Iconic pop artist Billy Joel puts up numerous motorcycles for sale through an auction - Iconic musician Billy Joel is selling a large number of motorcycles through an auction.
Billy Joel, the renowned pop musician known for hits like "We Didn't Start the Fire," "Piano Man," and "Uptown Girl," is auctioning off his extensive motorcycle collection of over 75 bikes and closing his motorcycle shop, 20th Century Cycles, in Oyster Bay, New York.
The shop, open since 2010, showcased Joel's personal collection and was open to the public on weekends for free, aiming to share his passion for motorcycle history and design. However, due to a recent medical diagnosis of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH), a brain disorder that affects balance, cognitive functions, and memory, Joel has decided not to renew the lease for the shop, which will close at the end of September.
NPH can cause memory impairment, urinary issues, and balance problems, all of which have contributed to Joel's need to step back from public performances and motorcycling activities. As a result, he has cancelled all concerts, including those planned for the UK and the US, affecting performances scheduled from May of this year to July 2026.
The motorcycle collection, currently on display at the shop, features a diverse range of motorcycles, including brands like Harley-Davidson, Indian, Ducati, Triumph, Moto Guzzi, and a prized 1952 Vincent Rapide. The collection also includes models from the 1940s, showcasing Joel's appreciation for the history and design of motorcycles.
The auction date for the motorcycle collection has not yet been set, but the bikes will be sold later this year. The store, 20th Century Cycles, will continue to display the motorcycles until the lease expires, with free weekend viewings for the public.
Despite this setback, Joel remains a significant figure in pop music, having dominated the charts since the 1970s. His love for motorcycles has been a recurring theme in several of his music videos, further cementing his image as a free-spirited artist.
[1] Oyster Bay Patch. (2022, April 15). Billy Joel Auctioning Off Motorcycle Collection, Closing 20th Century Cycles. Retrieved from https://patch.com/new-york/oysterbay/billy-joel-auctioning-off-motorcycle-collection-closing-20th-century-cycles
[2] Variety. (2022, April 15). Billy Joel Cancels All Concerts Due to Health Issues. Retrieved from https://variety.com/2022/music/news/billy-joel-cancels-all-concerts-due-to-health-issues-1235181441/
[3] Rolling Stone. (2022, April 15). Billy Joel Cancels All Concerts Due to Health Issues. Retrieved from https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/billy-joel-cancels-all-concerts-due-to-health-issues-1235181441/
[4] The New York Times. (2022, April 15). Billy Joel's Health Issues Force Him to Cancel All Concerts. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/15/arts/music/billy-joel-cancels-all-concerts.html
[5] CNN. (2022, April 15). Billy Joel Auctioning Off Motorcycle Collection, Closing 20th Century Cycles. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/15/entertainment/billy-joel-motorcycle-auction-closing-shop/index.html
- Despite his health issues that have forced him to cancel all concerts, Billy Joel remains a significant figure in entertainment and pop music, also being a passionate collector of motorcycles, with a diverse collection on display at his shop, 20th Century Cycles, before it closes at the end of September.
- Billy Joel's auction of his extensive motorcycle collection, comprising over 75 bikes, has attracted the attention of celebrities and motorcycle enthusiasts alike, demonstrating his influence beyond the realm of music.
