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Billy Joel: The Life and Times of an Angry Young Man
Billy The Life and Times of an Angry Young Man is a look at the superstar's entire career, including his troubled youth as a gang member; the controversy surrounding his first hit, “Captain Jack”; his legal problems; his storied marriage with Christie Brinkley; and his continued artistic frustration. “The Beatles did 'Michelle' and 'Yesterday '” he has said., “They also did 'Revolution' and 'Helter Skelter' and they weren't pegged as balladeers. But because I had hit singles that were ballads, I became known as a balladeer. I've always resented it.”
Joel – one of the top ten touring takes of the decade – has continued his standing road date with Elton John on the never-ending Two Pianos tour. It was one of the world's top-grossing tours in 2009, just behind U2 and Bruce Springsteen.
Joel – one of the top ten touring takes of the decade – has continued his standing road date with Elton John on the never-ending Two Pianos tour. It was one of the world's top-grossing tours in 2009, just behind U2 and Bruce Springsteen.
- GenresBiographyMusicNonfiction
338 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 21, 2013
Confession number one: I fucking LOVE Billy Joel. From age five, a babysitter's eldest daughter put me on the path to obsessing over Billy's music. Hey, it's pretty hard for a kindergartener NOT to be mesmerized by "We Didn't Start the Fire"! And two-and-a-half decades on, a short stint of listening to 'cool' music (grindcore) wasn't enough to deter me from rediscovering the Joel catalog a time or two in my nascent adulthood. So yes, Virginia, there IS a Billy Joel fan club out there, and we're not just the haggard office secretaries you imagine us to be.
Confession number two: I couldn't put down this Billy Joel biography. While I wouldn't say I "fucking LOVE"d it as I did the subject's music, reading about his life did give me a deeper insight into his songs and process. While not perfect, as far as popular musician biographies go, The Life and Times of an Angry Young Man is about as ambitious and enjoyable as you could ask for.
The best part about this book is hearing Joel's life story in his own words. One look at the Appendix and you can't help but admire Hank Bordowitz's research into this unauthorized biography. Since Billy himself wasn't cooperating, the amount of articles, interviews and other source material he's quoted from is staggering. Bordowitz stitches a quilt of quotes that tie together all the scenes in Joel's life. From his childhood on Long Island through his formative years as a gun-for-hire pianist, it was telling to find out how success of all kinds eluded Billy the kid. Bordowitz even peels back the curtain on Joel's infamous (and fortunately unsuccessful) suicide attempt, downing a bottle of furniture polish ("It looked tastier than bleach," Billy elaborates).
As soon as Billy releases his debut album, Cold Spring Harbor, in 1971, the biography is off and running. The book describes the formation (and eventual dissolution) of the Billy Joel Band, with whom he would record his most beloved albums. Later on, we read of his illicit romance with (and eventual separation from) his first wife, Elizabeth, whom Billy wooed away from a drummer in his early band. By the time you get to the 80s, you're treated to a slapdash description of his Cåinderella story engagement (and eventual divorce) to supermodel Christie Brinkley.
Seeing a pattern here? The repeated rise and fall of Billy Joel's life, both professionally and personally, takes on a familiar rhythm. The tales of love and loss lasting well into his fifties, it doesn't take long to figure out that in the life of a Piano Man, what goes up will eventually come crashing down.
Regardless of the period in Billy's life, Bordowitz treats triumph and tragedy with an intimate level of interest. Early sections of Billy's career are rife with song analysis. I found the stories behind early singles like "The Entertainer" and "Captain Jack" engrossing, and it's hard to view his trademark "Piano Man" the same way after reading about the real people's lives encapsulated in the ballad. For a fan of his music, these are some of the highlights to look forward to in the book.
However, as the book presses on and Billy's stock begins to rise, the pace quickens. Instead of slowing things down to tie up loose ends in Billy's life, Bordowitz focuses each chapter like a vignette on a particular aspect that seemed most important at the time. This could be anything from a hit album (The Stranger gets an in-depth look) to his love life, cross-country moves, or bungled business deals. The latter becomes a premium element of the biography around the mid-80s. For me, this was the part where it became difficult to sustain interest, as Billy's creative output took a backseat to lawsuits and record sales. Joel released his last pop album, River of Dreams, in 1993, and for many fans, the remaining chapters in his life (and bio) will read like diminishing returns. Although I appreciate the fact that Bordowitz was able to carry Joel's life story through to present day, the simple fact is that an artist is less interesting to read about when they haven't made anything new for twenty years.
Regardless of the inevitable slowdown of Billy's life, and an occasional tendency for the author's mind to wander, I still found this book to be an enlivening read. It shed light on some of my favorite songs and albums, for one. And moreover, Bordowitz is consistently able to portray his subject as a relatable figure, rather than the (comically) tragic one the media has often painted him to be. Wanting to make this read an immersive experience, I listened to Joel's records an alarming number of times while reading The Life and Times. I think some of these songs, whether new to me or not, have gained a little more depth as a result. And at the very least, now I know who exactly Joel was singing about in "Zanzibar".
