FORMER PIANO MAN

Billy Joel Got ‘Bored’ With Pop Songs

He explains in a New York Times Magazine profile.

Billy Joel opens up about his drinking habit, why he hasn't written a pop song in 20 years, and how he really feels about Elton John in this week's New York Times Magazine. Contrary to Elton John's suggestion that the former piano man gave up writing new music "out of fear or laziness," Joel insists, "I just got bored with it. I wanted to write something other than the three-minute pop tune." What does Elton John know, anyway? Sure, the two have toured the world together on numerous occassions, but Joel says, “He doesn’t know anything about my private life. He’s a very friendly, charming man ... but we really never spent much time personally together.” Plus, he totally has “mom hair.” In addition to Elton, Joel addresses his issues with drinking. He says his past car accidents were caused by a 9/11-induced depression, not alcohol, and admits that, even after going through rehab a number of times, he still has a glass of wine every now and then. Oh, and he also knows everyone thinks his wives were all much better looking than him and not only does he not disagree, he doesn’t care!