“Billy Joel has neither approved nor backed this project in any way, and proceeding without his involvement would be a serious legal and professional mistake.” Billy Joel is not supporting the proposed biopic Billy & Me.
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Billy & Me is not receiving support from Billy Joel.
A new biopic centered on Billy Joel has officially been announced, though the legendary musician is not involved with or endorsing the project in any form.
According to Variety, Billy & Me will explore Joel’s early years before fame through the perspective of his first manager, Irwin Mazur, who discovered him in 1966, signed him in 1970, and later helped secure his deal with Columbia Records in 1972.
The film will be directed by John Ottman, who previously won an Oscar for editing Bohemian Rhapsody. However, unlike that Queen film, this production will reportedly move forward without access to Joel’s music catalog.
A representative for Joel stated that the people behind the movie have known since 2021 that they do not own the artist’s life rights or the music rights necessary for the project. The statement also emphasized that Joel has neither approved nor supported the film and warned that continuing without authorization would be both legally and professionally questionable.
The biopic may also revisit Joel’s time in Attila, the heavy psych-rock duo he formed in 1969 with drummer Jon Small. Small is attached to the movie as a consultant, co-executive producer, and second unit director.
Inspired by bands such as Led Zeppelin, Iron Butterfly, and Blue Cheer, Attila attempted a guitar-free heavy rock sound, with Joel blasting his Hammond organ through massive amplifiers.
Reflecting on the band years later, Joel recalled wanting to create an overwhelmingly loud and powerful sound. He joked that audiences could barely stay inside venues during their performances because of the volume.
Despite Joel’s lack of involvement, Small praised the upcoming film, describing it as an honest and heartfelt portrayal of the singer’s formative years. Having known Joel since he was 16, Small said the screenplay captures not only the music, but also the friendships, struggles, humor, and creativity that shaped his rise before global fame.