Blab Entertainment
Jon Small, Long-Island Drummer and Music-Video Director, Dies at 79
On September 4, 2026, the Long Island music scene lost a drummer and visionary director whose rhythms and visuals helped shape an era. Jon Small, 79, passed away after a life that bridged the stage and the screen.
A longtime friend of Billy Joel, Small’s death was first confirmed by the pianist’s brief Instagram tribute on September 7. Joel posted a black‑and‑white photo of the two from their early years and simply captioned it “RIP Jon Small.”
Small grew up in the Levittown area of Hicksville and cut his teeth in the 1960s with Joel in the rock groups The Hassles and Attila. The two bands released two albums on United Artists Records before personal differences led to their split in 1970. Those early years were formative for both musicians; The Hassles were the first band to record Joel’s original songs.
After the breakup, Small turned to the visual side of the industry. He produced and directed videos for Joel’s hits such as “Tell Her About It,” “Piano Man,” and “Baby Grand.” In 1986 he directed the now‑classic video for Run D.M.C.’s and Aerosmith’s collaboration “Walk This Way,” a project that helped bridge rap and rock audiences. His résumé also includes work with Whitney Houston, Sting, Meatloaf, and Taylor Swift, according to the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame.
The relationship between Small and Joel was complicated by personal events. In the 1970s, Joel married Small’s wife, Elizabeth Weber Small. Joel later admitted in the 2005 documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes that he was involved with her and that the affair led to a confrontation in which Joel was punched. Joel said the incident caused him to attempt suicide, and Small drove him to the hospital. Small later stated that he forgave Joel for the betrayal, and the couple divorced in 1982.
In June 2025, the Hassles were inducted into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame. Small participated in a Glass Houses podcast that month, where he reflected on his career and described his collaboration with Garth Brooks as the “best” he had worked with. The podcast also served as a tribute to Small after his death.
Small’s obituary, published by a local memorial service provider, described him as “kind, approachable, generous with his time, and a wonderful conversation.” The obituary noted that he would be deeply missed by everyone whose lives he touched through his work and friendship.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, September 13, at noon in Great Neck. Small will be buried at New Montefiore Cemetery in West Babylon. No cause of death has been reported.
The music community has responded with a mix of remembrance and professional acknowledgment. Joel’s Instagram post was the first public confirmation of Small’s passing. Industry colleagues have highlighted Small’s contributions to the evolution of music video production and his role in shaping the visual presentation of 1980s pop and rock.
Small’s legacy extends beyond his early drumming. His directorial work on Walk This Way remains a touchstone for cross‑genre collaboration, and his later projects with high‑profile artists demonstrate his adaptability. The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame’s 2025 induction of the Hassles underscores the enduring influence of Small’s early career.
As the industry reflects on Small’s life, the focus remains on his tangible contributions: the rhythm he laid down in the 1960s, the videos he crafted in the 1980s, and the friendships he forged across decades. The memorial service will bring together those who shared his journey, ensuring that his impact on music and visual storytelling is remembered.
A longtime friend of Billy Joel, Small’s death was first confirmed by the pianist’s brief Instagram tribute on September 7. Joel posted a black‑and‑white photo of the two from their early years and simply captioned it “RIP Jon Small.”
Small grew up in the Levittown area of Hicksville and cut his teeth in the 1960s with Joel in the rock groups The Hassles and Attila. The two bands released two albums on United Artists Records before personal differences led to their split in 1970. Those early years were formative for both musicians; The Hassles were the first band to record Joel’s original songs.
After the breakup, Small turned to the visual side of the industry. He produced and directed videos for Joel’s hits such as “Tell Her About It,” “Piano Man,” and “Baby Grand.” In 1986 he directed the now‑classic video for Run D.M.C.’s and Aerosmith’s collaboration “Walk This Way,” a project that helped bridge rap and rock audiences. His résumé also includes work with Whitney Houston, Sting, Meatloaf, and Taylor Swift, according to the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame.
The relationship between Small and Joel was complicated by personal events. In the 1970s, Joel married Small’s wife, Elizabeth Weber Small. Joel later admitted in the 2005 documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes that he was involved with her and that the affair led to a confrontation in which Joel was punched. Joel said the incident caused him to attempt suicide, and Small drove him to the hospital. Small later stated that he forgave Joel for the betrayal, and the couple divorced in 1982.
In June 2025, the Hassles were inducted into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame. Small participated in a Glass Houses podcast that month, where he reflected on his career and described his collaboration with Garth Brooks as the “best” he had worked with. The podcast also served as a tribute to Small after his death.
Small’s obituary, published by a local memorial service provider, described him as “kind, approachable, generous with his time, and a wonderful conversation.” The obituary noted that he would be deeply missed by everyone whose lives he touched through his work and friendship.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, September 13, at noon in Great Neck. Small will be buried at New Montefiore Cemetery in West Babylon. No cause of death has been reported.
The music community has responded with a mix of remembrance and professional acknowledgment. Joel’s Instagram post was the first public confirmation of Small’s passing. Industry colleagues have highlighted Small’s contributions to the evolution of music video production and his role in shaping the visual presentation of 1980s pop and rock.
Small’s legacy extends beyond his early drumming. His directorial work on Walk This Way remains a touchstone for cross‑genre collaboration, and his later projects with high‑profile artists demonstrate his adaptability. The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame’s 2025 induction of the Hassles underscores the enduring influence of Small’s early career.
As the industry reflects on Small’s life, the focus remains on his tangible contributions: the rhythm he laid down in the 1960s, the videos he crafted in the 1980s, and the friendships he forged across decades. The memorial service will bring together those who shared his journey, ensuring that his impact on music and visual storytelling is remembered.
