Billy Joel gave his first public performance since his brain disorder diagnosis, sitting in with a Billy Joel cover band in Florida over the weekend. Last year, Joel revealed he’d been diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) and canceled all his upcoming concerts.
South Florida Billy Joel cover band Turnstiles (not to be confused with Millennial hardcore punk band Turnstile) played Friday night at the 30th anniversary celebration for the Village of Wellington. Joel owns property nearby and took the stage using a cane, quipping, “I wasn’t planning on playing tonight.” With his daughters Della and Remy dancing onstage—a staple of his decade-long residency at Madison Square Garden—The Piano Man helped close the show with “We Didn’t Start the Fire” and “Big Shot”.
Billy Joel hasn’t performed live since February 2025, and in May of last year revealed he had NPH, a disorder where cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up in the brain, causing the ventricles to enlarge. According to an update on Joel’s website, “This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance. Under his doctor’s instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period.”
The following month, Howard Stern revealed that he had dinner with Joel following the show cancellations. Joel asked Stern to deliver a message to fans for him: “You can tell people, I’m not dying.”
With Billy Joel back onstage at the dawn of the new year, maybe there’s hope for new tour dates in 2026. Stay tuned for further developments, and watch Billy Joel sit in with Billy Joel cover band Turnstiles in Florida over the weekend.
Turnstiles, Billy Joel — “We Didn’t Start The Fire”, “Big Shot” — 1/2/26
[Video: Bob Markey]