April 1st, 2011
09:51 AM ET
Billy Joel pulls the plug on memoirHe may sing "My Life" but Billy Joel doesn't want to share details about it: The six-time Grammy winner has just pulled the plug on his upcoming memoir. "The Book of Joel" was to be released by HarperCollins in June but the singer has now decided to stop its publication, explaining that he doesn't want to discuss ancient history.
"It took working on writing a book to make me realize that I'm not all that interested in talking about the past, and that the best expression of my life and its ups and downs has been and remains my music," the thrice-married star, who has been treated for alcohol abuse, said in a statement to CNN. The Piano Man signed a $3 million deal to pen the book for HarperCollins in 2008, reports the New York Times. He will return the advance that he has already received to the publishers.
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hi!,I like your writing so much! proportion we keep in touch extra about your article on AOL? I need an expert on this space to unravel my problem. Maybe that is you! Having a look forward to see you.
BJ wrote a few good songs, I never liked him that much, but he's way ahead of crap like Gaga and Rhianna. Auto-tune makes mediocre people think they're good, but why does it seem to be everywhere?
i feel let the music speak for itself. everything we need to know about billy joel has been reported in the news and people who live in glass houses should not throw stones.......lol
Piano Man and Stranger are two albums I will buy again and again. Billy Joel is a gifted songwriter and performer.
L2 sPeLL N00Bs!
The anger isn't about Billy Joel, it's just in fashion now. People love to be angry, they think its cool, and the school systems are failing so fewer and fewer people know how to spell or write. Seems America is well on the way to becoming an angry third world nation by the look of many posts here.
Dang. Not that I cared that much about his career as THE PIANO MAN, but I really wanted to know just one thing:
When he made that Attila album back in 1970, what the hell was he THINKING?
I would have read it.
His story is thus:
Pop singer has a string of hits.
He marries a top model.
He divorces and marries a lot.
He goes bald.
He becomes an oldies act.
the end
And your favorites too, if they're lucky, will become "oldies" too. Let see just how long some of these current artists last.
No loss on Joel's book being pulled (for now) – go pick up Keith Richards "Life" instead. Amazing!
He should have done a Practical Memoir instead. practicalmemoir.com. Instead of hashing out the past, he could focus on all of the other amazing things that make up his life. It will be sad to miss out on knowing him from his own perspective.
Good call Billy, we have enough superficial morons in this country that care more about secrets in other peoples lives than their own children. Now only if we can get rid of all the numbskulls that make a killing of reporting on other peoples lives and the garbage that actually cares. I read this article because I like Billy's music, his personal life doesn't matter one bit. I don't know why more people don't feel this way about famous people. It goes both ways though, sometimes being famous somehow magically makes the person think they are smart and then spew their dumb thoughts all over the place so morons that read pop magazines will eat it up. Hey famouse people, go make great music and amazing movies take your money and stop there, you are poluting the country with your braindead ideals. If you pay attention to hollywood's elite when it comes to issues, you are one twist short of a slinky.
and not a single "cluck" was given that day...
I am just glad that Billy Joel was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame! I hope they NEVER allow sorry bands like: those Canadian bacon nerd rockers called Rush and those clown make up wussies from Detroit called Kiss, and all those other sorry wannabe heavy metal (aluminum foil is more like it) bands like Motely Crue, Judas Priest, Dokken, Ozzy, Slayer, Poison, Motorhead, Dio, Whitesnake, Def Leppard, Iron Maiden, etc., to be inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.
Rush...come on man, give those guys a break. We all know they are geeks and like remote control cars but Geddy Lee was inspirational to lots of bass players giving them hope that they can be a front man. The Rock and Roll Hall of fame is pretty pathetic though, how are you going to make a hall of fame for art work?
billy joel is terrible. that's a fact. his songs suck
Who would a book about billy joel anyway?
I'm guessing the book was crap and Harper Collins wanted the advance back but gave Joel the opportunity to save face and say he pulled the proverbial plug. Happens all the time.
But reading about the "ancient history" of an artist lends insight into his art.
