Remembering Jon Small: A Musical Journey with Billy Joel

Jon Small, a former bandmate of Billy Joel and his longtime collaborator, passed away on Friday. Billy Joel paid tribute to him on Instagram, simply writing, "RIP Jon Small." Jon and Billy's musical journey began in the 1960s when they played together in The Hassles and later formed the hard-rock duo Attila. Despite a tumultuous history that involved a love triangle with Jon's wife, Elizabeth Weber, the two reconciled and worked together on various music projects. Jon went on to have a successful career as a music video and concert director, collaborating with artists like Run-DMC, Aerosmith, Garth Brooks, and Reba McEntire. Their complex relationship was explored in the 2025 HBO documentary "Billy Joel: And So It Goes," where Billy Joel acknowledged the past conflicts. Jon and Billy's story is a testament to their enduring bond and shared musical legacy. Rest in peace, Jon Small.