NEW YORK – Billy Joel will be bringing the news, good and bad, this summer.
Publisher HarperCollins announced details Thursday about the Piano Man's "The Book of Joel," coming out June 14. The memoir will take fans on an "emotional ride" from the writing of such favorites as "Just the Way You Are" and "New York State of Mind" to his broken marriage to Christie Brinkley and his struggles with depression and substance abuse.
Joel's editor at HarperCollins, David Hirshey, said in a statement that "there is a lot in this book that he has never revealed before." HarperCollins also released the cover photograph Thursday, a moody close-up of Joel taken in the 1990s.
The book news comes weeks after the singer's longtime touring partner, Elton John, went public with concerns over Joel's substance abuse problems.
"He's going to hate me for this, but every time he goes to rehab they've been light," the 63-year-old John, who has spoken openly about his own drug use, told Rolling Stone. "When I went to rehab, I had to clean the floors. He goes to rehab where they have TVs."
He added, "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 rock legends have enjoyed several tours together over the years, but John said he was worried about Joel's future.
"At the end of the day, he's coasting," the "Rocket Man" singer said of Joel. "I always say, 'Billy, can't you write another song?' It's either fear or laziness. It upsets me. Billy's a conundrum. We've had so many cancelled tours because of illnesses and various other things, alcoholism."
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