I just read through these posts.....why so much anger against Billy......he has his problems but is a true crafter of songs and should be respected for his talent...anyone you wants to dispute this listen to Goodnight Saigon, Lullabye, Leningrad....Billy's gems are the album cuts that never got to the radio......remember Billy writes both ends music and lyrics where as people like Elton John, Burt Bacharach are music only guys (composers).....Billy's body of work is comparable to any singer/songwriter out there....Paul Simon, Carole King, James Taylor, Billy Joel....the best American songwriters in the last four decades of the 20th century
Scenes From an Italian Restaurant – that is songwriting!
This story has April Fool written all over it. He's not pulling the plug.
Billy joel should have stayed as the singer for molly hatchet....wait... Perhaps I'm confused...maybe it was deep purple...ahhhh who knows
@ledzeppelinsucks... So does your mom.
damn, i really wanted to know how pig boy got supermodel. i guess the truth on that probably wouldn't be in the book anyway.
Who cares!
billy joel is a washed up ole has been drunkard that staggers out on stage and thinks he is some kinda comedian. His music has always been mediocre at best and all his admirers have been fudge monkeyss. His only redeeming quality is that bald head on which I would like to rub my hairy behind.
good for you Billy!
Well them sing us a song, you're the piano man!
Mr. Joel doesn’t want to dredge up ancient history? Unfortunately that’s really all this once-amazing artist has left. Anyone who has a problem with Billy Joel’s material knows zilch about music or lyrics. He was masterful. Was. It’s hard listening to his bedrock wisdoms today, only to see how he traded them all away for booze and wives. He should have stuck to his Baby Grand. As Sheldon Cooper says, “Screw him; he’s weak.”
True billy joel and his music suck the big one but you are even more weak you Shyt@ss.
@ledzeppelinsucks – Led Zeppelin Rules!
Good for him. He's got a huge repertoire of music spanning most of his life. He deserves to let it be with just the music. Not every musician over 50 has to write an autobiography. Besides, it probably wouldn't be a huge seller....
You're ALL either TOTALLY "BORED or JEALOUS". BJ was THE BEST........and in MY ears, STILL IS!
Go SUCK on one!
First,gaga is a better singer,maybe,maaaaybe a better act on stage.better songwriter?no chance,not even close.maybe if she wrote her own stuff,but as it stands,no way.that being said,just because the youth dont think a man who wrote his best stuff 20 years ago is a legend doesnt make them idiots. Music didnt stop being made when billy joel slowed down,and if you think so,your just too old to get it. Billy joel is a great act,and I love his music.try to take it for what it is and not play modern vs classic,it never works.
Looks like alot of pimps from christofer street posting .
A lot.
A lot.
"Alot" has never been a word in the English language.
Another book not written by the "author"?
better eating any "gummies' than sucking on a pacifier. Actually, about eating an apple?
He likely pulled the book because the publishers insisted that he include the most scandalous parts of his life. That's the problem with memoirs, autobiographies, and biographies produced by the big publishers, it's about selling books, not telling an accurate life story.
Billy should have self-published his story and told McMillan to kiss his butt.
very wise of Billy Joel. He does not need the money or attention these biographies bring. Often, it opens old wounds and offends living friends and relatives. Some things are better left unsaid and forgotten.
You can't trust any new news items today. It's April Fools.
I thought it was about a tossed salad?
Billy Joel is boomer swill
It appears as though he thought this was a good idea at first, but upon reading about his past non-musical life, he was reminded what an unlikable person he was. Even with a good writer, it's pretty hard to gloss over a life that contains a lot of drunkeness, car crashes, cheating, being ripped off by your brother-in-law, messy divorces, etc. Yes, a great musician and performer he is, but the rest of his life is not so pretty.
Are you perfect? Who are you to judge other people.
"Billy Joel pulls the plug on memoir". In a related story, Billy Joel pulled the cork on three bottles of Chateau Lafite Rothschild, consumed them quickly, and drove through whatever happened to be in his way. THANK YOU! I'll be here all week. Try the veal!
