Billy Joel Reveals Addiction Impact on Marital Troubles, Career Regrets

In his new HBO documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes, Billy Joel candidly discusses his struggles with addiction, which contributed to the end of his marriage to Katie Lee and led to his admission to the Betty Ford Center. Joel also reveals the pain caused when longtime friend Elton John publicly questioned the sincerity of his recovery, creating tension between them. The documentary touches on Joel's early musical career, including a brief stint co-founding a heavy metal band, Attila, inspired by Led Zeppelin, before he found success as a singer-songwriter. Joel also breaks his silence on political issues, expressing anger over President Donald Trump's 2017 comments about white supremacists and wearing a Star of David onstage in protest. Additionally, Joel shares a significant career regret—turning down an offer to work with legendary Beatles producer George Martin because Martin insisted on replacing Joel's touring band, which Joel felt was integral to his sound. Despite these challenges, Joel has made substantial personal progress, including giving up alcohol as of 2023.