to talk about Billy Joel – no mention of his identity. I suggest that her son spent the major 16 years of his life with Billy, and her girlfriend didn't even know that he had ever been associated with Billy Joel. This is their separation from that life. Therefore, it is not easy to get Elizabeth to participate. I need to actually work on this. I suggest her, I hope to tell her the story. I mentioned, “I believe your story has not been suggested yet. I believe you have been misrepresented on social media. I believe you are a huge part of Billy growing into Billy.”
A number of famous musicians like Pink and Bruce Springsteen discuss Joel and his musical influence through documentaries. Why is it crucial to reflect these interviews?
Lace: Bruce Springsteen is the person Billy has always compared to. Everyone comes from the working class, is a bridge and tunnel artist, but (Springsteen) all the time is extra consideration and more recognized by critics than Billy. So, there is anyone like Bruce Springsteen to solve this problem and say, “I believe they missed a lot of Billy's actual work because he doesn't match a particular mold”. Musicians know musicians, so they think Billy is doing. So, I think it is crucial to merge.
The film will gain political nature whenever you have a deadly white nationalist protest in Charlottesville, NY, in a 2017 live show in MSG in New York, in a live show in New York, in New York, in a live show in New York, in Charlottesville, Virginia, and Donald Trump’s controversial remarks after the incident. Is there any hesitation in the editor in the movie, which is a polarized decision?
Lace: The moment I noticed the scene where Billy strolls on stage sports, I knew we needed to bring this story into the movie. I do wonder if Billy notices the movie and says, “I don’t need to (Trump) attack me”, but Billy doesn’t say a word.
