Billy Joel Original Documentary, ‘And So It Goes,’ Coming To HBO, Max

Share This:

Photo via HBO by Art Maillett: Sony Music Archives; used with permission.

Billy Joel will be the subject of a HBO Original two-part documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, directed by Emmy® winners Susan Lacy (HBO’s Jane Fonda in Five Acts and Spielberg) and Jessica Levin (HBO’s The Janes and Jane Fonda in Five Acts). The documentary will debut on HBO and will be available to stream on Max in summer 2025. The premiere date was not revealed in the March 26 announcement.

Billy Joel: And So It Goes is described as an expansive portrait of the life and music of the superstar musician, exploring the love, loss, and personal struggles that fuel his songwriting. With unprecedented access to never-before-seen performances, home movies, and personal photographs, along with extensive, in-depth one-on-one interviews, the documentary intimately explores the life and work of Joel, whose music has endured across generations.

The documentary title is taken from the Joel song included on his 1989 #1 album, Storm Front. While being interviewed on the red carpet prior to the 2024 Grammy Awards, Joel was asked, “if you could pick one song that was the definitive… song of your entire catalog, what would it be?” His surprising answer was immediate, “And So It Goes.” The flummoxed interviewer, Laverne Cox, had clearly never heard of the song, and had no follow-up question.

In the announcement, Lacy said: “For those who think they know Joel’s story, as well as those who are not as familiar, I believe this two-part film is both a revelation and a surprise. I was drawn to his story as someone who knew little at the outset, and was astounded at how autobiographical his songs are and how complex his story is. We are gratified that Bill trusted us with his story, which we have told as honestly as possible, diving into territory which has not been explored before.”

Tom Hanks is listed as an executive producer along with Gary Goetzman, Todd Milliner, Sean Hayes, and Steve Cohen.

Joel announced on March 11 that he was postponing eight concerts due to recent surgery. Tickets for his shows later in the year are available here and here. Recent vinyl box sets of Joel’s catalog are available here and here.