Remember an hour ago when no one was even thinking about Billy Joel? Good times.
yeah !
Someone should pull the plug on his tanning bed.
BOOM, roasted.
or maybe not
good 1 Billy!
April fools!
You are all poor spellers. And poor smellers. Only good people get to post here ! I am glad cnn pulled your offensive post. You should not be arguing with peoples here. This blog is about BIlly Joel being a weeenie toucher. Stick to the subject !
You all KNOW Lady Gaga is a better singer, songwriter and performer that fatboy billy joel.
You must definitely be 13 and know NOTHING about true music. Billy Joel was and still is a great musician who didnt sing about crap like GaGa and the other idiot "artists" "sing".
What's new?
Hey.
I am baffled by some of the childish comments I am reading. Billy Joel reached the top of his chosen profession over 30 years ago. How about showing some respect?
i commend him for realziing i dont need the money and the past is past, he like every other celeb is human and i for one am haunted by soemthings in my past, so why relive them? i agree with him and my hats off to him 🙂
He's not gay, he just has major alcohol problems. He did some good stuff, but I wouldn't call him one of the greatest of all times.
Like him or not, if you passed grade 3 math you'd know Billy Joel is without a doubt one of the greatest of all time.
Good for you billy look forward don't look back
The book will be released at some point, perhaps later this year toward the holidays. That was a publicity stunt to garner more interest.
My gut says that this is a HUGE publicity stunt. What makes people want a book more than saying it won't be published? Give it some time, there will be some discussion about how he changed his mind when he learned how disappointed/interested people were on the book, etc. My guess is that it will be on the shelves within six months making him, and his publisher, even more money...
For those of you who actually care about Billy Joel and don't want to get involved with the rest of the nonsense in these comments, you might want to check out a DVD called "Last Play at Shea." This is all about the concert he put on in Shea Stadium, the last concert before the dump–"our dump" as it's referred to in the movie–was torn down. The DVD is a history of all the things that went on at Shea, from the Beatles to the Mets '69 championship, to the Pope visit, etc. It's also a history of Billy Joel's life. Overall one of the best films I've ever seen. If you grew up in NY, you will definitely relate to this.
And I can prove it...From Piano Man..."And he's flirtin with GayDavy who's still in the GayNavy and probably will be for life."
he is describing the scene at the bar dude.....paints a pretty good picture with words, he's a great lyricist. He also describes trying to get in the Catholic girl's drawers in Only the Good Die Young.
Billy is great....and amazing in concert.
Oh, and whoever said Zeppelin sucks is stuck in today's crap. Rock & Roll will never die!
You freakin' idiots putting down his music. He showed he can master any genre. Brilliant lyricist and excellent musician. How many of you putting him down think Lady Gaga is an artist? Or on the other hand think that murky slop called "alternative" is actually anything other than sub-par wanna-be music?
He hasn't shown he can master;
Symphonic black metal
Punk
Zydecko
Tejano
Reggaeton
Russian folk
And many others.
I hate his music and I think he's a swarmy little man. Who cares?
Millions of fans with better taste in music than you, that's who.
Say what you want but the man has great taste in neckties.
I think he daughter Hannah Montana is very talented.
wow
You people seriously need to grow up and get a grip! These comments are disgusting and judgemental!
One of the best singer, songwriter, musicians of our time. Kudos to him for not wanting to hang his laundry out in public.
Wonder if he isn't interested in talking about the past because he is embarrassed of it......hmmmmmmm?
Wow "TEACH" you've got a typo or grammar error in almost every single one of your posts today. I believe it is time to give it a rest. Oh and be sure to proof my post. It's perfect.
A+
Like Charlie Sheen, Joel probably doesn't realize that his capricious actions affect a lot of people, probably costing them their jobs. These celebrities should think long and hard about their commitments before going into them.
Commitments? What commitments, to performing and making money? And Charlie Sheen off the cuff is FAR funnier and more entertaining than his mindless show ever was. Quitting that dorkfest with a bloated bank account IS winning. Deal with it.
