The allaccess biography and unprecedented look at the life, career, and legacy of a pintsized kid from Long Island who became a music legend Exhibiting unparalleled intimate knowledge, Schruers chronicles Joel8217s rise to the top of the charts, from his workingclass origins in Levittown and early days spent in boxing rings and sweaty clubs to his monumental success in the seventies and eighties He also explores Joel8217s creative transformation in the nineties, his dream performance with Paul McCartney at Shea Stadium in 2008, and beyond Along the way, Schruers reveals the stories behind all the key events and relationships8212including Joel8217s highprofile marriages and legal battles8212that defined his path to stardom and inspired his signature songs, such as 8220Piano Man,8221 8220Scenes from an Italian Restaurant,8221 8220New York State of Mind,8221 and 8220She8217s Always a Woman 8221 Throughout, he captures the spirit of a restless artist determined to break through by sharing, in his deeply personal lyrics, the dreams and heartbreaks of suburban American life Comprehensive, vibrantly written, and filled with Joel8217s memories and reflections8212as well as those of the family, friends, and band members who have formed his inner circle, including Christie Brinkley, Alexa Ray Joel, Jon Small, and Steve Cohen8212this is the definitive account of a beloved rock star8217s epic American journey