BILLY JOEL and SIR ELTON JOHN
ended their feud at the Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony in New York City on
Thursday night (13Jun13) after the Piano Man told the Rocket Man to call him
just after he introduced inductees Mick Jones and Lou Gramm of Foreigner.
The former pals and touring
partners fell out in 2011 when the Brit publicly accused Joel of not taking
rehab seriously as he attempted to battle alcoholism in a blunt magazine
interview, during which he also suggested the New Yorker was lazy.
The I'm Still Standing rocker
told Rolling Stone, "He's going to hate me for this, but every time he
goes to rehab they've been light. 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."
He added, "At the end of
the day, he's coasting. I always say, 'Billy, can't you write another song?'
It's either fear or laziness. It upsets me."
Joel was clearly saddened by
Elton's comments and publicly reprimanded him, but revisiting the feud in a New
York Times Magazine article, which was published last month (May13), it
appeared the My Life hitmaker had mellowed, stating, "He (Elton) tends to
shoot off his mouth - he shoots from the hip. I think his heart is in the right
place. Maybe he's trying to motivate me, to get me mad or something. He's kind
of like a mum."
Joel also recently stated he
would be interested in performing with his fellow rock pianist again.
Elton, who was honoured with
the Johnny Mercer Award at the music gala, offered to officially end the pair's
stand-off at the Songwriters Hall of Fame event when he took the stage and
said, "I didn't see you tonight Mr. Joel, but I want to see you."
And his gamble paid off - Joel
later took to the microphone and asked, "Is Elton still here by the way?"
before adding, "Anyway, we're OK. Call me. It's the same phone
number."
As well as Elton and his
longtime songwriting partner Bernie Taupin, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe
Perry and singer-songwriter J.D. Souther were saluted at Marriott Marquis Hotel
gala, while Motown founder Berry Gordy was handed the Pioneer Award. (Source)
