Billy Joel not dead, confirms publicist after Google hoax

O assessor de imprensa de Billy Joel confirmou que o cantor ainda está vivo, após um erro no Google que alegou que o 77‑ano havia falecido na quinta-feira.

The search engine included an information box on the ‘Piano Man’ legend, which stated his date of death as yesterday (September 17). This sparked a flurry of concern online, with Joel’s publicist confirming to Newsday that he is still among us.

Search results for "Billy Joel" on Thursday included an informational box that read: "Died Sept. 17, 2026.

Billy’s not dead," the singer’s publicist, Claire Mercuri, said firmly. "I was just emailing with him.

Joel has been battling health issues recently, which caused him to cancel tour dates last year. On social media, he announced he had been diagnosed with a brain disorder, normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), which affects a brain disorder that can cause problems with hearing and balance.

Em janeiro, ele se apresentou ao vivo pela primeira vez desde o diagnóstico, aparecendo ao lado de seu próprio tributo, uma banda chamada Turnstiles, na Flórida.

A filha de Joel, Alexa Ray, disse em março que seu pai está “doing great”.

No início deste mês, Billy Joel anunciou a morte de seu amigo e colaborador de longa data, Jon Small. O diretor de videoclipes e músico teve uma presença distinta na vida pessoal e profissional de Joel, e os dois retrataram sua relação tumultuada no documentário “And So It Goes” do ano passado.

Another music legend was the subject of a false death rumour in May, when Bee Gees member Barry Gibb’s team responded to a social media hoax about his passing. Family sources told TMZ that the claims of his passing are false, and added that Gibb is “healthy, happy, and living life at his Miami-area home”.

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