The Piano Man narrates his remarkable life in the two-part HBO Max documentary “Billy Joel: And So It Goes.”
What fans might not expect is a love story, one that guided Joel to the top of the charts. The first of the two-part series follows Joel’s early years and an unexpected romance with his former bandmate’s bride.
What started as a typical rock star move – all swagger and shaky morals – became a bond that shaped music history.
Part One is a hefty two and a half hours long, a sign that “deep dive” barely describes the worshipful approach to the material. We revisit Joel’s early years, bopping from one cover band to the next until he found a measure of fame with The Hassles.
The rock star life suited his ambitions, and his prodigious skills were still mostly untapped. He even flirted with heavy metal infamy, but his love for Led Zeppelin outstripped his rock god chops.
By a country mile.
Along the way he fell for a fellow Hassles member’s wife, but it turns out Elizabeth Weber was far from your average groupie. The two fell deeply in love, navigating the early years of Joel’s career together.
No money. Little fame. One lousy record contract. But the future Piano Man refused to stop, and Weber stood by his side at every step.
“And So It Goes” starts in chronological order, and understandably so. But we learn nothing about Joel’s parents or how they influenced his budding talents. That comes later, in the form of a harrowing anecdote about his father’s cruelty.
Yes, there’s pain behind the pop superstar’s eyes, and more regrets than your average superstar. Correcting your mistakes is the key to life, Joel tells us in the documentary’s opening moments.
A measured and occasionally nostalgic Weber fills in plenty of blanks, as do fellow musicians like Bruce Springsteen, Pink, Jackson Brown and Nas. The hip-hop star offers the most cogent takes, showing how Joel’s artistry crosses musical genres.
The origin story behind the classic “Piano Man” track is worth the price of an HBO Max subscription, but “And So It Goes” overflows with stunning anecdotes. Directors Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin dissect some of Joel’s best-known songs, a satisfying process for fans and music lovers alike.
A few song vignettes are flat-out gorgeous, both visually and in their precise descriptions. Joel poured his life experiences into his songwriting, so disassembling key tracks offers a dual delight.
One of many highlights?
Try not to guffaw when a studio executive hears Joel’s 1977 album, “The Stranger,” and describes it as “nice” but lacking a true single.
- “Movin’ Out”
- “Just the Way You Are”
- “She’s Always a Woman”
- “Only the Good Die Young”
- “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant”
Yeah, not a hit in the bunch. Better luck next time.
“And So It Goes” can be exhausting. Some of the narrative detours aren’t worth pursuing, like managerial moves that will intrigue only Joel completists and business majors. The singer/songwriter comes off like a mensch, spending decades with loyal bandmates and flashing plenty of uncertainty.
Still, hearing him say how TV cameras make him uncomfortable suggests part of his aw, shucks exterior may be insincere. Few pop stars are as expressive and charismatic as Joel behind a microphone.
Some viewers will balk at Part 1’s length and recoil at the extensive portrait. After all, he’s a rock star, not a head of state.
Still, considering his cartoonishly deep songbook and music legacy, Joel deserves nothing less.
“Billy Joel: And So It Goes” airs at 8 p.m. ET July 18 on HBO Max. Part 2 will be shown at 8 p.m. ET July 25.