Elton John Says Billy Joel Needs to Clean Up His Act and 'Do Something Better'

Posted on Feb 1st 2011 9:40PM by Benjy Eisen
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Billy Joel's longtime touring mate, peer and friend, Elton John, has some brutal words for the Piano Man that will be published in an upcoming issue of Rolling Stone, according to the Associated Press. John allegedly says that Joel needs to clean up his act -- for real this time -- and "do something better" with his life.

Since 1994, Elton John and Billy Joel have toured extensively together in a successful and satisfying co-headlining format, under the show name "Face to Face," but they were forced to cancel entire tours in the past -- and John now blames those cancellations directly on Joel's "alcoholism" and other afflictions. While he admits, in the alleged article, that Joel won't like reading his comments, he's stating them blatantly because that may be the kind of rude awakening that he feels Joel needs right now.

Joel -- publicly and privately -- battled with depression for many years and, in 1970, attempted to commit suicide by drinking furniture polish. While that experience ultimately led to powerful new songs and a renewed commitment to both his career and personal life, he's had at least two stints in rehab in the past decade, including a month-long stay at the Betty Ford Center in 2005.

Watch Billy Joel and Elton John Sing 'Piano Man' and Discuss Their Friendship