The Untold Story Of Elizabeth Weber And Jon Small: New Revelations On The Affair That Inspired Billy Joel's 'Piano Man'

The enduring saga of Jon Small, Elizabeth Weber, and Billy Joel is one of rock and roll’s most famous and complex love triangles, a story that has remained shrouded in mystery for decades. As of December 12, 2025, the silence has finally been broken, offering a fresh, unprecedented perspective on the scandal that ultimately inspired some of Billy Joel’s most iconic music, including the classic "Piano Man."

Recent public statements from Elizabeth Weber herself, after remaining out of the spotlight for over 40 years, have shed new light on her first marriage to Jon Small—Billy Joel’s best friend and bandmate—and the subsequent controversial affair. These revelations challenge the long-held narrative, suggesting that the foundation of her relationship with Small was already fractured long before the legendary 'Piano Man' entered the picture. This is the definitive, updated look at the lives and careers of Jon Small and Elizabeth Weber.

The Complete Biography and Profile of Jon Small and Elizabeth Weber

The lives of Jon Small and Elizabeth Ann Weber are inextricably linked to the early, formative years of Billy Joel's career. While Elizabeth became known as the muse and manager who helped launch Joel's stardom, Jon Small's legacy extends far beyond being the 'betrayed' friend, establishing a groundbreaking career in his own right.

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• Full Name: Jon Small
• Occupation (Early): Drummer, Musician
• Occupation (Later): Pioneering Music Video Director, Producer
• Notable Bands: The Hassles (1964–1969), Attila (1970)
• Connection to Elizabeth Weber: First Husband (Married in the late 1960s)
• Current Status: Continues to work in video production and remains an associate of Billy Joel.

• Full Name: Elizabeth Ann Weber
• Born: Circa 1942 (Exact date unknown)
• Occupation: Former Music Manager, Muse
• Spouse 1: Jon Small (Married late 1960s, Divorced circa 1972)
• Spouse 2: Billy Joel (Married 1973, Divorced 1982)
• Children: One son from her first marriage (stepson to Billy Joel).
• Current Status: Recently resurfaced in 2025 after decades out of the public eye.

The Long Island Sound: From Bandmates to Bitter Rivals

The story of Jon Small and Elizabeth Weber begins deep within the burgeoning Long Island music scene of the 1960s. Jon Small was a talented drummer and a founding member of the blue-eyed soul group, The Hassles.

It was during this time that he formed a close bond with the band's keyboardist, a young and ambitious Billy Joel. The Hassles toured and recorded, but ultimately dissolved in 1969. Small and Joel decided to continue as a hard rock power duo, forming the band Attila in 1970.

Elizabeth Weber was Small's wife at the time, and she was an integral part of their small circle. She was known for her strong, straight-talking personality and independence, qualities that immediately captivated Billy Joel. Joel’s feelings for her were intense and immediate, a connection that quickly turned into a clandestine affair that would shatter the friendship between the two bandmates and effectively end the band Attila. The emotional turmoil from this period is famously captured in the song "She's Got a Way," which Joel wrote for Elizabeth.

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The affair was a devastating blow to Jon Small. The betrayal by his best friend and his wife led to a period of deep personal crisis for the drummer. However, the recent 2025 comments from Elizabeth Weber offer a nuanced perspective on the split. She publicly defended Billy Joel against the long-standing "homewrecker" accusation, stating that her marriage to Jon Small was already lacking a "deep connection." She indicated that the relationship was far from perfect, suggesting the romance with Joel was not the cause of the marriage's end, but rather a symptom of its existing flaws.

The Muse, The Manager, and The 'Piano Man'

Following the divorce from Jon Small, Elizabeth Ann Weber married Billy Joel in 1973. This period was crucial for Joel’s career, as Elizabeth took on the role of his manager, guiding him through the early stages of his solo stardom. She was a shrewd businesswoman who helped him navigate the tumultuous music industry, protecting his interests and securing crucial deals. This dynamic is a significant part of their joint legacy.

Elizabeth's influence is woven into the fabric of Joel’s most famous work. She is widely cited as the inspiration for the waitress character in "Piano Man," a song written during a low point in Joel's career when he was playing a gig in Los Angeles under the pseudonym Bill Martin. Furthermore, her complex and captivating nature is believed to have inspired other songs, including "You’re My Home" and "Everybody Loves You Now."

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Their tumultuous marriage lasted until 1982. After their divorce, Elizabeth retreated almost completely from the public eye, maintaining a deliberate distance from the celebrity spotlight. This decades-long silence only amplified the curiosity surrounding her role in the famous love triangle.

Jon Small's Post-Affair Triumph: A Career in Directing

While Elizabeth and Billy Joel’s marriage was dominating headlines, Jon Small quietly embarked on a remarkable second act that cemented his legacy as a creative force in the music industry. Instead of remaining solely defined by the betrayal, Small pivoted his career from being a drummer to becoming a pioneering music video director and producer.

In the era before MTV, Small was at the forefront of the visual revolution in music. He directed and produced hundreds of videos, working with a diverse range of high-profile artists. His transition from the stage to behind the camera demonstrated incredible resilience and a keen eye for the emerging medium. His success in this field has been recognized by the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, highlighting his significant contribution to music visuals.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this entire saga is the eventual reconciliation between Jon Small and Billy Joel. Despite the devastating personal history, the two men managed to repair their friendship. Small has since worked on various projects with Joel, including directing his concert videos and contributing to the production side of his live performances, showcasing a profound capacity for forgiveness and professional partnership that few would have predicted.

The 2025 Resurfacing: Why Elizabeth Weber Broke Her Silence

The recent reemergence of Elizabeth Weber in 2025, after decades of intentional privacy, has captivated fans and media alike. Her decision to speak out, particularly in the context of defending Billy Joel and clarifying her relationship with Jon Small, suggests a desire to correct the historical record and offer her own truth.

Her participation in recent projects related to Billy Joel’s history—likely a documentary or retrospective—signals a willingness to finally confront the past that defined her public life. By stating that she "never thought of Bill as the homewrecker," Elizabeth provided a crucial piece of context: the marriage to Jon Small was already over in spirit, making the affair a complicated consequence rather than the sole cause of the breakup.

This new wave of information confirms that the story of Jon Small, Elizabeth Weber, and Billy Joel is not just a cautionary tale of betrayal, but a complex narrative of ambition, deep emotional ties, and professional resilience. It's a testament to the fact that even decades later, the truth behind the inspiration for rock and roll’s most beloved songs can still hold surprising and fresh revelations.