SINGER JOEL CHECKS INTO HOSPITAL FOR SUBSTANCE-ABUSE TREATMENT

Singer-songwriter Billy Joel, 53, checked into a hospital for
substance-abuse treatment last week, the Advocate of Stamford, Conn.,
reported. Joel, who lives on Long Island, is being treated at the
chemical-dependency center of Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan, Conn.

Joel recently rescheduled concert tour dates with Elton John, saying he was
ill.

He joins a long list of celebrities who have spent time at the Silver Hill
psychiatric and substance-abuse treatment center. Pop star Mariah Carey
checked into Silver Hill last summer after an "emotional and physical
breakdown,'' according to her publicist. Other notables include Michael
Jackson, Liza Minnelli, Gregg Allman and Joan Kennedy.