Billy Joel’s Suicide Attempts and Coma: A Dark Past Revealed

The name Billy Joel conjures images of soulful piano melodies and timeless hits like "Piano Man." But behind the music lies a story of profound pain, betrayal, and redemption. In his new documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, the legendary singer unveils a dark chapter from his early 20s—a time when love, guilt, and despair pushed him to the edge of life itself.

A Forbidden Love That Shattered Bonds

In the late 1960s, a young Billy Joel was chasing dreams with his band, Attila. Living with his bandmate Jon Small, his wife Elizabeth Weber, and their son, Joel found himself drawn to Elizabeth in a way that would change everything. What began as stolen glances grew into a secret affair, a slow-burning connection that tore apart friendships and left Joel drowning in guilt.

When the truth surfaced, the fallout was devastating. “I felt like a homewrecker,” Joel confesses in the documentary, his voice heavy with regret. The affair ended Attila and severed his bond with Small, leaving Joel alone, lost, and spiraling into darkness.

A Desperate Act and Days in a Coma

Reeling from the betrayal, Joel’s world crumbled. He was homeless, sleeping in laundromats, and battling a depression so deep it felt like a bottomless void. “Tomorrow is going to be just like today, and today sucks,” he recalls thinking, his words raw with anguish. In a moment of despair, he swallowed a handful of sleeping pills provided by his sister, Judy Molinari, a medical assistant trying to help him rest.

The act sent Joel into a coma that lasted days. Judy, haunted by guilt, remembers visiting him in the hospital, where he lay “white as a sheet.” She feared she’d lost her brother forever, her heart breaking at the sight of his lifeless form.

A Second Attempt and a Friend’s Salvation

Shockingly, Joel’s pain didn’t end there. After waking from the coma, he was still gripped by self-loathing. Determined to “do it right,” he drank a bottle of lemon Pledge in a second suicide attempt. Yet, in a twist of fate, it was Jon Small—the friend he betrayed—who rushed him to the hospital, saving his life. “Even though our friendship was blowing up, Jon saved me,” Joel reflects, his gratitude tinged with sorrow.

Small’s forgiveness, though hard-won, became a turning point. “He loved me so much it killed him to hurt me,” Small says, offering a glimpse into the complex bond they shared.

Channeling Pain into Musical Triumph

From the ashes of his despair, Joel found salvation in music. Checking himself into an observation ward, he began to confront his emotions. “I thought to myself, you can utilize all those emotions to channel that stuff into music,” he says. This epiphany birthed his first solo album, Cold Spring Harbor, a raw outpouring of his struggles.

Remarkably, the affair with Elizabeth wasn’t the end of their story. They reconnected, marrying in 1973, with Elizabeth becoming his manager and championing hits like “Just the Way You Are.” Though their marriage ended in 1982, Joel’s music became his lifeline, transforming pain into art that resonates with millions.

Summary: A Story of Resilience and Redemption

Billy Joel’s journey through betrayal, suicide attempts, and a coma is a stark reminder that even icons face unimaginable struggles. His story isn’t just about surviving—it’s about finding purpose through creativity. From the depths of despair, Joel crafted a legacy that continues to inspire, proving that even the darkest moments can lead to light.

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