Part 4/14:
Remarkably, Billy Joel’s life was nothing short of tumultuous and deeply human. He is a fellow Long Islander—a point of connection for many fans from that area—and that shared regional identity feeds into his storytelling and authenticity. His biography reveals layers of hardship, trauma, and inner conflict that are often overlooked.
Billy’s childhood was marked by brutality and hardship. His father, also a musician, was a frustrated artist who physically abused him; he recounts being hit so hard that he was knocked unconscious at just 11 years old. His early immersion in classical piano was met with both talent and violence, illustrating a childhood rife with contradictions.