Billy Joel announces death of collaborator Jon Small
A Legacy of Rhythm and Resilience: Remembering Jon Small
The music world is mourning the loss of a figure whose creative vision helped define an era: Jon Small, accomplished music video director and drummer who played a foundational role in the history of Billy Joel’s early bands, the Hassles and Atilla.
Small announced his passing recently, sharing a brief farewell on social media. While the cause of his death was not immediately disclosed, the world is left reflecting on a life that balanced creative genius with deeply complex personal drama.
The foundation of Small and Joel’s professional partnership was laid in the 1960s when they first teamed up as members of the Hassles. Their musical journey soon evolved, leading to the formation of the hard rock duo Attila, whose only self-titled album released in 1970 captured a specific, explosive energy.
However, the story of Small’s life extends far beyond the studio and the stage. It is interwoven with the intensely personal history of his relationship with Billy Joel and his wife, Elizabeth Weber. This dynamic relationship, which played out during their years of collaboration, became a focal point of much later reflection.
The intensity of this personal entanglement brought profound emotional weight. In a retrospective look at their relationship, it is clear that the complexity of their lives touched them deeply. As documented in various accounts, Joel grappled with immense guilt over the affair, and the emotional fallout caused him to experience a severe mental health crisis.
In one of the most harrowing chapters of Joel’s life, the guilt over betraying Small led to a devastating attempt at suicide. Small, demonstrating the enduring strength of their friendship, stepped in to rescue Joel, driving him to the hospital. This shared ordeal became an indelible part of their history, shaping the resilience that defined their later path.
Despite the turmoil, the relationship eventually found a path toward reconciliation. Years later, Billy Joel and Elizabeth Weber were married, and Small and Joel eventually found a way to heal their rift, continuing their musical collaboration on projects like Uptown Girl and Tell Her About It.
Beyond the music, Small’s influence on visual storytelling remains profound. As one of the pioneers who helped define the format of the MTV era, he left an indelible mark on popular music through his work as a director and producer. He worked alongside major artists including Whitney Houston, Aerosmith, and Run-DMC, demonstrating a talent that reached far beyond the confines of the music industry.
Jon Small’s legacy is therefore a powerful blend of musical innovation, artistic direction, and deep personal endurance. His story is a testament to the fact that the most compelling narratives often lie in the complex intersection of creative ambition and human experience.
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