Billy Joel cancels his memoir
(CBS/AP) Billy Joel is canceling his planned memoir, "The Book of Joel."
The book was scheduled to hit shelves in June. But in a statement to The Associated Press on Thursday, the 61-year-old said he had changed his mind.
"It took working on writing a book to make me realize that I'm not all that interested in talking about the past, and that the best expression of my life and its ups and downs has been and remains my music," Joel said.
The HarperCollins book was billed as an "emotional ride" that would detail the rock legend's failed marriages, including his union with model Christie Brinkley, as well as his battles with substance abuse.
HarperCollins confirmed Thursday that the deal had ended. Spokeswoman Tina Andreadis said that the book was well into the editing process, but that Joel had not approved or finalized the text and that no copies had been printed. The publisher had planned a first printing of 250,000 copies.
Joel isn't the first musician to cancel a book. Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger backed out of a deal in the early 1980s, saying he couldn't remember anything of interest. Sean "P. Diddy" Combs never turned in a memoir he was scheduled to write for Random House Inc and ended up being sued in 2005 for money the publisher claimed he owed.
Joel is considered one of music's all time greats: He's a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer who has sold millions with hits that included "Uptown Girl," "New York State of Mind" and "Just the Way You Are," and his deal was believed to be worth seven figures.
Several other rock stars have had success with their memoirs including Eric Clapton ("Clapton: The Autobiography") and Keither Richards ("Life").