Since Elton John gave Billy Joel some "tough love" and called him out as an alcoholic in a Rolling Stone interview, the two iconic musicians have been back and forth against each other in the media.

Elton said he knew his longtime friend would "hate him" for it, but he was quite outspoken about the piano man needing to "do something better" with his life and enter into a real rehab program for his "alcoholism."

"At the end of the day, he's coasting," Elton said of his former touring partner. Billy had to cancel several concerts due to illness, which Elton attributed to his drinking problem. "I always say, 'Billy, can't you write another song?' It's either fear or laziness. It upsets me. Billy's a conundrum... 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."

Billy told the press last week he's "worked with Elton for such a long time and I've enjoyed our relationship too much to let something as random as these comments change my affection for him. Elton is just being Elton."

But on Friday, Billy released a statement through his publicist making his thoughts on Elton very clear.