Billy Joel Reveals Two Past Suicide Attempts Following Affair With Best Friend’s Wife In New Documentary

The new documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, premiered at the Tribeca Festival in New York City on Wednesday (June 4). The film reveals a tumultuous period in the singer’s early life, which included two suicide attempts stemming from an affair with his best friend’s wife. Following the dissolution of their band Attila – which featured Joel and his best friend Jon Small –  and the eventual breakup of his friend’s marriage, Joel spiraled into depression and heavy drinking. He attempted suicide twice, once with sleeping pills and then by consuming lemon Pledge furniture polish. “I was sleeping in laundromats and I was depressed,” Joel said in the film. “I was just in a lot of pain. So, I just thought I’d end it all.” Joel’s sister, Judy Molinari, and Small – who eventually forgave him – intervened to save his life, and he sought help in an observation ward. The documentary is co-directed by Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin, and will premiere on HBO in July and be available for streaming on Max. (Consequence of Sound)