Billy Joel: The Definitive Biography

Billy Joel: The Definitive Biography by Fred Schruers offers an intimate, all-access look at the legendary musician’s life, career, and legacy.

From his working-class roots in Levittown, Long Island, to his rise through clubs and boxing gyms, Schruers traces Joel’s journey to stardom in the 1970s and ’80s, his artistic evolution in later decades, and milestone moments like performing with Paul McCartney at Shea Stadium.

The book delves into the stories behind Joel’s iconic songs—“Piano Man,” “New York State of Mind,” and “She’s Always a Woman”—as well as his personal struggles, marriages, and creative inspirations.

Featuring insights from Joel, his family, friends, and collaborators, this vivid, revealing biography captures the spirit of an artist who gave voice to the hopes and heartbreaks of everyday American life.