Latest news with #Nas
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Saints storm home in crazy finish against Demons
St Kilda have pulled off the greatest three-quarter-time comeback in VFL/AFL history, storming home from 46 points down to stun Melbourne in a crazy finish at Marvel Stadium. Off-contract star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera was the hero, slotting two goals in a frantic climax to pinch a miracle six-point victory. The Saints slotted nine unanswered goals in the final term to win 15.6 (96) to 13.12 (90). It pips the previous the best last quarter revival, when the Brisbane Bears came from 45 points down at the final break to beat Hawthorn in 1995. Wanganeen-Milera calmly slotted his third goal after flying for a soaring mark with less than 20 seconds remaining. That levelled the scores, before a 6-6-6 penalty in the middle was paid against the Demons, to the confusion of all players. Saints ruck Rowan Marshall was able to perfectly pick out Wanganeen-Milera running inside 50 to take a mark just before the siren sounded. Any score would have given the Saints victory, but Wanganeen-Milera went back and kicked the goal, to a raucous reaction from the crowd. "Underneath the exterior, I can get emotional," St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said, who was in disbelief watching in the box. "A little bit watery when Nas took that mark. "I think it's just that emotion, just for the players, just for them. "Our young players never gave up, and our leaders never gave up, and they found a way." Lyon also revealed Wanganeen-Milera, who had a game-high 34 disposals alongside his match-winning four goals, was in doubt to play due to a stye in his eye. "I had a sleep-in this morning. Got up, make my coffee. I see four missed calls from the doctor," Lyon said. "Experience tells me this can't be good. "He said 'Nas has come in' and they upped his antibiotics, given him an injection. "I rang him (Wanganeen-Milera), he goes, 'No, I'll be right'. "I just said, 'If you're not right, no pressure, we'll tap you out'. "He just let us know so it was a good story." St Kilda are desperate to keep Wanganeen-Milera as he entertains large offers from both South Australian clubs. This performance, one of the best individual efforts of the season, will only lift his value even further. Melbourne forward Bayley Fritsch broke the game open with three first-quarter goals, giving his side a 25-point buffer. The Demons, inspired by tackling machine Jack Viney (16 tackles) extended their lead during every quarter to cruise into the last break seemingly destined for a seventh-straight win. Instead, their capitulation ended a six-game losing run for the Saints, with their last victory also against Melbourne in June when they pipped the inaccurate Demons in Alice Springs. Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin was left gobsmacked at losing from such a position of dominance. "Devastating loss, clearly," he said. "We didn't defend and pressure as well as we were early in the game. "Then basically late in the game, we didn't handle the pressure, we didn't handle the moment, and we didn't handle the tight game scenarios like we should have, and that's on all of us. "We'll own that together." St Kilda youngster Lance Collard injured his foot in the first quarter, tried to play on, but was subbed out in the second term for Hugh Boxshall and ended the match on crutches. Melbourne defender Jake Bowey could be in some trouble with the match review officer after a potential dangerous tackle on St Kilda forward Jack Higgins just before halftime. St Kilda have pulled off the greatest three-quarter-time comeback in VFL/AFL history, storming home from 46 points down to stun Melbourne in a crazy finish at Marvel Stadium. Off-contract star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera was the hero, slotting two goals in a frantic climax to pinch a miracle six-point victory. The Saints slotted nine unanswered goals in the final term to win 15.6 (96) to 13.12 (90). It pips the previous the best last quarter revival, when the Brisbane Bears came from 45 points down at the final break to beat Hawthorn in 1995. Wanganeen-Milera calmly slotted his third goal after flying for a soaring mark with less than 20 seconds remaining. That levelled the scores, before a 6-6-6 penalty in the middle was paid against the Demons, to the confusion of all players. Saints ruck Rowan Marshall was able to perfectly pick out Wanganeen-Milera running inside 50 to take a mark just before the siren sounded. Any score would have given the Saints victory, but Wanganeen-Milera went back and kicked the goal, to a raucous reaction from the crowd. "Underneath the exterior, I can get emotional," St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said, who was in disbelief watching in the box. "A little bit watery when Nas took that mark. "I think it's just that emotion, just for the players, just for them. "Our young players never gave up, and our leaders never gave up, and they found a way." Lyon also revealed Wanganeen-Milera, who had a game-high 34 disposals alongside his match-winning four goals, was in doubt to play due to a stye in his eye. "I had a sleep-in this morning. Got up, make my coffee. I see four missed calls from the doctor," Lyon said. "Experience tells me this can't be good. "He said 'Nas has come in' and they upped his antibiotics, given him an injection. "I rang him (Wanganeen-Milera), he goes, 'No, I'll be right'. "I just said, 'If you're not right, no pressure, we'll tap you out'. "He just let us know so it was a good story." St Kilda are desperate to keep Wanganeen-Milera as he entertains large offers from both South Australian clubs. This performance, one of the best individual efforts of the season, will only lift his value even further. Melbourne forward Bayley Fritsch broke the game open with three first-quarter goals, giving his side a 25-point buffer. The Demons, inspired by tackling machine Jack Viney (16 tackles) extended their lead during every quarter to cruise into the last break seemingly destined for a seventh-straight win. Instead, their capitulation ended a six-game losing run for the Saints, with their last victory also against Melbourne in June when they pipped the inaccurate Demons in Alice Springs. Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin was left gobsmacked at losing from such a position of dominance. "Devastating loss, clearly," he said. "We didn't defend and pressure as well as we were early in the game. "Then basically late in the game, we didn't handle the pressure, we didn't handle the moment, and we didn't handle the tight game scenarios like we should have, and that's on all of us. "We'll own that together." St Kilda youngster Lance Collard injured his foot in the first quarter, tried to play on, but was subbed out in the second term for Hugh Boxshall and ended the match on crutches. Melbourne defender Jake Bowey could be in some trouble with the match review officer after a potential dangerous tackle on St Kilda forward Jack Higgins just before halftime. St Kilda have pulled off the greatest three-quarter-time comeback in VFL/AFL history, storming home from 46 points down to stun Melbourne in a crazy finish at Marvel Stadium. Off-contract star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera was the hero, slotting two goals in a frantic climax to pinch a miracle six-point victory. The Saints slotted nine unanswered goals in the final term to win 15.6 (96) to 13.12 (90). It pips the previous the best last quarter revival, when the Brisbane Bears came from 45 points down at the final break to beat Hawthorn in 1995. Wanganeen-Milera calmly slotted his third goal after flying for a soaring mark with less than 20 seconds remaining. That levelled the scores, before a 6-6-6 penalty in the middle was paid against the Demons, to the confusion of all players. Saints ruck Rowan Marshall was able to perfectly pick out Wanganeen-Milera running inside 50 to take a mark just before the siren sounded. Any score would have given the Saints victory, but Wanganeen-Milera went back and kicked the goal, to a raucous reaction from the crowd. "Underneath the exterior, I can get emotional," St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said, who was in disbelief watching in the box. "A little bit watery when Nas took that mark. "I think it's just that emotion, just for the players, just for them. "Our young players never gave up, and our leaders never gave up, and they found a way." Lyon also revealed Wanganeen-Milera, who had a game-high 34 disposals alongside his match-winning four goals, was in doubt to play due to a stye in his eye. "I had a sleep-in this morning. Got up, make my coffee. I see four missed calls from the doctor," Lyon said. "Experience tells me this can't be good. "He said 'Nas has come in' and they upped his antibiotics, given him an injection. "I rang him (Wanganeen-Milera), he goes, 'No, I'll be right'. "I just said, 'If you're not right, no pressure, we'll tap you out'. "He just let us know so it was a good story." St Kilda are desperate to keep Wanganeen-Milera as he entertains large offers from both South Australian clubs. This performance, one of the best individual efforts of the season, will only lift his value even further. Melbourne forward Bayley Fritsch broke the game open with three first-quarter goals, giving his side a 25-point buffer. The Demons, inspired by tackling machine Jack Viney (16 tackles) extended their lead during every quarter to cruise into the last break seemingly destined for a seventh-straight win. Instead, their capitulation ended a six-game losing run for the Saints, with their last victory also against Melbourne in June when they pipped the inaccurate Demons in Alice Springs. Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin was left gobsmacked at losing from such a position of dominance. "Devastating loss, clearly," he said. "We didn't defend and pressure as well as we were early in the game. "Then basically late in the game, we didn't handle the pressure, we didn't handle the moment, and we didn't handle the tight game scenarios like we should have, and that's on all of us. "We'll own that together." St Kilda youngster Lance Collard injured his foot in the first quarter, tried to play on, but was subbed out in the second term for Hugh Boxshall and ended the match on crutches. Melbourne defender Jake Bowey could be in some trouble with the match review officer after a potential dangerous tackle on St Kilda forward Jack Higgins just before halftime.
CBS News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Savannah Bananas, Lucy Dacus, Nas, Diplo's Run Club, more things to do in Philly this weekend
Weather aside, this weekend is going to be a hot one, Philly! The fun begins with Lucy Dacus as she kicks off Make the World Better Concert Weekend in FDR Park. Rap icon Nas is also taking the stage in Philly with the Philadelphia Orchestra Friday night. The fun continues as the iconic Savannah Bananas are coming to town for two Banana Ball games Saturday and Sunday. Plus, it's the final weekend to catch "Life of Pi" at the Academy of Music. Here's what else is going on in the Philadelphia region this weekend. Citizens Bank Park is going bananas this weekend! That's because the one, the only Savannah Bananas are bringing their signature tricks and gimmicks to South Philly for two games of pure Banana Ball against the Texas Tailgaters this weekend. A Savannah Bananas game is not your mother's baseball game. Between the team's circus-like skills, plus the special rules of Banana Ball, guests are in for a truly entertaining and eventful performance. Tickets to see the 2025 Banana Ball World Tour will cost you a bit, however. Tickets to Saturday's 7 p.m. game start at $96, while tickets for Sunday's 3:30 p.m. game start at $120. Considered one of the greatest rappers of all time, Nas, will be in Philadelphia this week for a very special performance. Nasir with The Philadelphia Orchestra will be performing Illmatic: Live at the TD Pavilion at The Mann on Friday, rain or shine. His debut album, Illamtic, was released on April 19, 1994, making the album 31 years old. Aging like fine wine, this album put the Queensbridge, New York, native on the map, eventually becoming platinum. Tickets start at $47. Doors open at 6 p.m. and showtime is expected to start at 8 p.m. The Grammy Award-winning emcee has 17 albums under his belt, with a new collaborative project with DJ Premier expected to be released this year. The star-studded Make the World Better Concert Weekend takes over FDR Park this weekend. On Friday, catch singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus with Hop Along and Jay Som starting at 5:30 p.m. It's sure to be a special night with Dacus, who previously lived in Philly and has said her song "Modigliani" was inspired by art at the Barnes Foundation, one of her favorite museums. Her latest album, "Forever