Elton John is giving Billy Joel some tough love in the new issue of Rolling Stone.  I hope that he picked up the phone and called Billy before he brought this up to the world.

Elton John reflects on his 40-year career. Just days after the birth of his son Zachary, John speaks about the joys of fatherhood, his enduring relationship with lyricist Bernie Taupin, how he's mentored Eminem through difficult times – and his true feelings about his longtime friend and tourmate Billy Joel.

"At the end of the day, he's coasting," John tells Scaggs."I always say, 'Billy, can't you write another song?' It's either fear or laziness. It upsets me. Billy's a conundrum. We've had so many cancelled tours because of illnesses and various other things, alcoholism."

He goes on to criticize Joel's past attempts to stop drinking. "He's going to hate me for this, but every time he goes to rehab they've been light," John says. "When I went to rehab, I had to clean the floors. He goes to rehab where they have TVs. I love you, Billy, and this is tough love. Billy, you have your demons and you're not going to get rid of them at rehab light. You've got to be serious. People adore you, they love you and respect you. You should be able to do something better than what you're doing now."

More From KOOL 101.7