Billy Joel Depression: 'Piano Man' Says Car Crash Caused By Depression, Not Alcohol

Pop singer Billy Joel opened up recently about events that led to his name being in the headlines a few years back for things other than writing new tunes. In an interview with the New York Times, Billy Joel said that one of the car accidents he was involved in during the early 2000s had nothing to do with a bottle of red, bottle of white, nor bottle of rosé instead.

"I was kind of in a mental fog, and it had nothing to do with the booze," Joel said. The man from Hicksville revealed that it was the heartless attacks of 9/11 on his home city of New York that led him into a deep state of depression. "9/11 knocked the wind out of me, and I don't know even now if I've recovered from it," he said.

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Joel cites the onset of depression as being at fault for his turning to alcohol. He said he used "booze as medication" for the ills of his life at the time. He cited a relationship breakup among other things that he said amalgamated the situation.

He did admit that alcohol has played an increasing role in his life. "I can't smell the stuff anymore, it makes me sick," Joel said of vodka, his choice beverage. His wife at the time of his stint in rehab, Katie Lee, reportedly was the force that led him to seek help for his observed addiction.

Though the Piano Man's famous pompadour from the days of Cold Spring Harbor is long gone, the balding musician said he still enjoys performing, noting his set at the recent Hurricane Sandy benefit concert, despite not penning a major song in over 20 years. He referred to fellow performers Pete Townshend of The Who and Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones as "Rocking Chair Rockers", saying his 64 years of age made him seem young in comparison to the others that performed at the show.

And so it goes for the 20^th Century music legend that did everything from putting a small former steel-town in Pennsylvania on the map, to creating the most fun 40-year history lesson any academic curriculum has seen.