Billy Joel has distanced himself from the film Billy and Me, which dramatizes his early life leading up to his hit song “Piano Man.” The film is told through the eyes of his first manager, Irwin Mazur, who holds the rights to his own life story. Directed by John Ottman, known for his work on The Usual Suspects and Bohemian Rhapsody, the film has been in the works since 2021. According to Joel’s representatives, he has not given any support or permission for the project. They stressed that continuing without his backing would likely lead to legal issues.
Despite Joel’s disapproval, casting is in progress. Jon Small, Joel’s former drummer, is closely involved as a consultant and co-executive producer. He described the script as genuine, saying it captures the essence of Joel’s early years—the friendships, struggles, and humor that surrounded him.
Adam Ripp, the screenwriter and producer, insists that Billy and Me is based on Mazur and Small’s experiences, emphasizing they have the rights to tell their own stories. He argues that saying the project is “misguided” misrepresents its intentions and the legal rights behind its creation.
This situation echoes the controversy surrounding the 2020 film Stardust, based on David Bowie’s early career, which didn’t secure the rights to use his music. That film faced backlash from Bowie’s son, who clarified it was not a biopic but rather an “origins story.”
For music legends like Joel and Bowie, their life stories often attract attention. A recent survey found that 60% of fans prefer artist-approved biopics, showing that audience trust hinges on the creators’ connection to the subject. As the film world continues evolving, the tension between artistic expression and the rights of individuals remains pivotal in storytelling.
For more on legal rights in the film industry, check out this report from the Copyright Office.
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