NEED TO KNOW
HBO Max’s upcoming two-part documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, premieres on July 18 and July 25
His daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, watched the film and shared her reaction to Instagram
“Without giving anything away, lemme just tell you… it’s astounding,” she wrote
The new documentary about Billy Joel made an impact on his daughter, Alexa Ray Joel.
The 39-year-old singer-songwriter took to Instagram on Thursday, July 17 and shared her reaction to HBO Max’s upcoming two-part film, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, after watching with her mom, Christie Brinkley, who was married to the “Piano Man” singer, 76, from 1985 to 1994.
Alexa got to view the documentary before its two parts premiere on July 18 and July 25. “Without giving anything away, lemme just tell you… it’s astounding,” she wrote alongside a series of photos with Billy. “What an emotional whirlwind to delve into both parts 1 & 2 over the last few nights with My Mother.”
The first part chronicles Billy’s “early beginnings and how he broke through as an artist,” teased his daughter, noting that the second installment features both her and Brinkley, 71. “We laughed, we cried… we relived many beautiful, poignant, painful, and bittersweetly-nostalgic family memories,” she continued.
“This is a fearlessly raw, reeling, and shockingly intimate portrait of My Father,” continued Alexa. “The deeply layered narrative insights into Dad’s richly-textured history left me stunned. (And here I thought I knew everything there was to know about him.) You don’t know ‘til you watch this!”
Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic
Billy Joel, Alexa Ray Joel and Christie Brinkley in June 2011
She then directed her attention directly toward the “Vienna” artist, who’s also father to daughters Della, 9, and Remy, 7, with wife Alexis. “Congrats To My One-Of-A-Kind Father on a masterpiece in true storytelling… I know you’re not all that impressed or intrigued with yourself, but the rest of us certainly are,” wrote Alexa.
“If you’re interested in the full story behind My Father’s complex background, lineage, and personal life… not to mention, his timeless musical perspective and artistry: this is a must-watch. Don’t miss it,” she said, adding that she gives the project a “five star rave review.”
The trailer for Billy Joel: And So It Goes premiered earlier this month and found the five-time Grammy winner reflecting on his life, career and music.
“Sometimes it’s alien to me — this guy, Billy Joel. I don’t know who that is, or what that is,” he says in the clip. “I’m reminded of it when I go walk on the street. Oh, right, I’m that guy.”
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In the documentary, Billy will speak about his childhood and how it influenced his music, plus his early days in the industry — and it will also explore his relationships and marriages.
Myrna M. Suarez/Getty
Billy Joel in February 2025
Additionally, And So It Goes will touch upon darker moments of Joel’s life, such as the near-fatal 1982 motorcycle crash he experienced, along with his two suicide attempts. “I learned that life is a fight,” he reflected.
“I think music saved my life. It gave me a reason to live,” Joel says in the trailer. “Everything I’ve done and everything I’ve lived through has somehow found its way into my music.”
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