Considered one of my first and most cherished music recollections is using within the backseat of my dad’s automotive when he first picked up Billy Joel’s “River of Goals” again in 1993. After listening to the title observe (and watching its unbelievable music video) a number of instances, I used to be hooked on the “Piano Man,” and I by no means seemed again. I personal all his data, have seen him in live performance a number of instances, and have raised my children on his music. Nonetheless, till watching Billy Joel: And So It Goes after the brand new documentary hit the 2025 TV schedule, I solely knew a part of the story.
See, watching the five-hour HBO documentary about Joel’s hits and misses, ups and downs, and the tales behind his most iconic tracks, I discovered that one particular person specifically performed a significant position within the entertainer turning into one of many largest pop stars of all time: his ex-wife and supervisor, Elizabeth Weber. I simply have to provide this girl her flowers…
Elizabeth Weber Was Married To Billy Joel Throughout The Very Starting Of His Profession
Although I used to be conscious that Billy Joel had been married and divorced and remarried a number of instances, I wasn’t all too conversant in what sort of influence his first spouse, Elizabeth Weber, had on his life and profession till watching And So It Goes. Weber was initially married to Joel’s bandmate, John Small, however the relationship deteriorated as a consequence of Joel professing his love for his finest pal’s lady. A while later, Joel and Weber acquired collectively and married, with the latter approaching as his enterprise supervisor as nicely.
As detailed within the documentary, Weber helped Joel navigate the murky and shark-infested waters of the recording business within the early days, stood by his aspect when file corporations took benefit of him, and was there as he turned one of many largest stars on the planet. Nonetheless, she was no passive partner using the wave of success. As an alternative, she was the captain of the ship, pushing ahead to the promised land.
Her Position In Making ‘Simply The Approach You Are’ A Single (And Altering Billy Joel’s Profession In The Course of) Should not Be Missed
I might sit right here all day and discuss all the nice and insightful moments in Billy Joel: And So It Goes, however I don’t suppose anybody apart from my dad or different diehard followers would get a lot out of that. As an alternative, I want to speak in regards to the scene about midway by way of the primary episode when Joel’s 1977 breakthrough album, The Stranger, turns into the subject of dialog, particularly how Elizabeth Weber fought Columbia Data executives on the album’s promotion and selection of singles.
There was a pre-release listening social gathering the place an government mentioned there have been no singles on the album, which Weber rebuffed by making a deal: the exec might choose the primary single – “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Track)” – if she might select the second – “Simply the Approach You Are.” Not solely was the only a hit (greater than 1 million copies bought and two Grammys), however the album turned an enormous hit, and Joel was remodeled into an enormous star, promoting out Madison Sq. Backyard and flying in personal jets as an alternative of displaying up in small theaters in an previous bus.
Right away, the couple’s lives had been modified, with Joel turning into a family title and Weber incomes a popularity for being a tough-as-nails businesswoman who wasn’t keen to again down from a struggle.
A number of Of Billy Joel’s Greatest Songs Are About Weber In Some Approach
I don’t know the way a lot of this may find yourself within the long-planned Billy Joel biopic, however the “Captain Jack” singer’s relationship with Elizabeth Weber led to a few of his finest songs, from The Stranger and others. “Simply the Approach You Are” was famously written for Weber’s birthday earlier than ending up on the 1977 album, the place it joined one other all-time nice observe, “She’s At all times a Girl,” a track that didn’t maintain again with the great, the dangerous, and the ugly of relationships.
Joel, who would go on to write down tracks impressed by his later relationships (“Uptown Woman” was in honor of his relationship with Christie Brinkley), additionally wrote an extremely romantic track for Weber lengthy earlier than they had been collectively. “She’s Bought a Approach,” which is featured on 1973’s Piano Man, was written about Weber when she and Joel weren’t seeing one another and he was lacking her dearly.
Listening to These Tales Utterly Has Modified The Approach I See Joel’s Music
Like I mentioned earlier, Billy Joel’s music has been a significant a part of my life for nicely over 30 years now, and his songs stay a few of my favourite of all time (“Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” remains to be my go-to karaoke track). Nonetheless, after watching And So it Goes, I really feel like I solely had a part of the story all of these years, and the best way I see his music has fully modified after listening to these tales and others shared all through the documentary.
It’s not like I didn’t love the songs earlier than; it’s simply that I really feel like I’ve a greater understanding after studying the context, or at the least the inspirations of those iconic tracks which were part of actually each stage of my life since 1993 (most likely sooner, realizing my dad).
I am Not Going To Lie, Weber Ought to Have Gotten Her Due Lengthy Earlier than Billy Joel: And So It Goes Got here Out
After watching Billy Joel: And So It Goes, I believe that Elizabeth Weber ought to have gotten her due lengthy earlier than the documentary got here out, and talked about all the things from Joel’s largest albums to how the 2012 Live performance for Sandy Aid helped him discover the enjoyment in music once more.
I’m actually fairly stunned Weber’s story and contributions to American music haven’t been talked about in such nice element up to now, as a result of it’s laborious to think about The Stranger turning into an enormous success with out her hand. And with the best way the album modified Joel’s profession, you could possibly argue that he wouldn’t have been as profitable with out her guiding hand.
You possibly can watch Billy Joel: And So It Goes streaming with an HBO Max subscription should you haven’t already. Even should you aren’t a giant fan of songs like “We Didn’t Begin the Hearth,” “Allentown,” or “Solely the Good Die Younger,” it’s nicely well worth the watch.