NEW YORK – The Piano Man is deciding to stay silent: Billy Joel is canceling his planned memoir.
“The Book of Joel” was scheduled for publication in June. The HarperCollins book was billed as an “emotional ride” that would detail the music legend’s failed marriages, including his union with Christie Brinkley, as well as his battles with substance abuse.
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Earlier this month, HarperCollins revealed the cover photograph for the book, and Joel’s editor promised it would contain details “he has never revealed before.”
But in a statement to The Associated Press on Thursday, Joel 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,” he said.
HarperCollins confirmed Thursday that the deal had been canceled. Spokeswoman Tina Andreadis said the book was well into the editing process, but Joel had not approved or finalized the text and 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. Mick Jagger backed out of a deal in the early 1980s.
Prince Harry vows proper wedding speech
LONDON – Prince Harry says he’ll be careful not to offend Queen Elizabeth II with his wedding speech honoring his older brother Prince William.
He has told “Good Morning America” that he’ll have to be selective in what he says because his grandmother will be in the audience at the April 29 royal wedding and at the reception to follow.
The interview aired Thursday as Harry continued an Arctic charity trek in support of wounded servicemen. The goal is to raise $3.2 million for the Walking With the Wounded charity.
He also welcomes Kate Middleton into the royal family, saying that she and William are a perfect match.
Canadian singer weds Argentine TV actress
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Canadian pop star Michael Buble married Argentine TV actress Luisana Lopilato in a civil ceremony on Thursday.
The Grammy-winning singer of “Crazy Love” and his Argentine sweetheart posed for a mob of fans after tying the knot at a civil registry in downtown Buenos Aires.
She wore a lilac chiffon dress with silver high heels and Buble wore a sharp gray suit as he leaned down for a smooch.
Then Lopilato, 23, tossed a bouquet of purple orchids into the crowd as some fans threw rice and red rose petals and a young woman shouted “I love you, Michael!”
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