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Billy Joel is alive following Google search error
A Google search error briefly indicated that singer Billy Joel had died on September 17, 2026. The musician’s publicist, Claire Mercuri, quickly refuted the claim, stating, “Billy’s not dead. I was just emailing with him.”
A Google spokesperson clarified that the error was not a manual change by the company, noting that “when people vandalize public info sources, this can affect the information that appears in Search.”
The confusion follows recent news regarding Joel’s health. The 77-year-old singer recently underwent surgery to treat normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a brain disorder affecting balance and hearing. Joel explained that the surgery involved installing a shunt to prevent further nerve damage and improve his condition, noting that he is currently focusing on physical therapy and recovery.