Quitting the easiest job ever, one that pais over $2,000,000 week is winning? An opportunity Sheen will never have again? Yeah, sounds like winning to me.
Not like he doesn't have enough money already. He was sick of the show, and why not? Horrible show! He went out on top and will end up creating a better show, wait and see.
Billy can tickle my ivory anytime he wants to !
Why would he want to touch your teeth? just kidding (teeth are the closest things we have in our bodies to animal ivory)
You people all have some serious issues. How did a story about Billy Joel not penning an autobiography turn into this? Some of you are on the wrong website – try Merriam Webster or a gay p#rn site since you seemed to be obsessed with both!
test
Really, people??? Really!?? The man's a great artist who has wrote some of my generations most amazing music. Why turn this into a gay joke – just because he performed with another great artist, Elton John? I think it's admirable that he's pulled the plug on his memoirs. I, for one, would much rather relish his life through his music. I don't need the sordid details of his failed marriages and bouts with substance abuse. Billy Joel is his music, and is absolutely amazing in concert. Kudos, Mr. Joel.
I couldn't agree more. I was just posting the same feelings about it. The maturity of some people is just lacking terribly.
@growing up, go back to your Bieber, idiot.
Billy Joel is not a great artist, and his music is not amazing.
exactly. Well said.
Excellent! I agree with your post.
Finally, a reasonable person with an intelligent, thoughtful comment!
I saw Billy Joel at a small college auditorium on Long Island (Hofstra I think) in 1974 when he only had two albums (Piano Man and Streetlight Seronade). He played every song on both albums. It was an amazing concert and one of my first – I was graduating high school. He was the Entertainer! Been to the Italian Restaurant.
YEAH ! CHILDRENS ARE STOOPID !
I believe that's "Childrens IS stoopid"
I thought it was "childrenz am stoupid"
I dont have to spell too good. The kids in my classroom are 6 and 7 year olds. I can just make it up as i go along ! They are so young they dont even know the difference ! It is GREAT !
Great...just what we need...teachers that don't give a crap.
Protected by a union no doubt. That's just great.
Is the same person posting under different aliases above? Crazy!
I actually give him credit for keeping his business to himself. I wouldn't want everyone knowing my business either and he doesn't need the money, unlike so many other celebs, so good for him!!!
I always liked Billy. I admire this position.
AND it will go on your perminant record.
TEACH – You spelled permanant wrong! 🙂
That's "permanent"...
"Permanent," Teach. It's spelled "permanent."
I love when idiots like you cry about others spelling and then spell wrong yourself. You are such a moron, and easily the worst "teach" out there.
Hey teach, better have eyes in the back of your head. I'm coming for you. Don't fall asleep tonight. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
I hope you never teach my kids! Dang!
Uh....this has something to do with Billy Joel and a book contract?
My rule is if you can not spell then you can not post. Respect my wishes. I will give you an F for the day if you dont watch out.
The word is spelled "cannot", and the correct contraction is "don't".
Are you kidding me? The correct contraction of cannot is "can't," not "don't." "Don't" is the contraction of "do not." Oh, the irony.
Deez nuts. Nice troll btw.
Do you correct peoples grammar when you speak to them in person? If not then why do it online?
Learn to spell. My 2 year old spells better that you. PIggyfingers.
To "yourstudent".. what are you, 5? Your mom allows you to post on the internet? In any case, when someone spells so badly that you cannot understand what they are saying.. well thats a problem!
Student, it absolutely *does* matter if you've got a grasp of the language when you post, whether this is a blog or not. That is, of course, assuming you're trying to be persuasive and make a point. Misspell everything and screw up the fundamentals of English grammar, and you come across as an uneducated chump not worth paying attention to.
Your 2 year old spells better THAT you. LMAO!!! Pot meet kettle
if you can't even do proper grammar then you shouldn't be telling others how to spell.
Get lives, you JERKS. This is not a spelling contest. BUT, for those of you who cannot spell, don't show your IGNORANCE.