A Complex Relationship
Billy Joel and Elizabeth Weber’s relationship was far from a typical love story. It began with complications and ended in separation, but during their time together, they formed a partnership that significantly influenced Joel’s career. According to Weber, their union created something “greater than the sum of the parts.”
This dynamic is explored in the first part of HBO’s two-part documentary, “Billy Joel: And So It Goes.” The film delves into the highs and lows of their relationship, revealing how their connection shaped both their personal lives and Joel’s musical journey.
Meeting and Falling in Love
Weber and Joel first met in the late 1960s when Joel was friends with Jon Small, who was married to Weber at the time. In 1969, Joel moved in with the couple and their young son, Sean, for musical and financial reasons. As they spent more time together, a romantic relationship developed between Joel and Weber.
“Weather you just find someone you’re comfortable with, who can finish your sentences and knows what you’re thinking without saying anything, sometimes it’s a slow build,” Weber explained in the documentary. However, their relationship quickly evolved after they began an affair.
Joel confessed his betrayal to Small, leading Weber to temporarily leave both men. During her absence, Joel wrote several songs about her, which deeply affected her. “Hearing those songs was overwhelming. It was stunning that he could accomplish something like that,” she recalled.
Reconnecting and Building a Career
After some time apart, Weber and Joel reconnected. She became a supportive partner, helping Joel focus on his music. Their relationship deepened, and in 1973, they married in a courthouse ceremony. Weber took on the role of his manager, creating an entire management group to support his career.
Her efforts were instrumental in bringing Joel’s music to the masses. However, the challenges of managing a rising star came with their own set of difficulties. Weber noted that as a woman making decisions in a male-dominated industry, she often faced gendered language and criticism.
“The man is strong and assertive, it’s all good,” she said in the documentary. “But if you’re a woman who makes a decision that people don’t like, the gendered language comes out.”
Strains and Separation
As Joel’s fame grew, so did the strain on their relationship. Weber eventually stepped down as his manager, but the challenges of his lifestyle continued to push them apart. His indulgent behavior, including alcohol and drug use, became a major issue for Weber, especially as a mother.
She couldn’t stand to see the impact of these habits on Joel and his band. Even joining him on tour became impossible. The only time they spent together was when he wasn’t on the road, but even then, Joel’s passion for motorcycling worried her.
He wrote a song about her concern after one close call — “You May Be Right.” The track, from his “Glass Houses” album, captured their growing emotional distance. Months after its release, Joel suffered a serious motorcycle accident, leaving him hospitalized with multiple injuries. For Weber, this was the final straw.
“I would have stayed,” she said, reflecting on their relationship. “I would have been able, like so many women before, to make that accommodation for someone you love. But there was no way that I could stand by and watch him kill himself. I just didn’t have that in me.”
A Lasting Connection
Despite their divorce in 1982, Weber still holds affection for Joel. “I still have room in my heart,” she said. “I love Bill. I always will.”
Joel went on to marry three more times and is now married to Alexis Roderick Joel. Their story remains a testament to the complexities of love, ambition, and the sacrifices made along the way.
