Billy Joel Mourns Death of Early Bandmate and Video Director Jon Small

Billy Joel announced the death of Jon Small, his drummer in the early bands the Hassles and Attila who went on to become a respected music video and concert film director. Small died Friday, September 4, 2026, at age 79. Joel confirmed the news on Instagram on Monday, September 8, posting one photo of the two as young musicians and one recent picture together, captioned simply, “RIP Jon Small.”

• Small died at his home in West Palm Beach, Florida, according to his son, Sean Weber-Small.
• A funeral for Small was held Wednesday, September 9, 2026, in Great Neck, New York.
• He is survived by his wife, Jeanine Small, their daughter, and his son, Sean Weber-Small.
• Small directed the 1986 “Walk This Way” video for Aerosmith and Run-D.M.C. and earned a Grammy nomination for Joel’s “Live at Yankee Stadium” concert film.

How Jon Small and Billy Joel Started Out Together

Small helped found the Hassles in 1964 and later brought a teenage Joel into the lineup by offering him a free Hammond B3 organ to play. The retooled group signed with United Artists and put out two albums in the late 1960s, and Joel took over lead vocal duties from original singer John Dizek on the second record, 1969’s “Hour of the Wolf.”

Once the Hassles came apart, Small and Joel regrouped as a stripped-down, drums-and-organ hard rock act called Attila. Their sole self-titled record arrived on Epic Records in 1970 and became known for its punishing volume, later drawing a notorious label from an AllMusic critic as one of the worst albums ever made.

The Affair That Split Attila and the Fallout That Followed

Attila fell apart in 1971 after Joel began a relationship with Small’s wife, Elizabeth Weber. Weber divorced Small and married Joel in 1973; that marriage ended in divorce in 1982.

Joel has said that after the affair became known, he attempted suicide by drinking furniture polish, and that Small was the one who drove him to the hospital. The experience later shaped the song “Tomorrow Is Today” on Joel’s 1971 debut solo album, “Cold Spring Harbor.”

Jon Small’s Career Behind the Camera

The two men eventually rebuilt their friendship, and Small went on to direct music videos for Joel, including “Tell Her About It” and the Ray Charles duet “Baby Grand.” His work on Joel’s “Live at Yankee Stadium” concert film brought him a Grammy nomination.

Small’s directing career extended well beyond Joel’s catalog. He directed the 1986 “Walk This Way” video pairing Aerosmith with Run-D.M.C., and his credits include work with Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Rascal Flatts, Van Morrison, Anita Baker, Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston and Kenny Rogers.

What Caused Jon Small’s Death?

Reports on Small’s cause of death differ. Family members have said cancer was the cause, while much of the wider coverage of his death states that no official cause had been disclosed.

More Info

• Jon Small, of Billy Joel band The Hassles, dies at 79 | newsday.com
• Billy Joel mourns death of early bandmate Jon Small at 79 | aninews.in
• "We were so loud. You could see blood coming out of people’s ears." The strange but true story of Attila, Billy Joel’s pre-fame metal band, and "the worst album ever made" | Louder / Classic Rock
• Jon Small, Director and Early Billy Joel Collaborator, Dies at 79 | nytimes.com
• “He helped define the format with landmark videos and live concert recordings”: Billy Joel announces death of bandmate and collaborator | MusicRadar
• Billy Joel’s Early Bandmate Jon Small Dies | Ultimate Classic Rock
• Billy Joel mourns Jon Small, the bandmate whose wife he took and who filmed him for 30 years | lehighdaily.com
• Jon Small, Drummer In Early Billy Joel Bands, Has Died | Stereogum