Film will tell the early story of Joel’s career
An unauthorized biopic about Billy Joel is in the works at Michael Jai White’s Jaigantic Studios. Variety reports the film, titled Piano Man, will follow Joel’s discovery at the age of 16 through his breakout performance in 1972 that captured the attention of Clive Davis.
Joel will not be involved with the project. His rep confirms that neither his name/likeness, life story nor any music rights will be licensed for the project. Producers state music needs are “yet to be determined.”
The studio has, however, acquired the life rights to Irwin Mazur, who managed Joel from 1965 to 1972, a year before his commercial breakthrough with “Piano Man.” Joel’s debut album, Cold Spring Harbor, was released in 1971 and includes “She’s Got A Way,” but the song didn’t become a hit until a 1981 live version was released the following year.
“What a dream come true! These are the real-life events I witnessed first-hand that shaped Billy from a keyboard player in the local Long Island band, The Hassles, into the iconic musician, singer-songwriter, and entertainer who thrills audiences around the world, today,” Mazur says in a statement to Variety.
Adam Ripp, whose father Artie Ripp signed Joel to his first deal as a solo artist and produced Cold Spring Harbor, will write and direct. He will also produce alongside White, Mazur, Mayne Berke and Donovan de Boer.
“Billy Joel has been a part of my life since my father signed him to his record label when I was four years old,” Ripp adds. “His music is ingrained in my DNA and it’s been a dream of mine as a filmmaker to explore and celebrate the untold story of how Billy Joel became the Piano Man.”
Jaigantic Studios will executive produce the project.
No word on when production will begin or when the film will be released.
