Billy Joel Slams Upcoming Biopic 'Billy & Me' as Legally Misguided
Billy Joel Slams Upcoming Biopic 'Billy & Me' as Legally Misguided
The Piano Man isn't playing along! Billy Joel denounces the unauthorized biopic 'Billy & Me,' claiming it lacks the necessary rights to his music and life story.
Billy Joel is making it very clear that he wants no part of the upcoming biopic titled Billy & Me. The film, directed by John Ottman, aims to chronicle the legendary singer's early years, but Joel’s representatives have officially labeled the project as legally and professionally misguided. According to his team, Joel has not authorized or supported the film in any capacity, and the production has been notified since 2021 that they do not possess his life or music rights.
The movie is set to focus on the period between 1966 and 1970, told through the eyes of Joel’s first manager, Irwin Mazur. Mazur was instrumental in the singer's early career before he hit global stardom with Piano Man in 1973. Despite the lack of Joel’s blessing, director John Ottman argues that the film is a legitimate exploration of Mazur’s own experiences. He maintains that because the story focuses on Joel’s formative years—when he was performing covers with the band The Hassles—they don't actually need Joel's original music rights to tell the story.
However, the friction between the production team and the music icon creates a significant hurdle. While the filmmakers have secured the life rights of Mazur and other associates like drummer Jon Small, Joel's camp remains firm that moving forward without the star's consent is a mistake. As of now, the project is still in development, but it faces the daunting challenge of portraying one of music's biggest stars while the man himself remains its most vocal critic.