A fast-paced and mostly lively survey of a legendary songwriter and performer, I would recommend The Life and Times to any fans of any Billy Joel fans, frustrated musicians, and angry young men in your life.
Confession number two: I couldn't put down this Billy Joel biography. While I wouldn't say I "fucking LOVE"d it as I did the subject's music, reading about his life did give me a deeper insight into his songs and process. While not perfect, as far as popular musician biographies go, The Life and Times of an Angry Young Man is about as ambitious and enjoyable as you could ask for.
The best part about this book is hearing Joel's life story in his own words. One look at the Appendix and you can't help but admire Hank Bordowitz's research into this unauthorized biography. Since Billy himself wasn't cooperating, the amount of articles, interviews and other source material he's quoted from is staggering. Bordowitz stitches a quilt of quotes that tie together all the scenes in Joel's life. From his childhood on Long Island through his formative years as a gun-for-hire pianist, it was telling to find out how success of all kinds eluded Billy the kid. Bordowitz even peels back the curtain on Joel's infamous (and fortunately unsuccessful) suicide attempt, downing a bottle of furniture polish ("It looked tastier than bleach," Billy elaborates).
As soon as Billy releases his debut album, Cold Spring Harbor, in 1971, the biography is off and running. The book describes the formation (and eventual dissolution) of the Billy Joel Band, with whom he would record his most beloved albums. Later on, we read of his illicit romance with (and eventual separation from) his first wife, Elizabeth, whom Billy wooed away from a drummer in his early band. By the time you get to the 80s, you're treated to a slapdash description of his Cåinderella story engagement (and eventual divorce) to supermodel Christie Brinkley.
Seeing a pattern here? The repeated rise and fall of Billy Joel's life, both professionally and personally, takes on a familiar rhythm. The tales of love and loss lasting well into his fifties, it doesn't take long to figure out that in the life of a Piano Man, what goes up will eventually come crashing down.
Regardless of the period in Billy's life, Bordowitz treats triumph and tragedy with an intimate level of interest. Early sections of Billy's career are rife with song analysis. I found the stories behind early singles like "The Entertainer" and "Captain Jack" engrossing, and it's hard to view his trademark "Piano Man" the same way after reading about the real people's lives encapsulated in the ballad. For a fan of his music, these are some of the highlights to look forward to in the book.
However, as the book presses on and Billy's stock begins to rise, the pace quickens. Instead of slowing things down to tie up loose ends in Billy's life, Bordowitz focuses each chapter like a vignette on a particular aspect that seemed most important at the time. This could be anything from a hit album (The Stranger gets an in-depth look) to his love life, cross-country moves, or bungled business deals. The latter becomes a premium element of the biography around the mid-80s. For me, this was the part where it became difficult to sustain interest, as Billy's creative output took a backseat to lawsuits and record sales. Joel released his last pop album, River of Dreams, in 1993, and for many fans, the remaining chapters in his life (and bio) will read like diminishing returns. Although I appreciate the fact that Bordowitz was able to carry Joel's life story through to present day, the simple fact is that an artist is less interesting to read about when they haven't made anything new for twenty years.
Regardless of the inevitable slowdown of Billy's life, and an occasional tendency for the author's mind to wander, I still found this book to be an enlivening read. It shed light on some of my favorite songs and albums, for one. And moreover, Bordowitz is consistently able to portray his subject as a relatable figure, rather than the (comically) tragic one the media has often painted him to be. Wanting to make this read an immersive experience, I listened to Joel's records an alarming number of times while reading The Life and Times. I think some of these songs, whether new to me or not, have gained a little more depth as a result. And at the very least, now I know who exactly Joel was singing about in "Zanzibar".
A fast-paced and mostly lively survey of a legendary songwriter and performer, I would recommend The Life and Times to any fans of any Billy Joel fans, frustrated musicians, and angry young men in your life.
May 16, 2008
The author was not allowed access to Billy Joel for interviews and research. Moreover, most people who have been and are associated with the Billy Joel were pretty tight-lipped. So this is basically a compilation of earlier published interview and articles.
May 15, 2020
This is perhaps one of the worst edited books I have ever read. Typos and poor grammar abound.
Beyond that though is the amount of facts that are incorrect. If the author couldn't be bothered to check his facts how much credence can we put into the hearsay that is the basis of the book.
Beyond that though is the amount of facts that are incorrect. If the author couldn't be bothered to check his facts how much credence can we put into the hearsay that is the basis of the book.
June 27, 2024
Anything Billy Joel grabs my attention, but this book could have been done better.
May 25, 2019
I liked the content, wasn't crazy about the writing. There were a lot of contradictions, in particular about the drug use (or the lack of - after reading this book I have no idea, as Bordowitz kept flip-flopping on the issue).
