Billy Joel Mourns Loss of Early Bandmate Jon Small
Jon Small, the drummer and long-time bandmate of Billy Joel, has passed away. This news brings into focus the intricate and often dramatic personal history shared between the musician and Joel, a history that spans from the raw energy of Long Island rock clubs to some of the most painful chapters in Joel’s early life.
The details surrounding Small’s passing were announced by Joel in a tribute shared on social media, though specifics regarding his age and cause of death were not disclosed at the time. What emerges from this news is a reflection on a relationship that was both foundational to their musical careers and deeply fraught with emotional tension.
Before Billy Joel achieved superstar status, he and Small were integral parts of the scene, playing together in The Hassles, a Long Island band that released two albums in the late 1960s. Later, the duo formed Attila, a hard-rock pairing built around drums and the organ, releasing their self-titled album in 1970.
Their partnership eventually faced a seismic shift when Joel became involved with Small’s wife, Elizabeth Weber, while Joel was living with the couple. This episode remains a poignant, often revisited part of Joel’s personal narrative, explored candidly in the documentary And So It Goes, where both men reflected on the consequences of that time.
Small recounted the deep impact of this separation. In the documentary, he spoke about the painful reality of the situation, noting that Elizabeth was very important to him, but he felt he was not the person she hoped he would be. He reflected on how the dynamic changed when Joel eventually confessed his feelings for Elizabeth, revealing the depth of the emotional turmoil it caused for both men.
Joel, too, addressed the affair with honesty in the film, acknowledging his guilt and the intense emotional fallout. He spoke of feeling like a homewrecker and recounted the personal anguish the situation caused for Small. The affair ultimately led to the breakup of Attila and a temporary fracturing of the friendship between Joel and Small.
Despite the rupture, the relationship eventually found a path toward reconciliation. Small noted in the documentary that he eventually came to understand the pain Joel carried from hurting him, reflecting on the intensity of their bond. He admitted that Joel’s love for him was so profound that the act of hurting him felt devastating.
Following this period, Small continued to contribute to Joel’s world, working behind the camera on several of Joel’s concert films, including Live From Long Island and Live at Shea Stadium. He also directed Joel’s “Baby Grand” video and went on to direct music videos for artists including Reba McEntire, Enrique Iglesias, and Brooks & Dunn, leaving an indelible mark on the visual history of the singer-songwriter.
Small’s passing comes as And So It Goes traces the trajectory of Joel’s life, examining his rise from his early musical endeavors through the career that established him as one of the most successful recording artists of his generation.
Billy Joel’s musical legacy is vast, boasting 43 entries on the Billboard Hot 100, including 13 top 10 hits and three No. 1 placements, such as “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me,” “Tell Her About It,” and “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” His enduring impact was further cemented by his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.
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