Publicist Confirms Billy Joel Alive After Google Search Hoax

Billy Joel’s publicist has confirmed that the singer is still alive, following a Google glitch that claimed the 77-year-old had passed away on Thursday.

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.

“Billy’s not dead,” Claire Mercuri said. “I was just emailing with him.” Joel is yet to address the error himself on social media.

> Don’t worry, Billy Joel is alive. 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." On his SiriusXM channel last… pic.twitter.com/7HFOKXTRej — Newsday (@Newsday) September 17, 2026

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.

In January, he played live for the first time since his diagnosis , appearing alongside his own tribute act, a band named Turnstiles, in Florida. Joel‘s daughter, Alexa Ray, said in March that her father is “doing great”. “He’s lost weight as he’s on his diet” she told The Hollywood Reporter . “I’m so proud of him. He’s such a trooper, so resilient and committed to being healthy and proactive. He’s a fighter.”

Earlier this month, Billy Joel announced the death of his friend and longtime collaborator, Jon Small . The music video director and musician had a distinct presence in Joel’s personal and professional life, and the two charted their tumultuous relationship in last year’s ‘And So It Goes’ documentary.

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”.

The post Billy Joel not dead, confirms publicist after Google hoax appeared first on NME .

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