I am a HUGE - like, in an unhealthy way - Billy Joel fan. There wasn't much here I didn't know, but I appreciated getting more details. I like that the author took an unbiased approach and we saw the good, the bad and the ugly. As much as I love (LOVE) Billy, I know he's not a saint and wouldn't want to read a book portraying him as such. I appreciate the Afterward explaining that he didn't include anything in the book that he wouldn't want Billy's daughter(s) reading and wasn't essential to the story.
I am a HUGE - like, in an unhealthy way - Billy Joel fan. There wasn't much here I didn't know, but I appreciated getting more details. I like that the author took an unbiased approach and we saw the good, the bad and the ugly. As much as I love (LOVE) Billy, I know he's not a saint and wouldn't want to read a book portraying him as such. I appreciate the Afterward explaining that he didn't include anything in the book that he wouldn't want Billy's daughter(s) reading and wasn't essential to the story.
July 10, 2018
What an interesting read about an amazing song writer and performer. Its amazing that he is who he is with the way he was treated so early in life by his dad....pretty sucky!! Billy Joel hasn't had any recent hits in awhile and yet continues to sell out at crowds all over the world. And yet he doesn't think he is all that different from anyone else. This is a must read for any Billy Joel fan!!!!
February 19, 2019
Some interesting topics about Billy Joel but I just couldn't get deeply into it. Takes you up to about 2004. Not sure what I was looking for but didnt find it in this book.
May 18, 2012
This was a damn good biography.
I have always known Billy Joel had a rough life, but not to this degree. The man has put up with shit constantly to where, when the book went for a chapter about his great accomplishments, I felt like I was reading something completely different.
I love Billy Joel. He is one of my favorite musicians and after reading this I respect him as a person and musician more than ever.
In many ways I feel I can relate to him. He’s not that “big rock star” that’s constantly wanting fame and always in the public eye, he’s a very reserved guy who actually wanted nothing to do with this book. He didn’t think his life was interesting enough. That’s laughable because he has an amazingly interesting life.
I will admit, it was tough to read at times because I much more prefer autobiographies, but from the biographies I have read, this is one of the best.
I have always known Billy Joel had a rough life, but not to this degree. The man has put up with shit constantly to where, when the book went for a chapter about his great accomplishments, I felt like I was reading something completely different.
I love Billy Joel. He is one of my favorite musicians and after reading this I respect him as a person and musician more than ever.
In many ways I feel I can relate to him. He’s not that “big rock star” that’s constantly wanting fame and always in the public eye, he’s a very reserved guy who actually wanted nothing to do with this book. He didn’t think his life was interesting enough. That’s laughable because he has an amazingly interesting life.
I will admit, it was tough to read at times because I much more prefer autobiographies, but from the biographies I have read, this is one of the best.
October 5, 2012
Being a life long Billy Joel fan, it was interesting to learn about his life which I knew little about. Didn't think it was the best written book, especially because it your weren't playing super close attention, it was hard to know who was speaking. To say the book had a ton of long quotes would be an understatement. It looks like the author used mostly quotes from interviews and other articles, so it was more like a compilation of tidbits, than the other telling his take on Billy Joel's life. I do understand that the author dealt with some hard hurtles due to Billy not talking to him, or most of the people close to Billy being very tight lipped. It sounds like Billy is a very private person who wants to be left alone, which is understandable being the third highest selling male soloist of all time. Unless you are a big Billy Joel fan who knows very little about his history, I probably would not recommend this book.
November 20, 2007
Bordowitz's sources are far from reliable or insightful, and whoever edited this text was a complete imbecile... or blind. If you can get past the gossip-y nature and egregious editorial errors in this book, what is left is enough interesting tid-bits about Billy's personal life to keep fans interested. As an avid Joel fan myself, I found the book to be a let down, but still not a complete waste of my time. Thanks to the few insights into Billy's past I hadn't heard of before - such as specifics about his first marriage and the story behind the writing of "An Innocent Man" - I was kept interested long enough to make it through. But I wouldn't recommend it for anyone but knowledgeable Joel fans who can weed out the gems from the crap.
March 13, 2015
As much as I like Billy Joel, there isn't a whole lot to take away from this book other than the fact that it might be the most poorly edited book I've ever read. The same anecdotal stories are used more than twice on more than one occasion, reminiscent of a college student that has put off a big paper until the night before and really has to get it up to so many words to be able to turn it in. I'd have given it 2 stars for the modicum if information learned about Billy's formidable years, and his first marriage. With the myriad mistakes within, it's clear that this was too much of a snoozer for even the editor to have read.
September 11, 2008
Billy Joel's life makes for a fairly interesting read, but the writer (and by extension the editor) was a bit sloppy in his approach.
December 14, 2010
Some people should never be allowed to write books... Hank Bordowitz is one of them. The book reads like a high school student wrote it. Complete waste of time.
August 21, 2012
I've always been a Billy Joel fan and found this book to be interesting. It also reminded me of some music he wrote that I haven't listened to in year, it brought back fond memories.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews