Joel family (German-American)

For the British-South African family, see Joel family.

The Joel family is a family of German origin active in the United States and Britain in business and the music industry. They identify Karl Amson Joel (1889 - 1982) as their patriarch.

History

First generation

Karl Amson Joel was a German-Jewish textile magnate. He was born in 1889 to a family involved in the textile business, and built his own textile empire, before moving to Switzerland and eventually the United States due to Antisemitism. He returned to Germany, where he died.

Second generation

Karl Amson Joel's son, Helmut (later known as Howard), was educated in Switzerland, before immigrating to the United States with his parents. In New York, he married and had two children, one being the famous musician Billy Joel. He then moved to England, where he had another son, Alexander Joel a conductor.

Third generation

Karl Joel's grandsons Billy and Alexander both became prominent in the music industry, though in different countries and genres.

Fourth generation

Billy Joel's daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, is also a musician.