He Didn't Start the Fire

Sometimes a story just isn't meant to be told. Too often it's the readers to figure that fact out, but in this case, would-be memoirist Billy Joel was the first to say STOP, let's not start that fire.

Earlier this month, the Grammy-award-winning musician cancelled the publication of his memoir, which was only mere months away from release.

Deciding he didn't want to rehash his life story after writing the full manuscript, Joel is getting my utmost respect on this one. Sure, there will be disappointed fans, but not everything we write should see the light of day. Sometimes, it's just for us--the writers. And if Joel wants to give back his advance and keep his story his own, more power to him.

PopEater.com tells us more:

While everyone who has ever raised a toast to 'Captain Jack' or asked the 'Piano Man' to sing them a song was looking forward to reading Billy Joel's memoirs -- originally slated for release this summer -- they're going to have to wait a whole lot longer. Like, forever.

Joel has canceled the publication of his autobiography, 'The Book of Joel,' even after handing in a complete manuscript.

"It took working on writing a book to make me realize that I'm not all that interested in talking about the past," Joel told theAssociated Press. "The best expression of my life and its ups and downs has been and remains my music."

The publisher, HarperCollins, confirmed to the AP on Thursday that they have the finished manuscript in hand but that they have been forced to cancel their planned first run of 250,000 copies due to Joel's decision.

The book was said to contain not only the story of his rise to fame and fortune but also his failed marriages and substance abuse problems.

See the original post HERE