is a Feeling," was released in March. Dacus also performs as part of the band Boy Genius with Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker. General admission tickets start at $75 online. Remi Wolf will take center stage on Sunday as part of the concert weekend at FDR Park. The "Disco Man" singer will be joined by Annie DiRusso for the show, which starts at 5:30 p.m. Prices to see Remi Wolf and Annie DiRusso on Sunday start at $79. Start your Saturday with some morning miles and music as Diplo joins the fun at FDR Park. The Temple grad is bringing Diplo's Run Club to Philly for the first time. The 5K run starts at 8:30 a.m., and you can celebrate your achievement at the post-race concert. A-Trak performs at 9 a.m., followed by Diplo at 10 a.m. Tickets for the race and concert start at $75 (before fees) online, and spectator-only tickets are $52. You'll have to pick up your race packet on Friday at Union Transfer. Fans of Dave Matthews Band will be crashing into Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, New Jersey, on Friday and Saturday as the iconic '90s jam band returns to the Philadelphia area. Two-day lawn tickets are available on Ticketmaster. Tickets can also be purchased on third-party sites, such as SeatGeek and StubHub. The shows will be Dave Matthews Band's 49th and 50th time playing Freedom Mortgage Pavilion. Dave Matthews has played the venue solo once in his touring career. The band, active since 1991, has sold over 32 million albums in the U.S. Sam Hunt loves a "House Party," but this Friday, he's calling all country music fans for a night out in Atlantic City. Known for smash hits like "Body Like A Back Road," "Take Your Time," and "Leave the Night On," Sam Hunt is bringing his 2025 summer tour to the Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena in Atlantic City Friday night. Fellow country musician Austin Williams will kick off the show ahead of Sam Hunt. Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets start at $105. The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival is back, illuminating Franklin Square for visitors all summer long. This year's festival celebrates the Year of the Snake and features over 1,000 sculptures placed in nearly 40 brand-new lantern displays. Visitors can also enjoy authentic Chinese food, immerse themselves in cultural performances and watch the magic continue with the Franklin Square Fountain Show! The Chinese Lantern Festival is open from 6-11 p.m. every night. Guests can purchase their tickets online. Theater fans looking for a motivational performance showcasing a story of perseverance, hope and stunning visuals – look no further than the Academy of Music's latest feature in their Broadway Series. Based on the best-selling novel and Oscar Award-winning movie, "Life of Pi," the play is now at the Academy of Music on South Broad Street through Sunday. "Told with jaw-dropping visuals, world-class puppetry, and exquisite stagecraft, Life of Pi creates a breathtaking journey that will leave you filled with awe and joy," a description of the performance read in part on Ensemble Arts Philly's website. Tickets are available online for Friday night's show, Saturday's matinee and night performance, as well as Sunday's matinee performance. The Delaware State Fair is going out with a bang this weekend, as it closes out its 10-day event extravaganza. The annual celebration is the longest-running and largest fair in Delmarva, beginning back in 1919, according to the fair's website. The final weekend of this family-friendly festival will surely not disappoint. Rapper T.I. and country duo Big & Rich are both scheduled to perform. Additionally, both Friday and Saturday feature a 12-hour lineup of activities for guests to choose from throughout the day. A full lineup of the final weekend's activities is available online. The Delaware State Fair opens at 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Traffic congestion hits new peak in Chakan MIDC belt
