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HangupsMusic.com – Long Island, NY – The music world mourns the passing of Jon Small, a pivotal figure in Billy Joel’s formative years and a respected talent in his own right. Small, a drummer whose rhythmic contributions underpinned some of Joel’s earliest, most raw musical endeavors, died recently. His death was confirmed by Joel himself in a heartfelt social media tribute, sparking renewed reflection on a complex friendship that traversed the highs and lows of artistic ambition, profound personal betrayal, and ultimately, a remarkable path to forgiveness and collaboration. The exact circumstances of Small’s passing, including his age and cause of death, have not been publicly disclosed at the time of this report.
Small’s connection with Billy Joel predates the “Piano Man” persona that would eventually define a generation. Their shared journey began in the vibrant, competitive rock scene of Long Island in the late 1960s. This fertile ground for aspiring musicians brought together a young Joel, then grappling with his identity as a songwriter and performer, and Small, a dynamic drummer whose precision and power provided a crucial backbone for their early projects. Their partnership wasn’t merely professional; it was deeply personal, forged in countless hours of rehearsal, shared dreams, and the struggles inherent in trying to break into the notoriously difficult music industry.
Their first significant collaboration came with The Hassles, a rhythm and blues-influenced rock band that signed with United Artists Records. The band, fronted by Joel on keyboards and vocals, alongside Small on drums, released two albums: The Hassles in 1967 and Hour of the Wolf in 1969. These records, while not achieving widespread commercial success, showcased the raw talent and burgeoning songwriting prowess of Joel, complemented by Small’s energetic drumming. The Hassles toured extensively, playing the circuit of clubs and colleges, building a local following, and gaining invaluable experience that would shape their future careers. For Small, these years were foundational, honing his craft and solidifying his bond with Joel.
Following the dissolution of The Hassles, Joel and Small embarked on an even more unconventional musical venture: Attila. Formed in 1970, this audacious duo was a stark departure from their previous work, leaning into a heavy, experimental sound characterized by Joel’s distorted organ and Small’s thunderous, driving drums. Their self-titled album, released the same year, presented a raw, aggressive sound that was ahead of its time for some, and perplexing for others. While critically divisive and commercially unsuccessful, Attila represented a fearless exploration of musical boundaries, a testament to the creative synergy between Joel and Small. It was a brief but intense chapter, showcasing their willingness to experiment and push artistic limits, even if it meant alienating a mainstream audience.
However, the creative intensity of Attila was tragically overshadowed by a personal drama that would profoundly impact both men. During this period, Billy Joel was living with Jon Small and his wife, Elizabeth Weber. What began as a close-knit friendship and professional partnership soon fractured under the weight of an unexpected and deeply painful romantic entanglement. Joel confessed his love for Weber, leading to a devastating revelation that tore apart the fabric of their lives. This episode, a raw and honest account of which is explored in the recent documentary And So It Goes, became a foundational, albeit agonizing, part of Billy Joel’s personal lore, inspiring some of his most poignant early compositions.
In And So It Goes, both Small and Joel spoke with remarkable candor about the betrayal and its aftermath. Small recounted the crushing blow of discovering his two closest confidantes had betrayed him. "Elizabeth was very important to me, but I think I was not the guy she hoped I would be," Small reflected in the documentary. "I kept seeing that Billy was not the same guy. Something was the matter. And Billy one day came up to me, became a little honest, and said to me, ‘I’m in love with your wife.’ So it was a very devastating thing for me, because these were basically my two best friends." His words conveyed not just hurt, but a profound sense of loss for the relationships he cherished.
Joel, in turn, expressed deep remorse and guilt over his actions. "I felt very, very guilty about it. They had a child. I felt like a homewrecker. I was just in love with a woman, and I got punched in the nose, which I deserved. Jon was very upset. I was very upset," Joel admitted in the film. The affair led directly to the breakup of Attila and a temporary, but significant, rupture in the friendship between the two musicians. Joel subsequently married Elizabeth Weber in 1973, a union that lasted until their divorce in 1982. This period of intense emotional turmoil and professional disruption could easily have severed their bond permanently.
Yet, remarkably, the story of Jon Small and Billy Joel is not one defined solely by betrayal, but also by an extraordinary capacity for forgiveness and reconciliation. Despite the profound hurt, time and a deeper understanding allowed their friendship to heal. Small, reflecting on the long road to acceptance, offered a poignant insight into Joel’s enduring pain. "He never really said anything to me," Small recalled in the documentary. "The only practical answer I can give as to why Billy took it so hard was because he loved me that much and that it killed him to hurt me that much. Eventually I forgave him." This sentiment speaks volumes about the depth of their original connection and the power of empathy to mend even the deepest wounds. Their reconciliation wasn’t just a personal triumph; it paved the way for renewed professional collaborations.
After his drumming career with Joel’s early bands, Jon Small transitioned to a highly successful career behind the camera, becoming a respected director of music videos and concert films. His talent for visual storytelling was evident in several projects for his old friend. He directed Billy Joel’s concert films Live From Long Island and Live at Shea Stadium, capturing the iconic performer’s energy and connection with his audience on a grand scale. Small also helmed the music video for Joel’s poignant duet with Ray Charles, “Baby Grand,” showcasing his ability to translate musical emotion into compelling visuals.
Beyond his work with Joel, Small established himself as a sought-after director in the broader music industry. His directorial credits include an impressive roster of country music superstars and pop artists. He lent his vision to videos for Reba McEntire, Enrique Iglesias, and the legendary duo Brooks & Dunn. Perhaps most notably, Small directed a significant body of work for Garth Brooks, including the powerful and iconic video for “Standing Outside the Fire” and numerous concert specials. His work with these artists demonstrated a versatility and keen understanding of how to craft narratives and imagery that resonated with diverse fan bases, solidifying his legacy as a creative force in the visual aspects of music.
The renewed attention to Joel’s early career through And So It Goes served as a timely backdrop for Small’s passing. The documentary provided a unique opportunity for both men to share their perspectives on a chapter that was instrumental in shaping Joel’s artistic path and personal journey. It offered audiences an intimate glimpse into the struggles and sacrifices behind the eventual rise of one of music’s most enduring icons, and highlighted the often-unseen stories of those who played crucial roles in that ascent. Jon Small was undoubtedly one of those individuals, his influence extending far beyond the drum kit.
Billy Joel, whose career skyrocketed after these early struggles, went on to become one of the best-selling music artists of all time. His discography boasts 43 entries on the Billboard Hot 100, including 13 top 10 hits and three chart-topping singles: “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me,” “Tell Her About It,” and “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” His induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1999 cemented his status as a musical legend. The foundation laid by early bandmates like Jon Small, through both triumphs and tribulations, played an undeniable part in the development of the artist who would achieve such monumental success.
Jon Small’s life was a testament to the winding, often unpredictable path of a career in music, marked by artistic collaboration, deep personal bonds, profound challenges, and ultimately, a powerful narrative of resilience and forgiveness. His contributions, both as a musician and a visual director, have left an indelible mark on the landscape of popular music. While the details surrounding his death remain sparse, his legacy as a talented artist and a pivotal figure in the early story of Billy Joel will undoubtedly endure.
