Michael Jai White’s Jaigantic Studios is doing a biographical movie of Billy Joel, covering his early years. This was a controversial time for Billy because he signed a contract that turned out to be predatory (allegedly) so instead of recording a new album, Billy played piano in bars up and down the coast of California for two years. The song “Pianoman” is autobiographical in that respect.
But Billy Joel wants no part of it, and refuses to grant rights to any of his music or intellectual property to the movie. Apparently Jaigantic has secured the rights to tell the story of the manager and it may be from that perspective.
I’m a huge Billy Joel fan, and will probably watch the movie when it comes out eve it is it negative on Billy. I’m also a huge Michael Jai White fan. So I’ll watch his movies too.
I’m just fickle that way…
https://people.com/movies/billy-joel-not-granting-rights-to-music-likeness-piano-man-biopic/