1 2 Pune: What was once a short and manageable commute has now turned into a daily nightmare for thousands of industrial workers travelling to Chakan MIDC. With traffic congestion worsening year after year, workers say their travel times have nearly tripled, and it is taking a toll on their routine, income, and mental health. Employees said journeys that earlier took 20-25 minutes now stretch to two hours, forcing them to leave home earlier and often return late. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune "Most companies have biometric attendance systems. Arriving even 15 minutes late results in being marked absent, causing salary deductions," said a Moshi resident, who commutes daily to Chakan MIDC. Ravindra Lite, a resident of Bharat Mata Chowk in Moshi, has been working at Chakan MIDC for the past 19 years. "I used to stay in Nigdi, 17km from my company. Six years ago, I shifted to Moshi because it is closer (12km away) and I hoped to get more time to spend with my family. But now, due to daily congestion, I end up spending more time on the road than before," he said. His travel time increased from 40-45 minutes to nearly two hours. Lite added that if he arrives late, he has to stay back at work to complete his 8.5-hour shift. Utkrant Chopade, a resident of Dehu-Alandi Road and an employee at Chakan MIDC for six years, said traffic has worsened significantly in the past two years. "I now leave home half an hour early to make it on time. But I still get caught in snarls, especially because of heavy vehicles. The return journey is just as bad; I reach home 30 minutes later daily," he said. The worsening congestion on Pune-Nashik Road and Talegaon-Shikrapur Road — the two critical routes connecting to Chakan MIDC — has sparked protests from local residents and industrialists, who are demanding immediate action from authorities. Chakan resident Pratik Jadhav expressed frustration over the poor condition of roads and lack of accountability for their upkeep. "The roads are in terrible shape, and the agencies responsible, PMRDA, MIDC, and NHAI, keep blaming each other instead of fixing the issue. This, coupled with congestion, has led to fatal accidents in the area," he said. Industrialist and Chakan resident Prashant Tope echoed concerns, stating that industry vehicles and employees are stuck in traffic on a daily basis. "Authorities have failed to respond to our repeated complaints. They skipped essential pre-monsoon maintenance, and now the roads are filled with potholes, making things worse," he said. Dhiraj Mutke, another local, said residents and industrialists held a protest last week to highlight concerns. "Following this, a meeting was held by the PMRDA commissioner with officials from all agencies concerned. But we remain sceptical. These issues have existed for years, and we have only received empty assurances so far," he said. Last year, Central govt approved funds for the proposed Nashik Phata-Rajgurunagar elevated corridor, but it remains delayed due to pending tendering procedures. Similarly, work on the Chakan-Shikrapur road, for which funds were approved earlier this year from state govt, is yet to begin. PMRDA commissioner Yogesh Mhase told TOI that they have identified around seven roads that need to be developed on priority so that the congestion problem can be solved to some extent. "We are also planning another anti-encroachment drive to restore the full width of existing roads," he said, adding that although a similar drive was conducted earlier, encroachments have reappeared, re-narrowing the roads and worsening traffic flow. Mhase further said that other issues were also discussed in a meeting with all agencies concerned on Wednesday. "MSRDC has been tasked with repairing Talegaon-Shikrapur Road and filling potholes on a priority basis, while NHAI will focus on developing two-metre shoulders along the Pune-Nashik Highway," he said. Delays in several road projects due to land acquisition hurdles were also discussed. "It was decided that PMRDA will intervene and attempt to acquire land through transfer of development rights (TDR) wherever possible to speed up pending works," Mhase said. Vivek Patil, DCP (traffic) of Pimpri Chinchwad, told TOI that they have already banned movement of heavy vehicles between 8am to 11am and 5pm to 8pm on the problem stretches. "Traffic personnel and wardens were also increased earlier. We plan to deploy 10 traffic personnel and an officer in the region to manage the situation," he said.
Business Insider
21-07-2025
- Business Insider
When our twins went to camp for the first time, we went to Las Vegas. Taking time to reconnect was the best parenting decision.
