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Jon Small news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Jon Small, drummer in Billy Joel's early bands, died Friday. He later directed music videos for Garth Brooks and others.
Background
Jon Small was a drummer in Billy Joel's early bands the Hassles and Attila. After a falling out with Joel over Joel's relationship with Small's wife, they reconciled, and Small became a successful music video and concert director, working with artists like Garth Brooks, Aerosmith, and Run-DMC.
How it unfolded
- Sep 4, 2026Jon Small passed away, according to a Facebook announcement by a longtime friend.
- Sep 7, 2026Billy Joel paid tribute on Instagram with 'RIP Jon Small'; news outlets reported his death.
- Sep 9, 2026Funeral service scheduled in Great Neck, New York; burial at New Montefiore Cemetery in West Babylon.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- The Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame expressed sadness, noting Small was an inductee and 'a pleasure to work with.'
- Public
- Friend Gigi Shapiro wrote on Facebook that Small 'started out in a band called The Hassles with Billy Joel' and had a 'huge career as a director and producer.'
Still unverified
Cause of death not reported; age reported as late 70s or 77, but not confirmed.