The New York Times reported this day in 1982 that Billy Joel, singer and songwriter, but most importantly, biker, had been injured in a motorcycle accident on Long Island leaving him all shook up.
Billy was taken to a hospital with his condition was reported as “quite good” after major surgery to his right writst and left thumb, which probably leaves more questions than it answers.
The surgeon said the artist should regain ‘‘full activity in regard to his occupation’’ in three to four months. Presumably in response to the question, “Will I be able to play the piano, man?”
It’s not known whether Billy followed up with the usual punchline.
‘‘He’ll be fine,’’ said Elizabeth Joel, the 32-year-old performer’s wife, with less sarcasm than she would have enjoyed two years later when Billy divorced her to shack up with Christie Brinkley. ‘‘We’re all highly relieved. He’s in excellent spirits, he feels great, but his hands hurt.’’ When asked if she knew anything about bears or Popes, Mrs Joel declined to comment.
Suffolk County police said Mr. Joel was riding his 1978 Harley Davidson through the intersection of New York Avenue and West Ninth Street in Huntington at about 5:40pm when the bike struck a car driven by *checks notes* an idiot when the driver, getting closer, made a turn onto New York Avenue.
The hospital switchboard was jammed yesterday with calls from the rock star’s fans. A spokesman for Billy asked that that the calls cease because they were ‘‘tying up lines for those people who are really sick.’’ A somewhat harsh assessment of Joel’s condition, but that’s New Yorkers for you.
The driver, Cornelia Bynum, broke her code of silence and said, while it ain’t no crime to turn right on the intersection, in all honesty it is important to get it right first time and look before movin’ out.
