Billy Joel Pulls Memoir, Tells Publisher at Last Minute

Billy Joel pulled the plug on his memoir this morning. He told his publisher, Harper Collins, simultaneous to releasing a short statement. The book company is gob-smacked, as they say.  The book was scheduled for a Jule release. It was all but signed off on, completely edited and ready to go. There aren’t too many instances of this sort of thing happening. Years ago Oprah Winfrey did the same thing to Knopf. More recently, movie producer and former hairstylist Jon Peters did the same thing. What it generally means is that the subject of the book has been too candid, and is too young to live with the repercussions of telling the truth about their lives. That last read through of the galleys says it all. In Billy’s case, he’s had a tough few years personally with his daughter, Alexa, his own bad marriage to Katie Lee, accidents and rehab. The last straw may have been Elton John’s odd, unprovoked attack recently, calling Billy out for his drinking. Joel probably didn’t want to hit the interview circuit to defend himself. It’s his decision. What I wish Billy would do is channel all that energy into a new collection of songs. An autobiography can wait a while, like until he’s in his 70s. Billy, stay just the way you are. But give us some music!