We sent our 10-year-old twins to sleepaway camp for the first time this month. I was nervous, but I realized it gave my husband and me an opportunity to get away, too. We decided to spend two nights in Las Vegas together and had a chance to reconnect. Earlier this month, my 10-year-old twins went to sleepaway camp for the first time — the same Southern California camp I attended for 11 summers in the '80s and '90s. It's a place where I know magic happens, and I knew it would be an important (and hopefully also joyful) rite of passage. There were nerves, of course. My son worried he wouldn't know anyone and might struggle to make friends. I worried they wouldn't brush their teeth or wear adequate sunscreen — typical mom fare. But ultimately, I knew this would help them build independence. And as sentimental as I felt about watching them take this leap, I also realized this rare moment presented a window of opportunity for my husband and me — one we hadn't had in years. So we booked a grown-up getaway to Las Vegas while they were at camp, aiming to reclaim a little space for ourselves during a rare window of opportunity. As any parent of young kids will tell you, carving out time as a couple is a constant struggle. We each travel for work individually, but getting away together is nearly impossible between school, homework, extracurriculars, and emotional support (not to mention physical childcare). The logistics of parenting leave little room for spontaneity — or romance. But with our kids fully supervised and immersed in summer camp life, we had five glorious days to remember what it feels like to be self-actualized people — not just parents. We let ourselves luxuriate, and food was a highlight We decided to spend two of those nights in nearby Las Vegas, staying at Crockfords, the most luxurious of the three hotels within the Resorts World complex. It felt elevated from the moment we stepped into the serene, artfully designed lobby. Both nights, we enjoyed dressing up for dinner. We ate at Nobu in Caesars first night, and the second night, we indulged in dinner at Stubborn Seed, from Michelin-starred chef Jeremy Ford, before heading to see Nas perform with the Las Vegas Philharmonic at the Encore Theater — a genre-defying experience that felt both exhilarating and intimate. We were fully present. And honestly, it felt like a revelation. At brunch, we snagged a table at Pinky's by Lisa Vanderpump inside the Flamingo, a delightfully over-the-top spot that leans into glamour; yes, I had an espresso martini before noon. Afterward, we walked over to the new Go Pool, Flamingo's dayclub-style adults-only pool party, and set up shop in a shaded cabana. At one point, the DJ shouted out all the parents who'd left their kids at home — and we exchanged a knowing smile. We recharged individually and as a couple We spent a couple's afternoon at the expansive Awana Spa, where sprawling co-ed pools and lounges provided a soothing backdrop for tackling topics big and small. While we were there, we even had a breakthrough about a long-simmering plan to expand our house — the kind of epiphany that can only happen when you can hear yourself think for more than five minutes in a stretch. We had long, uninterrupted conversations. We gambled (well, I did — I'd say it's my guilty pleasure, but I feel no shame), ate fabulous meals, and enjoyed the kind of indulgent, unstructured hours that feel impossible when you're deep in the daily grind of parenting. All the while, we were getting photo updates from the camp app. I scanned each image for signs of either joy or homesickness, and was relieved to see the kids grinning, making new friends, and stringing up freshly dipped tie-dye, just as I had done. They were more than OK — they were thriving. By the time we returned, we felt recharged — not just individually, but as a couple. That reconnection was badly needed, and we knew it. The next day, we picked up the kids from camp and saw they'd grown in just five days — a little taller somehow, and a lot more confident. Our grown-folks-only Vegas trip was the best decision we made all summer. Letting our kids have their own adventure gave them a chance to grow — and gave us permission to do the same. I've come to believe that good parenting isn't just about pouring everything you have into your children. It's also about preserving and nurturing the bond that created your family in the first place. When we take time to recharge, we come back to our kids with more patience, more presence, and more gratitude. We parent better when we feel like whole people. For us, that meant two days in Las Vegas — poolside cocktails, roulette tables, long conversations under neon lights. It might not sound like the most traditional form of self-care, but it felt like exactly that — and it was just the type of jolt we needed.
