Billy Joel: And So It Goes - A Journey of Redemption and Resilience

Billy Joel: And So It Goes - A Journey of Redemption and Resilience

Billy Joel recently shared a personal story about a difficult time in his life. The first part of his new documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, premiered at the Tribeca Festival in New York City. In the documentary, Joel revealed that he had attempted suicide twice and fell into a coma after having an affair with his best friend's wife when he was in his early 20s. This affair led to the end of his band Attila and strained his friendship with his best friend.

Joel's relationship with his best friend's wife, Elizabeth, caused him a lot of guilt and pain. After the affair was discovered, Joel felt like a homewrecker and was devastated by the consequences. The fallout from the affair led to the end of his band and his friendship with his best friend. Joel found himself in a dark place, sleeping in laundromats and feeling depressed and psychotic. He attempted suicide by taking sleeping pills and later by drinking a harmful substance.

After his suicide attempts, Joel's sister, Judy Molinari, helped him get the medical attention he needed. He was in a coma for days but eventually woke up and realized the impact of his actions. Joel acknowledged his selfishness during that time and the pain he caused to those around him. Despite the challenges, Joel found a way to channel his emotions into his music and began to see a way forward.

The experience of being in the observation ward was a turning point for Joel. He realized that he could use his emotions to create music and express himself. This realization helped him move forward and find a new purpose in life. The documentary sheds light on Joel's struggles and how he overcame them to become the successful musician he is today.

Billy Joel: And So It Goes will be available on HBO in July. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, emotional distress, or substance use problems, help is available. You can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7 for support.