Billy Joel's tragic past and heartbreaking reason he gave up songwriting

24 July 2023 , 19:59

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Musician Billy Joel reveals that he is giving up songwriting for good, as he feels the process of writing songs has become 'excruciating' (Image: Getty Images)

The Piano Man Billy Joel is one of the most respected entertainers in the world, selling millions of records and captivating music-lovers for the past two decades.

But despite his great success, the famous rock star has withstood many tragic life events including numerous car accidents, a battle with addiction, mental health struggles, and the ultimate decision to quit songwriting.

When asked what he was most proud of, Joel previously said: "My ability to move on with life. I’ve had difficulties in my life, but it never stopped me from continuing," He adds: "Troubles with business didn’t stop me from doing business. I have no bitterness about anything, even people who rip me off, I let it go. I’m content with that I’m happy. I’m having a happy ending."

The Vienna singer faced his fair share of bad luck on the road - experiencing three crashes alarming fans over the past decade. In the early 2000s, Joel was involved in three different car accidents. The most recent took place in 2004 when the pop star's car crashed into a house in Long Island. Luckily, no one else was involved and he was able to walk away with just a cut to his finger.

Musician Billy Joel terrified fans after facing multiple scares on the road - including three separate car crashes within two years (Birmingham Post and Mail)

In January of 2003, Joel was driving his Mercedes Benz in Sag Harbor when he lost control and crashed into a tree. Paramedics rushed him to the hospital where he suffered minor head injuries. In June of 2004, Joel had another accident in East Hampton where hit a fire well and post. From this, he suffered minor injures and refused medical attention. There is no record of his Breathalyser test, but the singer checked himself into rehab the next week.

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Joel later opened up about his struggle with substance abuse - mainly with alcoholism. The singer checked himself into rehab twice during his career. In an interview with Parade.com, Joel explained that he always felt alcohol prevented him from becoming as good as he wanted to be.

Musician Billy Joel opens up about his previous mental health struggles and his suicide attempt in his early twenties (Getty Images)

"If I couldn’t be as good as I wanted to be, I’d just drown it with booze. I know I’ve got a reputation that I’m this depressed guy. I’m not - I’m a happy guy. I was in rehab twice." He adds: "It was one of the best things I ever did."

Joel also spoke about his drug experimentation with Shock Jock Howard Stern. The singer said he tried multiple drugs, but he was most 'scared' of heroin. He said he was terrified of getting hooked on the drug, and this experience was the inspiration behind his song Scandinavian Skies.

Joel also spoke of mental health struggles and a suicide attempt. In his autobiography, Joel details the attempt sharing it happened during his failing career in his twenties. At the time, the singer said he swallowed a hand-full of Nembutal and washing it down with furniture polish. Following the attempt, he checked himself into a psychiatric hospital.

Billy Joel shares that although he is done with song writing for good, he is nowhere close to retiring from the music industry (Getty Images)

Despite all of Joel's hardships, the talented musician produced some of the greatest music of his generation - with popular 13 studio albums and a total of over 121 songs.

But the singer recently shared with LA times he is done making new music. The 73-year-old explained the process became 'excruciating.' He said: "I didn't have the same motivation anymore. You need inspiration to create good new music, and if you don't have it, don't bother. Get off the treadmill, for Christ's sake."

Joel, however, has no plans of retiring from his music career just yet. The famous rock star has recently teamed up with Fleetwood Mac star Stevie Nicks and the iconic duo is now touring North America.

Caroline Gaspich