Billy Joel says no thanks to a long ago ex manager.
Someone named Irwin Mazur says he’s making a movie about Billy’s early years without permission. He was Billy Joel’s manager from 1966 to 1970.
But the movie is not going to include any of Joel’s music. It will actually probably never happen. Apparently Mazur teamed up with Billy’s old friend Jon Small. If you remember, Billy snatched Small’s wife away from him in the early 70s. Elizabeth Weber married Billy, bringing along the son she had with Small. Weber managed Billy and brought in her brother, who ripped Joel off for millions. Billy and Weber consequently divorced.
So it seems that these minor characters who were in Billy Joel’s life 60 years thought they could use old, rather boring stories to make a movie.
Billy’s spokesperson Claire Mercuri says: “Since 2021, the parties involved have been officially notified that they do not possess Billy Joel’s life rights and will not be able to secure the music rights required for this project. Billy Joel has not authorized or supported this project in any capacity, and any attempt to move forward without it would be both legally and professionally misguided.”
Got that? Bald faced exploitation. Not happening Irwin! You thought you were a big shot, didn’t ya?
PS The fact that the trades and even news radio — I heard this mentioned this morning — took the press release seriously means they’ve really got to a grip on reality.
