This is all Morrissey's fault.

Having a boyfriend named Jimmy Riot couldn't have helped.

Has there been confirmation that this was an actual suicide attempt? The other coverage I've seen said only that Joel overdosed, but not much more than that...

I liked her first CD, and also found her to be surprisingly good looking, considering how much she looked like her dad when she was a child. I hope she gets whatever help she needs.

The only thing I've read is that Newsday article. I would guess more info will come out in a day or two.

Having a supermodel mom doesn't hurt.

I'm so sorry to hear that. I'm glad she's getting help. It's a sad thing. I have unfortunetely had no less than 2 online friends say they were suicidal online in the last few months. They were basically hinting that they wanted to die. One of them has now disappeared, though they seemed better for awhile before that. The other friend I'm not sure about. I'm worried about her and a friend and I are PMing her because she hinted at wanting to leave this world, but we're not sure if she's serious or just feeling down right now. I hope Alexa will be ok.

I always hate to hear people who threaten suicide over the breakup of a boyfriend/ girlfriend. It seems this is the case in this story.
We're not sure if she's always had depression or is this just a bad time for her.

The good news is she will get help if she wants it. That is the key though.

Very sad news, as we all know Billy loves her so. If it is a pending or current break-up of a boyfriend that could do it.

As for Francine I hope you hear very shortly from your online friends. You sound like you are a good friend who is there for them so thoughts are with you. So many suffer from depression ( I believe I read one of every four) will have bouts.

That's one of the reasons I rock as much as I do. I need to reflect, purge and "clear the mind" and music has always been the best therapy. I sure many would attest to this on this board.

Rick A.

I don't recall Billy losing a wife to suicide. Could you elaborate on this one.

I agree Rick, Music has been a constant pleasure for me and it keep me sane. It is the one thing I latched onto as a young kid and its been with me all my life. I'm never very far from music.

Chris, I am not sure now. Let me delete that line until I research this.

Rick A.

I know he divorced his first wife Elizabeth, who was his manager and we all know he divorced Christie Brinkley. And his current marriage is also headed for divorce court as well. Billy has not had much luck with marriage. He should talk to Gene $immons for his thoughts on marriage.

Yeah, Billy lost much of his money early in his career to mismanagement.

Discovered this today:

Depression
Joel battled many years with depression. In 1970, a career downturn and personal problems aggravated his condition. He left a suicide note (which became the lyrics to "Tomorrow Is Today") and attempted to commit suicide by drinking furniture polish, saying later, "I drank furniture polish. It looked tastier than bleach."[13] His drummer, Jon Small, rushed him to the hospital. Joel checked into Meadowbrook Hospital, where he was put on suicide watch and received treatment for depression.[32] Joel later recorded "You're Only Human (Second Wind)" as a message to help prevent teen suicide.

Rick A.

His brother in law from his first marriage, Frank Weber, took over his management after the divorce and screwed him out of millions.

Thank you, Rick. I'm hopeful that they're ok. I'm trying to keep in touch with them and I appreciate what you're saying. Yes, depression is a serious thing. And the way I see it, threatening to commit suicide is a cry for help, even if it's for attention. It says something's not right with a person. And if it is serious that person definitely needs iintervention.

Went to breakfast with my girlfriend today and spoke about the issues noted here in this post.

My confusion was with that not Billy Joel (even though he had his own terrible personal issues with suicide) but the artist was Art Garfunkel and his actress girlfriend Laurie Bird.

She hooked up with Art Garfunkel. They left L.A. together and returned to New York to live in his Manhattan penthouse. Also a photographer, Bird shot the jacket photos for Garf's 1978 Watermark LP (she also shot stills for Cockfighter). She took a minor role in Annie Hall, playing Paul Simon's girlfriend. Still wonder why she killed herself? She went from Two Lane Blacktop & Cockfighter to being sandwiched between Simon and Garfunkel. In 1979, at age 25, while Garf was away shooting the Nicolas Roeg film Bad Timing, Bird offed herself in his apartment by overdosing on valium, citing depression in her suicide note. At her funeral, Bird's father revealed that her mother had also committed suicide.
Charles Willeford: "(Bird) leaped out of a window and killed herself in New York. She was with a famous pop singer when she defenestrated herself, and he was quite upset by her suicide."

Monte Hellman: "Although the overdose of valium was not accidental, Laurie expected Art Garfunkel to arrive momentarily and save her, and therefore didn't intend to die."


Rick A.

On a newscast this morning, it was reported that the facts weren't known yet (suicide attempt vs. accident). However, I would think that the drug-use is a cry for help. Obviously, something is missing in her life that she's trying to replace with the drugs. "Show-Biz Kids", indeed. I hope she will get the help she needs.

Jim