Billy Joel

The Definitive Biography

By: Fred Schruers

Narrated by: Kirk Thornton

The all-access biography and unprecedented look at the life, career, and legacy of a pint-sized kid from Long Island who became a music legend.

“A funny, revealing, and poignant look at [Billy] Joel’s long career.”—Boston Globe

Exhibiting unparalleled intimate knowledge, Fred Schruers chronicles Joel’s rise to the top of the charts, from his working-class origins in Levittown and early days spent in boxing rings and sweaty clubs to his monumental success in the seventies and eighties. He also explores Joel’s creative transformation in the nineties, his dream performance with Paul McCartney at Shea Stadium in 2008, and beyond.

Along the way, Schruers reveals the stories behind all the key events and relationships—including Joel’s high-profile marriages and legal battles—that defined his path to stardom and inspired his signature songs, such as “Piano Man,” “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant,” “New York State of Mind,” and “She’s Always a Woman.” Throughout, he captures the spirit of a restless artist determined to break through by sharing, in his deeply personal lyrics, the dreams and heartbreaks of suburban American life.

Comprehensive, vibrantly written, and filled with Joel’s memories and reflections—as well as those of the family, friends, and band members who have formed his inner circle, including Christie Brinkley, Alexa Ray Joel, Jon Small, and Steve Cohen—this is the definitive account of a beloved rock star’s epic American journey.

Critic reviews

“If you call yourself a Joel fan, you'll be reading this.”—Newsday

“The rollicking story of a Hicksville boy made good.”—Maura Johnston, Newsday

“Schruers clearly realizes he has gold in his interviews with Joel, his friends, paramours, and confidants. . . . [He delivers] insights on individual songs that will surprise even the most studied Joel fan . . . [and] has given us the most complete look at Joel’s life and career to date.”—Dallas Morning News

“[Billy Joel] not only lives up to its subtitle, but has the strengths of both an autobiography and biography. . . . [It] will likely end up as the most complete tome on the Bard of Long Island, with the most access to its subject.”—Houston Press

“Schruers’ account of Joel’s 1970s rise is fantastic, rich in anecdotes about the origins of different songs.”—Billboard

“[A] funny and revealing account of one of the most popular songwriters of our time.”—New York Daily News

“Schruers uses interviews to great effect, allowing to emerge the everyman persona that resonates with Joel's fans . . . a fair, thorough assessment of Joel's celebrity.”—Publishers Weekly

Fawning but likeable bio

What did you like best about Billy Joel? What did you like least?

This bio has much to love and hate, which seems to mirror the often dichotomous opinion people (or music critics) have of the Piano Man. Schruers covers all the bases of Joel's life from his ancestors hegira from Nazi Germany, to his early days on Long Island, through pop stardom and later touring years. As might be expected from Schruers somewhat abbreviated treatment, each episode is covered in an almost cursory way with little time for in depth exploration of Joel's musical influences, cultural context, or critical interpretation. The hits, loves, tribulations, drug and alcohol abuse just breeze by and readers hoping for critical analysis or even behind the scenes details may come away disappointed. Nevertheless, Billy Joel has its pluses. Schruers notes in his sources the hundred+ hours of interviews and access Joel gave him; add to this the interviews with others in Joel's entourage plus voluminous research and what you get is a book that brims with quotes for every occasion that often illuminates Joel's personality and humor. But therein also lies the problem. One gets the sense that this is less a biography than ghostwritten autobiography and Schruers' access may have come at the price of a reluctance to delve with any depth or criticism into the darker aspects of Joel's life. The end result is a sympathetic, almost fawning bio that will neither offend nor illuminate but should appeal to those interested in a quick, breezy read and whose curiosity about the Piano Man would be satisfied with a Joel on Joel treatment.

What about Kirk Thornton’s performance did you like?

I quite enjoyed the narration, particularly Thornton's stabs at imitating Elton John, Keith Richards and other musicians. That aside, the narration is jaunty and befits the material.

Wonderful story.

I love when history ties in with icons we grew up with. It makes us realize history wasn’t so long ago. I have even more respect to Joel than I did before. I would highly recommend this book.

Great Bio!

What a great insight into the man behind the music! Have loved the music of Billy Joel and his storytelling for years.

More like a soap opera than a rockstar's biography

How lovely to hear about Billy's love-life, time after time. Would much prefer to learn about his journey as a rockstar. Oh, but then I remember, he wasn't one.

Fantastic

The narrator did a fantastic job. His subtle voice changes really brought Billy's story to life.