Jon Small

Jon Small
BornJanuary 3, 1947
Long Island, New York, US
DiedSeptember 4, 2026(2026-09-04) (aged 79)
West Palm Beach, Florida, US
GenresRock, soul
OccupationsDrummer, video director
InstrumentDrums
Years active1964–2026
Formerly ofThe Hassles, Attila

Jonathan Craig Small (January 3, 1947 – September 4, 2026) was an American drummer and director. He was the drummer for two groups in Billy Joel's early career, The Hassles and Attila, the latter of which was a duo consisting of Small and Joel. Small later became a music video director.

Early life

Small was born on Long Island, New York, on January 3, 1947. His father was a musician and his mother owned a wallpaper store.

Career

From 1964 to 1969, Small was the drummer for The Hassles, a psych rock/soul group who never achieved commercial success, but are best remembered for featuring a young Billy Joel. After the Hassles disbanded in 1969, Small and Joel formed the duo Attila. Active for only one year, they released a self-titled album, which notably was not received well, even being called "the worst album released in the history of rock & roll—hell, the history of recorded music itself" by AllMusic. Small and Joel's initial partnership came to an end in 1970, when Small's partner, Elizabeth, ran off with Joel. Small and Joel would reconcile years later, with Joel later admitting he regretted the affair when they reflected on the relationship in the 2025 documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes.

Small became a video director, shooting/directing music videos and concert films. He directed the music video for the "The Greatest Love of All" by Whitney Houston, "Walk This Way" by Aerosmith/Run-DMC, and "Standing Outside the Fire" by Garth Brooks. Small also directed music videos for Reba McEntire, Enrique Iglesias, Brooks & Dunn and The Highwaymen. Small would also start working with Joel again, helping shoot some of Joel's concert films, including Live From Long Island (1982) and Live at Shea Stadium (filmed 2008, released 2011), as well as directing the music video to his song "Baby Grand".

Personal life

Small was married to Elizabeth Weber until 1970. He was married to his second wife, Jeanine, for more than forty years, until Small's death. He had two children, one with each wife.

Death

Small died from cancer in West Palm Beach, Florida, on September 4, 2026, at the age of 79.

Credits

Drummer

Director/producer (live recordings)

References

  1. 1 2 Deb, Sopan (September 8, 2026). "Jon Small, Director and Early Billy Joel Collaborator, Dies at 79" – via NYTimes.com.
  2. 1 2 "Attila — Biography, Discography, Albums & Expert Reviews". AllMusic. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 Kreps, Daniel (September 10, 2026). "Billy Joel Pays Tribute to 'Best Friend' Jon Small: 'Like a Brother to Me'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  4. ↑ Friedman, Roger (September 10, 2026). "Billy Joel Mourns Original Bandmate and Friend Jon Small: "He Was Like a Brother to Me, We Shared a Bond That Never Changed"". Showbiz411. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Lynch, Jessica (September 8, 2026). "Billy Joel Mourns Death of Early Bandmate Jon Small". Billboard. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  6. ↑ Deb, Sopan (September 8, 2026). "Jon Small, Director and Early Billy Joel Collaborator, Dies at 79". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
  7. ↑ DeVille, Chris (September 7, 2026). "Jon Small, Drummer In Early Billy Joel Bands, Has Died". stereogum.com. Archived from the original on September 8, 2026. Retrieved September 9, 2026.
  8. 1 2 "Jon Small — Biography, Discography, Albums & Expert Reviews". AllMusic. Retrieved September 13, 2026.