The Downfall: Billy Joel's Marriage Ends with a Harsh Comment

The Turbulent Life of Billy Joel: A Cautionary Tale of Love, Loss, and Music

In a shocking revelation that has left fans reeling, it's been revealed that music legend Billy Joel's romance with supermodel Christie Brinkley was marred by a hurtful comment he made to her during his battle with alcoholism. The harsh remark ultimately led to the end of their 10-year marriage. But what really happened in those fateful years? Was it a case of bad timing, or a deeper issue that threatened to destroy one of music's greatest careers?

Let's take a step back and revisit the moment when Billy Joel met Christie Brinkley on the picturesque Caribbean island of St Barts in 1983. The Piano Man was holidaying at an exclusive resort, where he stumbled upon a piano at the local bar. As he began to play, he attracted a crowd, including supermodels Christie Brinkley and Elle Macpherson. Billy, ever the charmer, started chatting up both women, but in his haste, he brushed off another young woman who approached him with an offer to sing.

Little did he know that this was Whitney Houston, one of music's most iconic voices. "It was," Billy would later admit, "Whitney freaking Houston." Despite the embarrassing encounter, Billy eventually got together with Christie, and their romance blossomed. They married in 1985 and became one of the most famous celebrity couples of the 80s.

However, behind the scenes, Billy's demons were starting to surface. His drinking problem was getting out of control, and his relationship with Christie began to suffer. In a brutal throwaway comment that has now been revealed, Billy told Christie that she was "nothing" to him. The devastating remark marked the beginning of the end for their marriage.

But what drove Billy's destructive behavior? Was it a case of bad genes or a lifetime of trauma? Growing up in Hicksville, Long Island, New York, Billy was just four when he started playing the piano, following in his father Howard's footsteps. However, tragedy struck when his father left the family when Billy was just eight years old.

Billy recalls the struggles his mother Rosalind faced raising him and his sister Judy alone. "We were kind of outcasts," he says. "We didn't have a new car, we didn't have a dad, we were the Jews. We didn't have any money. Sometimes we didn't have any food." His mother's drinking problem only added to the family's turmoil.

Despite the challenges they faced, Rosalind ensured that Billy received piano lessons. "Mom was my cheerleader," he says. "She never gave up."

As Billy entered his teenage years, he began to form bands and perform in local gigs. However, it wasn't long before he got caught up in a tumultuous love triangle with Elizabeth Weber and her husband Jon Small. The affair ultimately led to the implosion of the trio, with Elizabeth leaving the family home.

Billy's behavior became increasingly erratic as he struggled to cope with his emotions. He attempted to take his own life not once, but twice – first with sleeping pills, which landed him in a coma, and then by drinking furniture polish. It was Jon Small who saved Billy's life, taking him to the hospital after finding him in a desperate state.

After this harrowing experience, Billy vowed to channel all his emotions into music. And what music it turned out to be! The documentary "Billy Joel: And So It Goes" co-executive produced by Tom Hanks, charts the stories behind hits such as "Tell Her About It" and "The River Of Dreams."

Fans like Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, and Pink marvel at Billy's musical range, which spans from rock to classical. In one jaw-dropping moment, Billy even plays "Uptown Girl" in the style of a Mozart piece.

But behind the glamour and success, Billy was struggling with addiction, infidelity, and financial mismanagement. His second marriage to Elizabeth Weber ended after he became increasingly dependent on her for emotional support. However, when she left him, Billy's downward spiral accelerated.

He eventually found himself embroiled in a $90 million lawsuit against his former manager Frank Weber, who he accused of embezzling funds from his company. The court ultimately ruled in Billy's favor, but the stress took its toll on his health and relationships.

In 2001, Billy released "Fantasies & Delusions," an album that topped the US Billboard classical charts for 18 weeks. But it was a bittersweet moment, as he had recently divorced his third wife Katie Lee after she left him to deal with her own addiction issues.

It wasn't until 2015 that Billy found love again, marrying Alexis Roderick, who has two young daughters with him. However, just last month, Billy missed the premiere of "Billy Joel: And So It Goes" in New York due to a recent diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a treatable condition affecting mobility and cognitive function.

Despite his tumultuous past, Billy remains optimistic about his future. "I think music saved my life," he remarks at the end of the documentary. "It gave me a reason to live."

Will this iconic musician's story serve as a cautionary tale for others struggling with addiction and relationship issues? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – Billy Joel's journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Read the full documentary on thescholarlynote.com, available now.