Executive Overview
The global music community is mourning the loss of Jon Small, a foundational figure in the early life and career of legendary singer-songwriter Billy Joel. Small, whose multi-faceted career spanned decades as a rock-and-roll drummer, innovative music video director, and behind-the-scenes collaborator, shared a deeply intertwined history with the man known globally as the "Piano Man." Their relationship traversed the full spectrum of human experience: from the raw, gritty energy of underground Long Island rock clubs in the late 1960s to a devastating personal betrayal that tore their friendship apart, and finally, to a profound, hard-won reconciliation in their later years.
While Small’s specific age and cause of death remained undisclosed at the time of publication, news of his passing—announced by Joel via a touching social media tribute—has prompted a sweeping retrospective look at the formative chapters of Joel’s ascent to superstardom. Their intertwined lives offer a poignant lens through which to examine the costs of ambition, the sting of youthful indiscretions, and the healing power of forgiveness over time.
Detailed Chronology: From the Long Island Scene to Attila and Beyond
To understand Jon Small’s place in rock history, one must look back to the vibrant, hyper-local music scene of Long Island, New York, during the mid-to-late 1960s. It was an era of intense sonic experimentation, garage-band grit, and high-stakes hustling for national attention.
The Rise of The Hassles (1967–1969)
Jon Small first crossed paths with a teenage Billy Joel within the ecosystem of the Long Island music circuit. Small was already established as a formidable, driving force behind the drum kit, while Joel was a prodigious keyboardist sharpening his chops in local outfits. In 1967, the two joined forces in The Hassles, a soulful blue-eyed-soul and psychedelic rock band signed to United Artists Records.
The Hassles were notable for their ambitious arrangements and distinctive dual-keyboard/vocal dynamics, which helped them secure a loyal regional following. The band released two studio albums—their self-titled debut The Hassles in 1967 and Hour of the Wolf in 1969. Despite critical praise and relentless touring, commercial breakthrough eluded the group, leading to inevitable creative friction and frustration.
The Audacious Experiment of Attila (1970–1971)
Rather than retreating from the music industry after the dissolution of The Hassles, Small and Joel doubled down on their collaborative partnership, stripping their sound down to its most radical, aggressive elements. In 1970, they formed Attila, a pioneering heavy-metal, psychedelic-rock duo consisting solely of Small on drums and percussion, and Joel playing distorted, heavily amplified organ and bass pedals.
Attila signed with Epic Records and released a self-titled debut album in July 1970. Heavily reliant on volume, heavy distortion, and theatrical bravado, the album was a critical anomaly. Today, Attila is often cited by music historians and hardcore Joel fans as a fascinating, bizarre footnote in the artist’s trajectory—a stark contrast to the melodic, pop-craft mastery that would soon define his solo career. Yet, at the time, the project was plagued by poor sales, critical derision, and an unsustainable internal dynamic.
The Turning Point and Personal Upheaval
The definitive end of Attila—and the temporary destruction of Small and Joel’s friendship—came not from artistic differences, but from a profound personal crisis. During this period, Joel was living in close quarters with Small and his then-wife, Elizabeth Weber. What began as a domestic arrangement dissolved into emotional chaos when Joel fell deeply in love with Weber.
The episode has long been etched into the mythology of Billy Joel’s early life, but it received unprecedented, candid exploration in the recent documentary And So It Goes. In the film, both men reflected on the betrayal with raw vulnerability.
"Elizabeth was very important to me, but I think I was not the guy she hoped I would be," Small recalled 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."
Joel echoed this deep remorse in the film, detailing the guilt he carried for decades. "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."
The fallout was immediate: Attila disbanded, Joel and Small severed all ties, and Joel ultimately married Weber in 1973 (a marriage that ended in divorce in 1982).
Supporting Context & Metrics: Reconciling Past Wounds and Creative Legacy
While the emotional rupture caused by the love triangle could easily have been permanent, the passage of time and a shared history forged in their youth ultimately bridged the divide between Small and Joel.
The Path to Forgiveness
Years after the dust settled, Small and Joel found their way back to one another. In And So It Goes, Small reflected on the underlying psychology of their rift and subsequent healing, noting that he ultimately came to recognize the profound psychological toll the affair took on Joel himself.
"He never really said anything to me," Small noted 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."
Transitioning Behind the Camera
Following their reconciliation, Small pivoted from drumming to visual media, carving out a successful career as a director and producer. Crucially, his professional ties to Joel were renewed behind the camera. Small directed several vital visual projects for his old friend, including the celebrated concert films Live From Long Island and Live at Shea Stadium. Furthermore, Small directed the official music video for Joel’s track "Baby Grand" (his duet with Ray Charles).
Beyond his work with Joel, Small established a formidable reputation in the country and pop music video sectors, directing music videos for legendary acts such as Reba McEntire, Enrique Iglesias, and Brooks & Dunn. His transition into directing showcased a versatile creative intellect that extended far beyond the confines of a drum riser.
Billy Joel’s Enduring Musical Footprint
Small’s passing occurs as the broader public re-examines the foundations of Billy Joel’s monumental career. Joel’s legacy as a cultural titan is anchored by staggering commercial metrics and critical acclaim:
- Hot 100 Success: Joel boasts 43 entries on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
- Top 10 Staples: He has secured 13 top 10 hit singles.
- Chart-Toppers: Three of his tracks reached the coveted No. 1 spot: "It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me," "Tell Her About It," and "We Didn’t Start the Fire."
- Industry Honors: In recognition of his indelible impact on American music, Joel was inducted into the prestigious Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.
Official Statements and Tributes
Following news of Small’s passing, tributes poured in from colleagues, fans, and industry insiders who remembered him not merely as a footnote in a famous singer’s biography, but as a warm, creative spirit who left an undeniable mark on the entertainment industry.
Billy Joel’s personal tribute, shared via social media, served as an emotional anchor for the mourning process. Eschewing public relations platitudes, Joel’s statement highlighted the profound bond they shared from their earliest days on Long Island through the complex trials of adulthood.
As of press time, members of Small’s family and representatives have not released further details regarding memorial services or the exact cause of his passing. The music community, however, has rallied around the preservation of his memory—remembering a man whose rhythm anchored the infancy of a rock icon, and whose capacity for forgiveness ultimately restored a deeply treasured friendship.
Future Outlook: Preserving the History of an Era
The loss of Jon Small marks the fading of another living link to the golden age of late-1960s and early-1970s American rock-and-roll experimentation. As documentaries like And So It Goes continue to educate younger generations of fans about the struggles, failures, and triumphs that preceded multi-platinum stadium tours, figures like Small ensure we remember that behind every legendary pop icon lies a network of real people whose lives, heartbreaks, and contributions made the music possible.
Jon Small’s legacy will endure—not only through his recorded drum tracks with The Hassles and Attila, his pioneering work as a music video director, and his cinematic captures of Joel’s legendary live performances, but as a testament to the fact that even the deepest personal fractures can, with time, maturity, and grace, be healed by the enduring power of genuine friendship.
