Billy Joel Biopic Piano Man is in the Works, But with a Tiny Hiccup

Vienna waits for you… just without the Piano Man himself.

A biopic, titled Piano Man, about Billy Joel is in the works at Michael Jai White’s Jaigantic Studios, but the singer-songwriter is in no way involved in the project.

Variety first reported the news about the feature, which will be written and directed by Adam Ripp.

The film will follow Joel’s early life, from being discovered by Irwin Mazur to his 1972 performance that caught Clive Davis’ attention.

This move comes as Jaigantic has acquired the life rights to Mazur, who managed The Hassles, the band Joel was in before the singer went solo with his hit album Piano Man in 1973.

Representative of the singer said that Joel is not involved in the making of this film in any capacity, and “no rights in music, name/likeness or life story will be granted.”

However, the studio’s reps said that the music needs for the film are yet to be determined as their story “focuses on the first stage of Mr. Joel’s career.”

The film’s director has another link to Joel as his father, Artie Ripp, was the one who signed Joel to his first record deal as a solo artist and produced his debut album, Cold Spring Harbor.

Billy Joel has been a part of my life since my father signed him to his record label when I was 4 years old; his music is ingrained in my DNA, and it’s been a dream of mine as a filmmaker to explore and celebrate the untold story of how Billy Joel became the Piano Man.

Adam Ripp

Mazur added that this was “a dream come true” and that the film will entail details that “shaped Billy from a keyboard player in the local Long Island band, The Hassles, into the iconic musician, singer-songwriter, and entertainer who thrills audiences around the world, today.”

Joel has five Grammy wins to his name with 23 nominations and is considered one of the best-selling artists of all time, with over 160 million records sold worldwide.

Piano Man will be executive produced by Jaigantic Studios with producers White, Mayne Berke and Donovan de Boer, Mazur, and Ripp. Cast and other details about the project are still unknown.

About Piano Man

Piano Man is an upcoming biopic about Billy Joel by Michael Jai White’s Jaigantic Studios, with Adam Ripp writing and directing.

The biopic will be executive produced by Jaigantic Studios with producers White, Mayne Berke, Donovan de Boer, Mazur, and Ripp.

The story will follow Joel’s early years — from being discovered by Irwin Mazur to his breakout performance in 1972 that captured the attention of Clive Davis. The film will explore and celebrate the untold story of how Billy Joel became the Piano Man.