Remembering Jon Small
Jon Small, Billy Joel's Early Bandmate and Acclaimed Director, Dies at 70s
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Key Points
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After the affair with Elizabeth Weber, Joel attempted suicide by drinking furniture polish; Small discovered him, rushed him to a hospital and saved his life. Joel later said in the 2025 HBO documentary that he deserved the punch in the nose Small gave him.
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Following their reconciliation, Small directed and produced nearly all of Joel’s major music videos and three concert specials between 1982 and 2011, including “Live From Long Island,” “Live at Yankee Stadium” and “Live at Shea Stadium.”
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Small’s partnership with Garth Brooks included directing videos such as “Standing Outside the Fire” and “The Red Strokes,” as well as producing the 1997 “Garth: Live From Central Park” concert, which attracted nearly one million attendees.
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Small directed Aerosmith and Run-DMC’s influential 1986 crossover video for “Walk This Way,” in addition to producing or directing projects for artists including Kenny Rogers, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson and Van Morrison.
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Small’s turbulent history with Joel was revisited in the two-part 2025 HBO documentary “Billy Joel: And So It Goes,” in which Joel described feeling guilty about the affair and called himself a “homewrecker.”
Jon Small, the drummer and director who shaped Billy Joel's career and helped save his life, has died at 79. Newsday reported that Small passed away from cancer. Small first played with Joel in the 1960s rock band The Hassles, then formed the hard-rock duo Attila before their friendship fractured over Joel's affair with Small's then-wife, Elizabeth Weber.
After their reconciliation, Small directed nearly all of Joel's major music videos and concert specials from 1982 to 2011, including films shot at Yankee Stadium and Shea Stadium. Billy Joel Mourns Death of Former Bandmate Jon Small reported that Small also produced iconic projects for Garth Brooks, Aerosmith, Run-DMC, Whitney Houston and other major artists. Joel paid tribute with a brief "RIP Jon Small" message.
How Joel's Affair Nearly Destroyed Their Bond
Joel's infidelity with Small's wife created a crisis that tested their friendship deeply. Joel attempted suicide by drinking furniture polish after the affair became known. Small discovered Joel in time, rushed him to the hospital and saved his life. In the 2025 HBO documentary "Billy Joel: And So It Goes," Joel acknowledged deserving the punch Small gave him in response.
From Band Member to Music Video Pioneer
After leaving performance, Small became one of rock music's most prolific directors and producers. Between 1982 and 2011, he directed and produced nearly every major Billy Joel music video and three concert specials. His work for Joel included "Live From Long Island," "Live at Yankee Stadium" and "Live at Shea Stadium," establishing the template for how rock concerts could be filmed and broadcast.
Small's influence extended far beyond Joel. He directed Aerosmith and Run-DMC's landmark 1986 "Walk This Way" video, which bridged rock and hip-hop. He produced Garth Brooks' 1997 "Garth: Live From Central Park" concert, which drew nearly one million attendees. Small also worked with Kenny Rogers, Janet Jackson, Van Morrison and Reba McEntire, shaping the visual language of music videos across multiple genres.
A Long Island Legacy Recognized Late in Life
Small was recently inducted into the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame as a member of The Hassles, receiving recognition for his decades of contributions to rock and popular music. Friends and colleagues praised his talent, generosity and creative vision. Joel and Small reconciled years after their initial conflict and maintained their friendship through Small's directing work on Joel's projects.
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