David Bridges
Billy Joel
Addresses and Denies DUI Accusations: “I Never Had One!”
Published July 27, 2025 8:41 AM PDT
Billy Joel is taking a firm stand to dispel a persistent rumor that has circulated for years—he has never been charged with a DUI. This clarification comes as a relief to fans and followers who have been confused by the misleading narratives surrounding his past.
In his revealing HBO documentary titled “Billy Joel: And So It Goes,” the iconic music legend addresses the unfounded speculation that he accumulated multiple DUIs in the early 2000s, coinciding with a series of car accidents. This documentary provides an in-depth exploration of his life, including the challenges he faced during that tumultuous period.
NOVEMBER 2024
TMZ.com
“There’s this rumor that I have all these DUIs. That never happened,” Joel asserts confidently in the documentary. “But people keep repeating the myth. I never had a DUI. So f— you.” His candid remarks highlight his frustration with the ongoing misinformation.
Although Joel experienced car crashes in 2002, 2003, and 2004, he firmly states that alcohol was never involved in these incidents. In a revealing interview from 2013, he linked the accidents to personal struggles such as depression and a profound state of “mental fog” that followed the traumatic events of September 11 and his emotional turmoil after a breakup.
The gripping documentary also delves into Joel’s battles with substance abuse, his inspiring path to recovery, and his family dynamics with wife Alexis and their daughters. “I didn’t want to do this at first,” Joel admitted to PEOPLE. “It’s almost embarrassing. But I wanted to set the record straight — and show the real story behind my life and struggles.”
Clara Hastings
Cameron Steel
