• Billy Joel reveals he attempted suicide twice after an affair with his best friend’s wife, which deeply affected his life.
• His close friend Jon Small saved him during one of the attempts despite their broken friendship.
• Joel turned his pain into music after checking himself into an observation ward, leading to his creative comeback.

Billy Joel, the legendary singer known for hits like “Vienna” and “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” recently opened up about a very dark time in his life. In his new documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, he shares that he attempted suicide twice. These attempts happened after he had an affair with his best friend’s wife, Elizabeth Weber. This revelation shows how deeply troubled Joel felt during that period. After the suicide attempts, Joel checked himself into an observation ward. He then found a way to turn his pain into powerful music. His story is both heartbreaking and inspiring.

The Affair That Shattered Friendship and Band

In the early 1970s, Joel was part of a band called Attila. His best friend Jon Small was also in the band. Joel even lived with Jon, Jon’s wife Elizabeth, and their son. Over time, Joel fell in love with Elizabeth. She said their relationship grew slowly. Eventually, Joel confessed to Jon that he was in love with Elizabeth. This confession shocked everyone. Joel felt extreme guilt. He said, “I was just in love with a woman and I got punched in the nose which I deserved.” Jon felt deeply betrayed and angry. Their friendship ended, and so did the band. Elizabeth left, and Joel began drinking heavily. This marked the start of a painful downward spiral for Joel.

Losing Home and Hope, Joel Fell into Despair

After the affair, Joel had nowhere to live. He ended up sleeping in laundromats. His mind grew darker and darker. He described feeling so depressed that he almost lost touch with reality. Joel said he felt trapped in a cycle of pain. He thought, “Why hang out, tomorrow is going to be just like today is and today sucks.” In his words, he decided he “just wanted to end it all.” Joel’s sorrow consumed him. This deep sadness pushed him to make dangerous decisions that almost cost him his life.

First Suicide Attempt Sends Joel into a Coma

Joel’s sister, Judy Molinari, worked as a medical assistant. She gave Joel sleeping pills to help him sleep better during this troubled time. However, Joel decided to take all the pills at once. This overdose sent him into a coma for several days. Judy remembers visiting him in the hospital. She said, “He was laying there white as a sheet. I thought that I’d killed him.” Joel admitted that he acted selfishly back then. Even when he woke up in the hospital, he still wanted to try again. He told himself he wanted to “do it right” the next time. His pain was so intense, he couldn’t see any other way out.

Second Attempt Nearly Ends His Life, Friend Saves Him

Joel’s second suicide attempt involved drinking lemon-scented furniture polish called lemon Pledge. Despite the broken friendship, Jon Small rushed Joel to the hospital once more. Joel said, “Even though our friendship was blowing up, Jon saved my life.” Jon later explained why he believed Joel took such a hard fall. He said, “He loved me that much and it killed him to hurt me that much.” Jon eventually forgave Joel. This act of forgiveness helped Joel start to heal. Jon’s support proved crucial during one of the darkest moments in Joel’s life.

Checking Into an Observation Ward Changed Everything

After his suicide attempts, Joel felt like a lost soul. He made the decision to check himself into an observation ward. This choice marked a turning point for him. Joel spent a few weeks there and then left with a new mindset. He said, “I got out of the observation ward and I thought to myself, you can utilize all those emotions to channel that stuff into music.” From that moment, Joel began to focus on his art. He used his pain and emotions as fuel for his songwriting. This creative outlet helped him rise from despair and gave him a new purpose.

Later Reconnection and Marriage with Elizabeth Weber

Years after the painful affair and the crisis it caused, Joel and Elizabeth reconnected. They eventually got married in 1973. Their marriage lasted until 1982. Despite the rocky start and the pain, their relationship lasted almost a decade. This shows how complicated human relationships can be. Joel’s story is not just about heartbreak but also about forgiveness and second chances.

Documentary Premieres and Public Reaction

The first part of Billy Joel: And So It Goes premiered on June 4 at the Tribeca Festival in New York City. Joel, now 76, was not at the premiere, but the film shared his story in his own words. The documentary reveals his struggles and how he overcame them. It will air on HBO in July. Fans and viewers will get to see a side of Billy Joel that few knew. His journey from deep pain to creative success inspires many.

Billy Joel’s story reminds us that even successful people face tough battles. His openness helps others who might feel hopeless. He shows that pain can lead to healing and creativity. Through forgiveness, friendship, and music, Joel found a way to keep going.