Billy Joel claims he has never been arrested for DUI in recent HBO documentary.

The Piano Man Sets the Record Straight

In the second installment of the HBO documentary “Billy Joel: And That Goes,” the 76-year-old musician addressed long-standing rumors regarding alleged DUIs. Joel expressed his frustration with tabloid-style reporting that perpetuates these myths.

“There’s a lot of gossip that comes with fame,” Joel remarked in the documentary. “For instance, people keep saying I have multiple DUIs, but that’s simply not true. It’s a myth that just won’t go away.”

He emphasized, “I didn’t have a DUI.”

The speculation around Joel intensified in June 2002, after he crashed his Mercedes-Benz in East Hampton, New York. Then, less than a year later, he was involved in another accident that required airlifting to the hospital.

In April 2004, he crashed into a house on Long Island, further fueling rumors. This led to a skit on “Saturday Night Live” that exaggerated the story, depicting him as driving drunk while ferrying friends to a party.

Despite these incidents, Joel continues to deny any DUI charges. He recounted a time when he was struggling with a breakup and chose to seek help at a rehabilitation center. “People connected the dots and thought my rehab was due to drinking and driving, but that’s not accurate,” he clarified.

“I’ve never had a DUI in my life. That’s a mistake. Just check the police records,” he said.

In the documentary, Joel criticized the media, calling their coverage “average,” and admitted he struggles with the constant attention. “It’s not easy being in the spotlight all the time,” he said.

After entering rehabilitation in 2005, which his then-wife referred to as the “ultimate,” he took a break from touring for a time.

Now sober for several years, Joel reflected, “I stopped drinking a few years back. I didn’t enjoy being completely drunk; it added unnecessary problems to my life.”