New Delhi: The Piano Man Billy Joel’s world-famous motorcycle collection is all set for a record-breaking auction.
On Monday, Joel’s official Instagram page announced that the collection is heading to Rétromobile New York on 20-21 November. Gooding Christie’s will host his collection of more than 70 motorcycles.
“Billy’s world-famous motorcycle collection is heading to auction at Rétromobile New York this fall. Gooding Christie’s will present over 70 lots from his personal garage at the Javits Centre on November 20-21,” the announcement read.
The Instagram post further said that fans can view select bikes on public display at Christie’s Rockefeller Centre from October 8-12.
Joel’s bike collection, set for auction, includes Ducati, BMW, Moto Guzzi, Harley-Davidson, Yamaha, Triumph, Honda, Kawasaki, and more.
The collection will feature a custom-painted 1978 Triumph T140 Bonneville, which Madison Square Garden gifted for Joel’s 150th sold-out show at the venue.
The American singer’s motorcycle collection also includes the 1982 Ducati 900 Mike Hailwood Replica, built to commemorate Mike Hailwood’s legendary 1978 Isle of Man TT comeback victory.
The earnings from the sale will be used to support the five-time Grammy-winner’s organisation, The Joel Foundation.
Joel reportedly planned to auction his collection following his diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH).
Last year, the singer reportedly closed his motorcycle shop, 20th Century Cycles, in Oyster Bay, New York after his diagnosis.
Earlier this month, he opened up about his health during an appearance on SiriusXM’s The Billy Joel Channel. Joel recalled noticing that his “balance was not good” after he fell during a concert.
He was then diagnosed with NPH, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain’s ventricles. Joel began physical therapy, but doctors later recommended a shunt procedure to help manage the condition.
“I said, ‘Well, what does that entail?’ ‘Well, we drill a hole through your skull, and we stick a shunt inside your brain.’ I said, ‘Nah, I think I’ll pass on that,’” Joel recalled.
He added that he initially didn’t want to undergo the procedure but later researched it and learned it could improve his balance and memory.
“You know, I don’t want to lose my marbles,” he said.
(Edited by Insha Jalil Waziri)