What did Elton John say about Billy Joel? 2011 rift explained as Piano Man opens up about fallout from Rolling Stone interview

There was once some “bad blood” between Elton John and Billy Joel.

The legendary musicians had a brief fallout in 2011, following the Victim of Love singer’s interview with Rolling Stone. The Piano Man singer opened up about the strained relationship in the second part of HBO’s Billy Joel: And So It Goes, which aired on Friday, July 25, 2025. The Glass Houses singer said (via People):

“Elton had made a comment that he thought I needed real rehab. He chalked it up to, 'Oh, he’s a drunk.' And that really hurt me.”

Billy Joel added,

“I said wait a minute? Don’t you know me better than that? And there was bad blood for a little while. There was a dovetailing of things that happened during that time.”

 

 

 

 

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The Stranger singer was referring to Elton John's comments in a 2011 Rolling Stone interview. The Blue Moves musician talked about Joel “not writing his music anymore,” asserting that it was “either fear or laziness.” Elton felt that his fellow singer was “coasting.” He further remarked on the canceled tours and Billy needing rehab:

“We’ve had so many can­celed tours because of illnesses and vari­ous other things, alcoholism. He's going to hate me for this, but every time he’s gone to rehab, they’ve been rehab light. When I went to rehab, I had to clean the floors. He goes to rehab where they have TVs.”

Elton continued,

“I love you, Billy, and this is tough love. Billy, you have your demons, and you’re not going to get rid of them at rehab light. You’ve got to be serious. People adore you, they love you and respect you. You should be able to do something better than what you’re doing now.”

The Ice on Fire musician’s comments led to a brief fallout with the An Innocent Man singer.

Billy Joel avoided addressing his rift with Elton John in public

The Streetlife Serenade singer opened up about his “bad blood” with the EGOT winner for the first time in years. However, Billy Joel avoided confronting Elton John in public following his Rolling Stone interview. Billy released a statement in 2011 asserting that he still had affection for John. He said (via Reuters):

“I’ve enjoyed our relationship too much to let something as random as these comments change my affection for him. Elton is just being Elton.”

However, Elton John confirmed in a February 2011 appearance on Today that Billy Joel indeed hated him at that moment. He mentioned receiving a message from his touring partner and said (via NY Daily News):

“He sent me a message and he’s not happy. I understand that. I’m sorry I had to say it, but I’m saying it because I really want Billy to live a long life and be very happy. That’s all it came from. I understand why he’s mad at me. I’m only trying to help. Maybe I should have done it privately, but I’ve been so frustrated over the years.”

Then-Today host Matt Lauer asked John about his comments. The latter shared how Billy would hate him and “may want to punch” his face. Later, Joel released another statement stating he neither hated nor wanted to punch Elton, Rolling Stone reported.

According to People, Billy Joel had gone to rehab in 2005. The celebrated musician eventually told the Los Angeles Times in 2023 that he had quit drinking “a couple of years ago.”