Billy Joel Opens Up About Past Rift with Elton John over Rehab Comments

Billy Joel has been open about his struggle with addiction and rehab stints, but a past rift with fellow music icon Elton John has been previously unspoken. In the second part of his HBO documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, released Friday, Joel addresses the "hurtful" comments made by John in 2011, describing Joel's rehab stays as "light." Joel reflects on how these comments led to a period of "bad blood" between them, which was exacerbated by other issues at the time. Joel, now two years sober, has been open about his struggles with addiction and has spoken about the importance of taking his health seriously.

Key Takeaways:

• Billy Joel and Elton John had a past rift sparked by John's 2011 comments on Joel's rehab stays, describing them as "light."
• Joel felt hurt and clobbered by John's remarks, which he considered to be an attack on his character.
• Joel entered rehab twice, first in 2002 and then again in 2005, at the insistence of his then-wife Katie Lee.
• Joel has been sober for two years and attributes his sobriety to his commitment to taking care of himself.
• Joel has been open about his struggles with addiction and has spoken about the importance of seeking help.
• Joel's past marriages include Elizabeth Weber, Christie Brinkley, and Alexis Roderick, with whom he shares two youngest daughters.
• Joel's documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, is available to stream on HBO Max.

Statistics:

• Joel has been sober for two years.
• Joel entered rehab twice, first in 2002 and then again in 2005.
• Joel has been married four times: to Elizabeth Weber, Christie Brinkley, Katie Lee, and Alexis Roderick.
• Julie has three children: Alexa, Della, and Remy.
• The documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, is available to stream on HBO Max.

Sources:

• Billy Joel: And So It Goes (HBO documentary)
• Rolling Stone (2011 interview with Elton John)
• Silver Hill Hospital (2002 rehab stay)
• Betty Ford Center (2005 rehab stay)