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Billy Joel has opened up about the real cause of the long-rumoured rift between himself and Elton John, admitting that a public comment from the Rocket Man singer once left him hurt and humiliated.
In part two of his newly released documentary series, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, which aired on Friday, the 75-year-old singer-songwriter revealed that a remark Elton John made during a 2011 Rolling Stone interview caused a serious strain on their friendship.
“Elton had made a comment that he thought I needed real rehab, he chalked it up to, ‘Oh, he’s a drunk.’ And that really hurt me,” Joel said.
At the time, the two artists had just completed a leg of their successful Face to Face tour, a joint venture they began back in 1994 and which thrilled fans across the world. But despite the success, Joel says John’s public criticism cut deep.
“I said, ‘Wait a minute? Don’t you know me better than that?’ And there was bad blood for a little while.”
Elton’s comments in the article were surprisingly blunt. He told Rolling Stone, “He’s going to hate me for this, but every time he goes to rehab they’ve been light… I love you Billy, and this is tough love.”
The Face to Face tour was a major success - Credit: John Atashian/Getty Images
Joel explained in the documentary that while he believes John may have meant well, the public nature of the comments made them difficult to handle. Already feeling emotionally exhausted, Joel confessed that he “felt clobbered” and admitted it sent him spiralling toward “rock bottom.”
“I was disillusioned with what I thought it was all supposed to mean,” Joel said. “It was like all the signs were pointing to me: Enough. And I wrote this letter to the band. ‘I don’t want to do this anymore. I’m gonna stop.’”
That moment marked a turning point. Joel took a step back from extensive touring and paused many of his musical commitments. He has since found a renewed sense of purpose, and in recent years, he and Elton have privately repaired their friendship.
“We’re in a good place now,” Joel said. “I think time helps. We’ve both been through our own battles and we’ve come out the other side.”
Fans of both legends will recall their joint performances as some of the most iconic moments in live music history, blending Joel’s heartfelt storytelling with John’s flamboyant flair.
The documentary has been praised for its honesty and emotional depth, offering a rare glimpse into the private struggles behind the public personas of one of music’s most enduring icons.
