Elton John: Billy Joel Needs Harsher Rehab
Elton John and Billy Joel
Elton John says Billy Joel needs to get serious about rehab and "do something better than what you're doing now."
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Calling it "tough love," John tells Rolling Stone that he's upset with his longtime friend and tour-mate because they've had to cancel numerous dates on their Face to Face tour over the years due to Joel's various ailments and "alcoholism."
"He's going to hate me for this, but every time he goes to rehab they've been light," John says. "When I went to rehab, I had to clean the floors. He goes to rehab where they have TVs. 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."
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Joel has done two stints in rehab: once for two weeks in a Connecticut facility in 2002 and another time for 30 days in 2005 at the Betty Ford Center.
"At the end of the day, he's coasting," John adds. "I always say, 'Billy, can't you write another song?' It's either fear or laziness. It upsets me. Billy's a conundrum."
In a statement released Wednesday, Joel dismissed John's comments as "random" and said they wouldn't change the affection he has for him.
"Elton is just being Elton," Joel said.