Rock legend Billy Joel has opened up about his struggles with suicidal thoughts, revealing that he attempted two suicides after a tumultuous affair with his bandmate’s wife.
The new documentary “Billy Joel: And So It Goes” premiered at the Tribeca Festival in New York City, revisiting Joel’s struggles with mental health. According to People, the film tells the story of Joel’s time in the band Attila with his best friend Jon Small, whom he eventually moved in with.
Joel has previously spoken about feeling guilty over the affair, which ended after a fight and the breakup of the band. He said he “felt very, very guilty” about being involved with someone else and later attempting to take his own life by drinking sleeping pills. His sister intervened, but Joel also made a second attempt, this time by ingesting cleaning fluid.
However, it was Small who saved Joel’s life during the second incident. Joel has credited seeking help for channeling his emotions into his music, which brought him success.
Years later, Joel and his former wife Elizabeth Weber reconnected and married from 1973 to 1982. She remains supportive of Joel’s recent decision to cancel tour dates due to a medical condition.
The documentary is set to air on HBO in July and provides a rare glimpse into Joel’s struggles with mental health and his journey towards recovery.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/06/entertainment/billy-joel-documentary-suicide-attempts