Billy Joel Finally Tells His Side Of The Story Regarding Those DUI Claims

Billy Joel is finally putting decades of speculation to rest.

In the new two-part HBO documentary “Billy Joel: And So It Goes,” the iconic singer-songwriter gets raw and real about the highs and lows of his life.

In it, Billy Joel does not hold back when it comes to debunking some persistent rumors, especially those surrounding alleged DUIs.

“There’s this rumor that I have all these DUIs,” Joel says bluntly in the film. “That never happened. But people keep repeating the myth. ‘Oh, he’s got so many DUIs.’ I never had a DUI. So f-ck you.”

The 76-year-old “Piano Man” legend, who recently revealed his diagnosis with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), uses the documentary as an opportunity to clear the air and reclaim his narrative. Despite being involved in a string of car accidents in the early 2000s, crashing into a tree in 2003 and an empty house in 2004, Joel insists none were related to alcohol.

Instead, he attributes the incidents to emotional turmoil stemming from the aftermath of 9/11 and personal heartbreak. “My mind wasn’t right. I wasn’t focused,” he recalled in a 2013 New York Times interview. “I went into a deep, deep depression after 9/11… and then there was a breakup. It took me a while to get back on my feet again.”

“I know a lot of people are worried about me and my health, but I’m okay,” the “Piano Man” legend told PEOPLE last week. “What I have is something very few people know about, including me, no matter how much you try to research it. I’m doing my best to work with it and to recover from it.”

The singer was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a treatable brain disorder that impacts memory, balance, vision, hearing, and mobility.

Joel first began noticing symptoms when his sense of balance became increasingly difficult to manage.

“It was like being on a boat all the time,” he explained. “It was scary, but I’m okay. I just wanted to let people know, don’t worry about me being deathly ill or anything.”

The condition, which is often misdiagnosed, can mimic the effects of dementia or Parkinson’s, making early detection critical. Joel’s diagnosis led to the difficult decision to cancel a series of tour dates earlier this year, sparking concern among his loyal fanbase.

The documentary, directed by Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin, pulls back the curtain on more than just tabloid rumors. It’s a deeply personal look at Joel’s battles with depression, substance use, suicide attempts, and his strained relationship with fame.

The film also touches on his mother’s alcoholism and financial challenges, painting a fuller picture of a man often misunderstood behind the spotlight.

Family and close friends, including daughter Alexa Ray Joel and sister Judy, weigh in throughout the film. Longtime collaborator Steve Cohen also offers emotional insight, describing Joel as a “resilient” figure who’s never pretended to be perfect.

“You make mistakes,” Cohen said. “But he shows up, he admits when he’s wrong. He’s human.”

Despite his initial reluctance to participate, Joel ultimately embraced the project.

“My goal was to get it over with,” he admitted to PEOPLE. “When you’re talking about your personal life detached from the material… I suppose there’s a little bit of wariness involved.”

Still, the result is a rare and reflective portrait of a man whose music has soundtracked generations, warts and all. And for fans who’ve followed Joel through decades of triumph and turbulence, And “So It Goes” offers both a powerful reminder of his humanity and a renewed reason to love the music all over again.

“Billy Joel: And So It Goes” is now streaming on HBO.