Billy Joel Checks Into Rehab
Billy Joel has checked himself into the Silver Hill Hospital in New
Canaan, Connecticut, to deal with “a specific and personal problem
that had recently developed.” The statement released by the
fifty-three-year-old Joel’s label didn’t specify the reason for his
visit to the substance abuse and psychiatric hospital, only to say
that he planned to stay ten days, and will soon be leaving.
Joel’s hospital visit is not expected to affect his fall tour
plans. He and Elton John were forced to cancel several dates on
their Face to Face tour this past spring after Joel was diagnosed
with acute laryngitis, inflamed vocal chords and an acute upper
respiratory infection. The tour was called off after a troubled New
York City date, for which a New York Times review said
that Joel, who warned the audience that he had a cold, seemed to
have taken “something quite a bit stronger than cough syrup.”
Joel quickly responded with a statement that read: “I did not
want to let my hometown down. I pushed it more than I should have.
I have been assured by my doctors that I will make a complete
recovery and will be able to give the audience 100 percent and
perform the kick-ass show that Elton and I have been doing on this
tour.”
The eleven dates have since been rescheduled, starting September
13th in Tampa and running into October.