(NewsNation) — Billy Joel’s personal and professional life comes to a head in a new documentary highlighting one of rock n’ roll’s greatest icons.

“And So It Goes” — a five-hour tale from HBO — takes Joel’s fans on a wild ride from his very humble beginnings as a young man from Hicksville, New York, and examines how he became one of the most innovative people in his craft.

“He has 121 songs in his catalog and we used over 110,” co-director Jessica Levin told The Guardian. “It was a goal of ours to use it as score, not just throw it in. It’s a testament to the depth and breadth of his catalog that we were able to do that.”

Throughout the documentary, Joel’s ups and downs spotlighted. His stubborn, self-destructive, and pugnacious ways nearly derailed his career and personal life. One part of the program chronicles his affair with Elizabeth Weber. Before he was the “Piano Man,” Joel had been living with “Attlia” bandmate Jon Small, Weber (Small’s wife), and their son.

“I was just in love with a woman, and I got punched in the nose, which I deserved,” Joel says in the documentary. “I felt very, very guilty about it. They had a child, you know? I felt like a homewrecker.” 

In addition, the documentary also details Joel’s discography and how his songs go back to his past life experiences, and how those helped him rise to prominence. From “The Entertainer” to “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me” to “Big Shot,” all of his tunes take you on a journey.

“I always look at it as a gift when he walks on stage,” said Steve Cohen, executive producer of the documentary. “I can’t predict. I do know that the Billy Joel that I had dinner with last night, that’s the Billy Joel that I know. So, look, it’s up to him. If he feels like he wants to, you know, ‘play’ Billy Joel on stage again, we’re all gonna be there for him.”

Joel, 76, was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) back in May, which caused him to cancel his remaining tour dates in North America and England.

“This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance,” according to a statement from Joel’s team. “Under his doctor’s instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period.”

Joel wrapped up his decadelong residency at Madison Square Garden in July 2024,