Billy Joel Finally Tells His Side Of The Story Regarding Those DUI Claims

Billy Joel is lastly placing a long time of hypothesis to relaxation.

Within the new two-part HBO documentary “Billy Joel: And So It Goes,” the enduring singer-songwriter will get uncooked and actual concerning the highs and lows of his life.

In it, Billy Joel doesn’t maintain again in relation to debunking some persistent rumors, particularly these surrounding alleged DUIs.

“There’s this rumor that I’ve all these DUIs,” Joel says bluntly within the movie. “That by no means occurred. However folks preserve repeating the parable. ‘Oh, he’s acquired so many DUIs.’ I by no means had a DUI. So f-ck you.”

The 76-year-old “Piano Man” legend, who not too long ago revealed his prognosis with regular strain hydrocephalus (NPH), makes use of the documentary as a possibility to clear the air and reclaim his narrative. Regardless of being concerned in a string of automobile accidents within the early 2000s, crashing right into a tree in 2003 and an empty home in 2004, Joel insists none have been associated to alcohol.

As an alternative, he attributes the incidents to emotional turmoil stemming from the aftermath of 9/11 and private heartbreak. “My thoughts wasn’t proper. I wasn’t targeted,” he recalled in a 2013 New York Times interview. “I went right into a deep, deep despair after 9/11… after which there was a breakup. It took me some time to get again on my ft once more.”

“I do know lots of people are fearful about me and my well being, however I’m okay,” the “Piano Man” legend informed PEOPLE final week. “What I’ve is one thing only a few folks learn about, together with me, irrespective of how a lot you attempt to analysis it. I’m doing my finest to work with it and to recuperate from it.”

The singer was recognized with regular strain hydrocephalus (NPH), a treatable mind dysfunction that impacts reminiscence, steadiness, imaginative and prescient, listening to, and mobility.

Joel first started noticing signs when his sense of steadiness turned more and more tough to handle.

“It was like being on a ship on a regular basis,” he defined. “It was scary, however I’m okay. I simply wished to let folks know, don’t fear about me being deathly ailing or something.”

The situation, which is commonly misdiagnosed, can mimic the consequences of dementia or Parkinson’s, making early detection essential. Joel’s prognosis led to the tough resolution to cancel a collection of tour dates earlier this yr, sparking concern amongst his loyal fanbase.

The documentary, directed by Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin, pulls again the curtain on extra than simply tabloid rumors. It’s a deeply private have a look at Joel’s battles with despair, substance use, suicide makes an attempt, and his strained relationship with fame.

The movie additionally touches on his mom’s alcoholism and monetary challenges, portray a fuller image of a person usually misunderstood behind the highlight.

Household and shut mates, together with daughter Alexa Ray Joel and sister Judy, weigh in all through the movie. Longtime collaborator Steve Cohen additionally presents emotional perception, describing Joel as a “resilient” determine who’s by no means pretended to be excellent.

“You make errors,” Cohen stated. “However he reveals up, he admits when he’s incorrect. He’s human.”