ABC News
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Billy Joel finally lets fans into his life in documentary And So It Goes
In 2011, Billy Joel had every copy of his tell-all autobiography pulped just before release. It was a dramatic move, but not completely out of character for an artist who seems to have his guard permanently up. He rarely gives interviews and those that do happen tend not to reveal all that much about the man behind some of modern music's most enduring pop songs. As America's fourth-highest-selling solo artist, he has a lot of fans. But the desire for more information isn't just due to the size of his fanbase, it's also because he seems like the kinda guy you want to know. His songs are plain-spoken and relatable. They're songs we see ourselves in. "He comes across like one of us," Nas says towards the end of And So It Goes, a monstrous two-part, five-hour documentary that offers fans the most intimate insight we'll ever get into the world of Billy Joel. His reluctance to embrace the spotlight is interrogated early and often in the film. Joel considers himself a musician more than a rock star, he doesn't love being on camera and isn't particularly comfortable with the enormity of his success. It's a long way from his roots, raised poor by a loving but manic single mother in Long Island. In the late 1960s, homeless and suicidal after destroying his band and closest friendships, Joel checked into a metal health observation ward. He detested it so much he was determined to never come back, and it was his raw, dark emotions at the time that fuelled his debut album, Cold Spring Harbor. That record heralded the first of a few monumentally unsound business decisions but also started him on a roll of tireless writing and performing that would train him to become both the songwriting and performing force who would ultimately take over pop music. The film generally follows his life and career chronologically from here, showing him cutting his teeth as an opening act before finally cracking the big time with his fifth record, The Stranger. Striving for success is part of the story, but the deeper message lies in Joel's tenacity. Music initially gave him something to live for and was a dream worth pursuing at all costs. Ultimately, it was music more than fame that would inspire him to move forward, try out new moods and styles to the delight of fans and chagrin of critics. There's nothing groundbreaking about the way the film plays out: this is your tried-and-true talking-head music doco, where the artist is revealed through conversations with the talent, friends and famous admirers. Lovely as it is to hear from the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Pink and Paul McCartney, the most illuminating comments come from those who know Joel intimately. His band mates, his ex-wives, his family. It makes sense. Joel says relationships are at the core of his work, and his best songs all revolve around the ways we interact with one another and the ways that shapes our existence. Part one is dominated by first wife Elizabeth Weber, and for good reason. Her role in Joel's life and career has never received much public recognition, and she's a relatively humble but confident subject when speaking about the success she brought to him. Joel's band were as close to him as anyone, and his loyalty to them is another relational aspect that says a great deal about his character. By the time he met his second wife, supermodel Christie Brinkley, Joel was a superstar. She taught him to deal with the spotlight, gave birth to their daughter Alexa, and inspired some of his most enduring work. But another poor business decision forced Joel to spend more time at work than at home, ultimately leading to the breakdown of their marriage. This was another inflection point in the singer's life, and one that changed his trajectory forever. There would be no new pop music (OK, almost none) after this — Billy Joel was done. The length of this film allows directors Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin to tell so many under-appreciated stories from Joel's career. We see so much of his early years in bands like The Hassles and Attila, we learn about the lack of label support for multimillion-selling album The Stranger, and hear the deep-seated personal reasons for making his 2001 classical album, Fantasies and Delusions. Then, there are countless asides, like how he doesn't hate 'Piano Man' as much as you might think, Bob Dylan was the reason he signed with Columbia Records, and Linda Ronstadt and Phoebe Snow convinced him to put his career-saving smash 'Just The Way You Are' on record. If the interviews don't grab you then the archival footage surely will. There is a bevy of it: unseen clips from his youth, from studio sessions, from life on the road, and plenty of intimate home videos shot by those closest to him that show a Billy Joel most fans have never seen. There are also moments of great discomfort. As his family laments his alcoholism, Joel admits that rehab wasn't effective because he simply didn't want to be there. His consistently fractured relationship with critics is never far from the story, and there's clearly no love lost there. At one point, the spotlight even shines on his string of car accidents in the 2000s. Early in the film, Joel says that a chef once told him the key to success is about recovery, how you come back from your mistakes. Such is the story of And So It Goes. A flawed man makes countless mistakes across his extraordinary life but, driven by nothing more than a passion for making music, recovers with finesse. While one can't imagine And So It Goes converting any of the myriad Billy Joel haters out there, it's a rich vein for his many fans who've spent a lifetime in the dark about the extent of the famously guarded Joel's struggles. This is a music documentary like so many others, but it's also a tale of loyalty, tenacity, addiction, adversity, redemption and self-belief. The story of an outsider who happens to find himself at the epicentre of pop culture and whose work endures in the mainstream in a way so few manage. And So It Goes is streaming on Max.
