Motorcycles are among the most human things to be into. They’re raw, loud, and not always practical, but they’re also about freedom, self-expression, and sometimes straight-up hedonism. To me, bikes represent the pursuit of joy in its purest form. And whenever I see a mainstream celebrity or musician who shares that same passion, it makes me like them even more.
We tend to put stars on a pedestal, idolize them as though they’re larger than life. But strip all that away and they’re still just people like us—they eat, drink, take a shit, and chase happiness in the ways they know how.
That’s why Billy Joel’s story hits especially hard for me. I’ve always known the Piano Man was into motorcycles. In fact, back in 2010, he opened a place called 20th Century Cycles in Oyster Bay, Long Island. It wasn’t a flashy showroom to sell bikes, but more like a living museum where he displayed his personal collection of more than 75 motorcycles—Harleys, Triumphs, Indians, Ducatis, Moto Guzzis, BMWs, and even a rare 1952 Vincent Rapide.
And here’s the kicker: he didn’t charge a penny for folks to come in and see them. He just wanted fans and fellow enthusiasts to appreciate the beauty of those machines from the ’30s to the ’60s, an era he felt was fading from memory.
Sadly, the shop is closing its doors this September. Joel, now 76, has been diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus—a condition where fluid builds up in the brain, causing issues with balance, memory, and thinking. He’s already canceled upcoming concerts after struggling with walking and stability. He’s been candid about it too, saying he still feels good otherwise, but balance is a challenge.
It’s tough news, because you can tell bikes weren’t just a hobby for him; they were part of who he is. He’s ridden for decades, even after surviving a serious crash in 1982 when a car hit him on Long Island. He’s joined charity rides for 9/11 first responders, breast cancer research, and other causes. Motorcycles have been intertwined with his life and legacy almost as much as music.
For someone like me, who considers himself an old soul despite being a ’90s kid, Billy Joel’s music has always meant a lot. I’ve spent countless hours with his songs, which to me have always felt timeless. Knowing he also loved motorcycles just made him feel more relatable, like we were connected in some small way across generations. And now, hearing that he’s being forced to let go of something so close to his heart—it’s gut-wrenching.
The truth is, thousands of people go through the same thing every day. They have to give up passions, hobbies, or careers because life throws something at them they can’t control. That’s the most human part of this story: it doesn’t matter if you’re a global icon or just another rider in the crowd, we all face those moments of loss. My heart goes out to Billy Joel and anyone else who’s had to put down something they love. Here’s wishing him the best, and hopefully, somehow, he gets to swing a leg over a bike and ride up and down that Yellow Brick Road again.
Sources: 20th Century Cycles, People, WXII
