Billy Joel announces death of former bandmate Jon Small

Musician Billy Joel has announced the death of his former bandmate Jon Small. Small was a long-time collaborator who performed with Joel in the 1960s band The Hassles and later in the hard rock duo Attila, which released a debut album in 1970.

The relationship between the two musicians was famously strained after Joel fell in love with Small’s wife, Elizabeth Weber, while living in their home. This event led to the dissolution of Attila and a temporary rift in their friendship. The history of this period was detailed in the documentary ‘And So It Goes’.

Despite the past conflict, the two eventually reconciled. Small went on to work on several of Joel’s concert films, including ‘Live from Long Island’ and ‘Live at Shea Stadium’, and directed the video for ‘Baby Grand’. The cause of death and Small’s age have not yet been disclosed.