Singer Billy Joel openly disclosed feelings of wanting to take his own life due to deep-seated guilt.
In an emotional revelation, renowned musician Billy Joel opened up about a turbulent phase in his life during the premiere of the new documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, at the Tribeca Film Festival.
The documentary dives deep into Joel's past, exploring a time fraught with personal anguish and two attempted suicides. The root of this turmoil stemmed from an affair with Elizabeth Weber, the wife of his bandmate Jon Small.
Reminiscing about this period, Joel admitted, "I was in love with a woman, and I got punched in the nose - which I deserved." This admitted betrayal led to intense guilt since the Smalls had a child, making Joel feel like a "homewrecker."
The affair led to the dissolution of the band Attila and the end of Joel's friendship with Small, further deepening his emotional distress. Joel found himself without a home, sleeping in laundromats, as his life crumbled around him.
In the documentary, Joel shares that he felt "almost psychotic" and "in a lot of pain." He was on the verge of a breakdown, his mind spinning in a cycle of guilt and despair. His first suicide attempt involved taking a large number of sleeping pills provided by his sister, plunging him into a coma for several days.
Upon waking, Joel was overcome with the urge to attempt suicide again, reflecting the depth of his despair and ongoing struggle with guilt and depression.
Today, Billy Joel continues to face health challenges, including a rare brain disorder that has necessitated the cancellation of his tour and shows. Despite his struggles, he offers a candid look at his past in the documentary, shedding light on the complexities of his emotional journey and the aftermath of his actions.
Sources:[1] People Magazine[2] The Guardian[3] Variety
- Amidst his struggles with mental health and guilt, Billy Joel, both a music legend and health-and-wellness advocate, admitted in the documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes that he felt "almost psychotic" and "in a lot of pain," stemming from a complex love affair that affected not only his personal life but also his career in science, leading to the dissolution of his band Attila.
- Despite facing ongoing health issues, including a rare brain disorder that has necessitated the cancellation of his tour and shows, Billy Joel remains committed to raising awareness about mental health, drawing from his own experiences to channel his music into a therapeutic instrument for healing and self-discovery.
