A Complex Relationship with a Musical Legacy
Billy Joel, the iconic "Piano Man," has always been known for his powerful music and storytelling. But behind the scenes, his relationship with his father, Howard Joel, was anything but harmonious. The five-time Grammy winner recently opened up about the complicated bond he shared with his late father, a classical pianist who had very strict views on music.
Strict Standards and Unforgiving Consequences
Howard Joel was a firm believer in following the original compositions of classical pieces. This meant that any deviation from the written score was met with disapproval. Billy recalled an incident during his childhood when he attempted to put his own spin on Beethoven’s "Moonlight Sonata." Instead of playing it in its traditional somber tone, he chose to make it more upbeat and energetic, influenced by the rock & roll music of the time.
This creative choice did not sit well with his father. “He came down the stairs. Bam! I got whacked,” Billy remembered. The impact was so severe that he was knocked unconscious for a minute. “And I remember waking up going, 'Well, that got his attention.' And that was my memory of his piano lessons. So, he didn't teach me much.”
A Lack of Support and Understanding
Billy's sister, Judy Molinari, provided additional insight into their father's approach to music and parenting. She explained that Howard never showed much kindness or understanding towards Billy's musical talent. “He didn’t really see it. And with Howard, classical music, it had to be strict by the book. Exactly how, say, Beethoven wrote it.”
The tension between Howard and Billy was evident not only in their musical interactions but also in their family life. Billy mentioned that he never saw his parents having fun together during his childhood. “I saw stuff with them when I was a little kid that was not, not good. Things were very tense between them.”
A Divorce That Brought Relief
The couple eventually divorced in the 1950s, which Billy and his sister found somewhat relieving. “We were actually a little 'relieved' when our parents eventually got divorced... because then there wasn't gonna be any more arguments or fighting or any of that scary stuff moving forward.”
After the divorce, Howard moved back to Europe, and Billy never really had the chance to get to know him. Instead, he looked up to his maternal grandfather, Philip Nyman, who became the dominant male figure in his life. “He was the dominant male figure in my life. Brilliant man. He was a big influence on me.”
Reconnecting After Years Apart
Despite the distance, Billy would eventually reconnect with his father in his early 20s when he found Howard living in Vienna. Their relationship, though strained, eventually led to a moment of reconciliation. The two even shared the stage together during Billy’s 1995 concert in Nuremberg.
A New Documentary Explores the Past
The first installment of Billy Joel: And So It Goes, an HBO documentary exploring his life and career, is now available on HBO Max. The second episode is set to air on July 25. The documentary offers a deep dive into Billy's personal history, including his complex relationship with his father and the challenges he faced growing up.
Through this documentary, fans and viewers get a rare glimpse into the life of one of music's most beloved artists, shedding light on the influences and experiences that shaped his journey.