Billy Joel blasts the one rumor hounding his life, claims 9/11 is the reason his ‘mind wasn’t right’

Billy Joel has used strong language to shut down long-standing rumors about his driving record in his new HBO documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes. The 76-year-old musician directly addressed claims that have followed him for years about having multiple DUI arrests.

According to Page Six, the Piano Man singer made it clear he was tired of the gossip that comes with fame. He spoke about how the tabloid press had spread false stories about his life. Joel said there was one particular rumor that really bothered him about having several DUI arrests.

“For example, there’s this rumor that I have all these DUIs. That never happened, but people keep repeating the myth: ‘Oh, he’s got so many DUIs.’ I never had a DUI, so f–k you,” Joel said in the documentary. His harsh response shows how frustrated he has become with these claims over the years.

Joel’s car crashes were real, but not caused by drinking

Joel was involved in several well-documented car accidents between 2002 and 2004. In June 2002, he was airlifted to a hospital after a crash. He had additional accidents in January 2003 and April 2004. These crashes led to rumors and speculation about the cause.

The singer has previously tried to explain what really happened during those crashes. In 2013, he told the New York Times Magazine that the accidents were due to “mental fog” and had “nothing to do with the booze.” He pointed to police records as proof that he never had a DUI arrest.

Joel explained that his mental state was affected by the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City. He said the attacks left him in a “deep, deep depression” that he may never have fully recovered from. “9/11 just knocked the wind out of me, and I don’t know even now if I’ve recovered from it,” he said. He also mentioned that a personal breakup made things worse during that time.

The singer added that “it really, really hurt that man could do that to man” when talking about the attacks. He said it took him a while to get back on his feet after dealing with both the national tragedy and his personal problems. Joel explained that his mind wasn’t right during that period, which led to the car accidents.

Despite Joel’s clear statements, some people continue to question his version of events, while some still believe the DUI rumors. Some claim that local police protected him or that he received special treatment because of his celebrity status.

Research into these claims shows mixed information. While some unreliable sources online list multiple DUI arrests, more credible recent reports support Joel’s claims that he was never charged with a DUI. The car crashes themselves are well-documented facts, but the cause remains what Joel has stated.

The documentary also revealed other difficult periods in Joel’s life, including a suicide attempt in his younger years. Joel spoke about falling in love with the wife of his friend and bandmate, which caused him great guilt and pain. His sister revealed that he once took sleeping pills and was in a coma for several days.

Joel has been married four times, including his current marriage to Alexis Roderick in 2015. He was previously married to Christie Brinkley from 1985 to 1994 and Katie Lee from 2004 to 2009. The documentary shows how he learned to channel his emotions and difficult experiences into his music throughout his career.