Billy Joel explains his problem with Elton John comparison: “I don’t want to sound like Elton”
In his new 2025 documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, the singer admitted that he had issues with being compared to Elton John consistently throughout his career.
After releasing the 1974 album Streetlife Serenade, Joel was keen to find a professional manager. His business manager and first wife, Elizabeth Weber, was subsequently suggested to Caribou Management, where James Guercio worked. He had been instrumental in the success of the Beach Boys and Chicago, and he believed Billy Joel would be a great fit for Elton John’s band.
The ‘Vienna’ singer did not like the sound of this, explaining in the documentary: “Why would I want to work with the other well-known piano player’s band? The lack of imagination was staggering and I was already having critical issues with people comparing me to Elton.”
In the documentary, he revealed that he did try to work with Elton’s band, but it didn’t feel right. He explained, “They were good musicians, but they didn’t get it. It sounded like Elton, and I said, ‘I don’t want to sound like Elton; I want to sound like me.’ I left. I said,’ This isn’t going to work.’
Musically, the comparison was baffling to Joel. He explained: “Elton’s style is very rhythmic,” while his own technique is “five fingered,” and with “more movement stuff.” He also revealed that “it took a while for people to get away from using the Elton John comparison. I think it’s pretty much died down at this point – I hope so!”
Despite the rivalry created and proliferated by fans and critics, Billy and Elton repeatedly went on tour between 1994 and 2010, dubbing it Face to Face. The tour ended with John criticising Joel for not releasing new music and also claiming the singer’s troubles with alcoholism led to the cancellation of shows, but they later mended their relationship. Joel has also been sober for several years.
Billy Joel: And So It Goes will be available to view in the UK on Now TV in 2026.
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