Billy Joel condemns upcoming biopic about his early life as ‘legally and professionally misguided’

Singer-songwriter has ‘not authorised or supported’ Billy & Me, which will be based on the story of his first manager Irwin Mazur Billy Joel has condemned an upcoming biopic titled Billy & Me, told through the eyes of his first manager, as “legally and professionally misguided”. Billy & Me, which was announced on Tuesday, is set to tell the story of Joel’s first manager Irwin Mazur, who discovered the singer in 1966, signed him in 1970 and oversaw his career up until Joel signed with Columbia Records in 1972. His career took off with his album Piano Man one year later. Casting is now under way, with film-maker John Ottman, who recently edited the hit Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, set to direct. However, Billy & Me does not have Joel’s approval, rights to his music, or his life rights – the latter essentially being an agreement studios strike to buy a person’s permission to adapt their personal story without the threat of lawsuits. In a statement to Variety, Joel’s representative said on Tuesday: “Since 2021, the parties involved have been officially notified that they do not possess Billy Joel’s life rights and will not be able to secure the music rights re