Oct 10, 2005, 11:10 GMT
Billy Joel once drank furniture polish in an apparent attempt to kill himself.
In a new book, 'Billy Joel: The Life & Times of an Angry Young Man', author Hank Bordowitz claims the star one drank furniture polish because it would be easier than swilling down bleach.
The singer - who has had a well-documented battle with alcohol - is quoted as saying: "I drank furniture polish. It looked tastier than bleach."
Before he drank it, Joel reportedly wrote a suicide note that eventually became the lyrics to 'Tomorrow Is Today'.
Bordowitz details how Joel's friend, drummer Jon Small, discovered him passed out in his closet and rushed him to hospital.
Joel - who was once married to supermodel Christie Brinkley - was moved to a psychiatric ward and put on suicide watch.
He later begged his manager to get him out of the ward, pleading: "These people are really crazy."
It's claimed the episode was brought on by the star's secret affair with Jon Small's wife, Elizabeth.
Joel later penned several songs for Elizabeth - who later became his wife - including, 'She's Got a Way' and 'She's Always a Woman'.
Copyright 2005 BANG Media International
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