Mourning the death of his longtime friend and collaborator Jon Small, Billy Joel paid homage to his drummer and former bandmate.
Taking to Instagram alongside a throwback photo of the musical duo, and a more recent shot of them smiling together, the superstar singer/songwriter simply wrote “RIP Jon Small.”
By recruiting him into The Hassles, Small helped kickstart Joel’s music career, though their personal and professional relationship was severely tested when Joel fell in love with Small’s wife, Elizabeth.
In the 2025 documentary Billy Joel And So It Goes, the Piano Man said that he was wracked with guilt over the situation and felt like a “home wrecker”, and that both he and Small were “very upset”.
Joel and Elizabeth married in 1973. She went on to be his manager and is largely credited with helping launch his solo career. The couple divorced in 1982.
Joel and Small reunited in the 1980s to make several music videos together, including ‘Uptown Girl,’ ‘Keeping the Faith’ and ‘Tell Her About It,’ on which Small served as video producer.
In 1992 Small was nominated for a Grammy Award for his work on Joel’s Live at Yankee Stadium concert film. He also worked as a director and producer for such artists as Kenny Rogers, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton.
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Author: Saul Goode
Photo: slgckgc