Music legend Billy Joel is closing the doors of his Long Island motorcycle shop, a business he founded 15 years ago and filled with his extensive personal collection of vintage bikes. The shop, located in Oyster Bay where Joel was born and raised, featured motorcycles dating back to the 1940s.
Joel envisioned the shop as more than just a retail space. In a 2013 interview, he described it as selling an aesthetic. “I like the old style. I love the style of cars from the 30s to the 60s,” Joel explained. “I wanted to gather a whole bunch of those motorcycles in one place and show people what the machinery of that era looked like. We’re starting to forget what aesthetics are.”
His motivation for opening the shop was also deeply rooted in his connection to his hometown community, aiming to attract locals to Oyster Bay.
This business closure follows significant health challenges for the 76-year-old musician. Earlier this year, in May, Joel announced the cancellation of all his concert performances after receiving a diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus. The artist stated this condition has impacted his hearing, vision, and sense of balance.
Following his doctor’s instructions, Joel is currently undergoing specialized physical therapy. A representative for the star confirmed that Joel has been advised to refrain from performing during his recovery period. The closure of his motorcycle shop marks another step back from public ventures as he focuses on his health.
