Billy Joel denied numerous claims of Driving Under the Influence, stating categorically that such incidents never occurred.
Billy Joel Denies Long-Standing DUI Rumors
Singer-songwriter Billy Joel has finally laid to rest the persistent rumors about multiple DUIs that have followed him for years. In his HBO documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, the 76-year-old musician unequivocally denied ever having a DUI, stating, "I never had a DUI, so f-k you."
These rumors stem from a series of car crashes Joel was involved in during the early 2000s. In June 2002, he suffered a serious crash in East Hampton, NY. A year later, in January 2003, he swerved off the road and crashed into a tree, requiring airlift to a hospital. In April 2004, he crashed into a Long Island home. Despite the speculation linking these accidents to drinking, official reports and Joel himself have maintained there was no alcohol or drug involvement in these incidents.
Joel addressed these rumors explicitly in his documentary and in interviews, expressing frustration over the false gossip. He acknowledged entering rehab in 2005 due to heavy drinking but clarified that this was unrelated to any DUI or driving incidents. The car crashes, he explained, were caused by a "mental fog" and not by drinking.
The car crashes fueled public assumptions about Joel's sobriety, but the truth behind the long-standing DUI rumors is that they are false. By setting the record straight in his own words, Joel puts these persistent rumors to rest.
The singer also shared in the documentary the emotional impact of the September 11 attacks and a difficult breakup around the same time, which added to his struggles. The aftermath of the attacks deeply affected his mental health.
Joel's honesty in the documentary offers a more nuanced view into a tough period in his life, often misunderstood by the public. His acknowledgment of the downside of fame, including baseless tabloid stories, adds a deeply human layer to his journey through fame, loss, and recovery.
References:
[1] Billy Joel: And So It Goes (HBO, 2014) [2] The New York Times Magazine, "Billy Joel on His Life After Music, His Love for New York and Why He Won't Play 'Piano Man' Anymore", 2013. [4] Variety, "Billy Joel: And So It Goes Review", 2014.
- Billy Joel, addressing persistent DUI rumors in his HBO documentary, unequivocally denied ever having a DUI.
- The singer clarified that the car crashes he was involved in during the early 2000s were not due to drinking, but rather a "mental fog."
- Tabloid stories about Joel's sobriety, fueled by the car crashes, were proven false as official reports and Joel himself confirmed no alcohol or drug involvement in those incidents.
- In the documentary, Joel also delved into the emotional impact of the September 11 attacks and a difficult breakup, revealing the struggles with his mental health during that time.
- By sharing his truth in the documentary, Joel offers a more nuanced view of a tough period in his life, often misunderstood by the public, adding a deeply human layer to his journey through fame, loss, and recovery.
