Inside Story

Billy Joel wasn’t in the crowd for the Tribeca Festival premiere of his highly anticipated HBO documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes, but his presence was deeply felt. The legendary singer-songwriter, recently diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH), opted out of the event while undergoing specialized physical therapy. Still, he sent a trademark quip to the audience: “Getting old sucks, but it’s still preferable to getting cremated.”

The first installment of the two-part documentary dives into Joel’s turbulent rise to fame, his complex relationship with stardom, and the stories behind classics like “Piano Man” and “New York State of Mind.” Directed by Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin, the film features never-before-seen footage and interviews with friends and collaborators including Paul McCartney, Pink, Bruce Springsteen, and Joel’s former manager and ex-wife, Elizabeth Weber.

Despite canceling a slate of tour dates, directors affirmed that Joel is optimistic about returning to the stage. “He will be back,” said Lacy, noting his bravery in allowing such an unflinching portrayal.

Tribeca co-founder Robert De Niro called Joel “the poet laureate of New York,” a sentiment echoed by the star-studded premiere’s emotional tone. And So It Goes hits HBO and Max this summer.

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