Billy Joel condemns upcoming biopic about his early life as legally and professionally misguided'

"At no point have we ever claimed to control or possess rights to Billy Joel's original songs, nor has this film ever been conceived around the use of his hit catalog, he said. The project was always designed as an intimate origin story focused on the people and relationships surrounding Billy during this specific period of his life. Ripp said the production holds the exclusive life rights for Mazur, as well as Billy's longtime friend and former bandmate Jon Small, who is attached to the film as a consultant, co-executive producer and second unit director."

An upcoming biopic titled Billy & Me is planned to tell Billy Joel’s early career through the eyes of his first manager, Irwin Mazur. Mazur discovered Joel in 1966, signed him in 1970, and oversaw his career until Joel signed with Columbia Records in 1972, after which Piano Man followed in 1973. Casting is underway and John Ottman is set to direct. Billy Joel has not authorized or supported the project and says the parties cannot secure the required life and music rights. The screenwriter says the film was not conceived to use Joel’s hit catalog and is intended as an intimate origin story focused on people and relationships, while claiming exclusive life rights for Mazur and Jon Small.

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