{"id":2221231,"date":"2026-01-03T23:34:36","date_gmt":"2026-01-03T23:34:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2221231"},"modified":"2026-01-03T23:34:36","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T23:34:36","slug":"billy-joel-performs-for-the-1st-time-since-brain-disorder-diagnosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/billy-joel-performs-for-the-1st-time-since-brain-disorder-diagnosis\/","title":{"rendered":"Billy Joel Performs for the 1st Time Since Brain Disorder Diagnosis"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Billy Joel<\/strong> <\/a>took the stage for the first time since he was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH).<\/p>\n

Joel, 76, performed a two-song concert at Wellington\u2019s 30th birthday party in Florida on Friday, January 2, according to The Palm Beach Post<\/a>. <\/i>The outlet reported that Joel sang his hits \u201cWe Didn\u2019t Start the Fire\u201d and \u201cBig Shot\u201d for the crowd.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t planning on working tonight,\u201d Joel quipped at the start of his set, seemingly acknowledging his diagnosis and the toll it has taken on his professional career.<\/p>\n

After Joel\u2019s impromptu show, the crowd applauded the musician by repeatedly chanting his first name.<\/p>\n

Joel announced in May 2025 that he was diagnosed with NPH and needed to cancel his then-upcoming tour to recuperate. (NPH, according to the Cleveland Clinic, is a brain disorder where fluid builds up in the skull and, if left untreated, can permanently destroy brain tissue.)<\/p>\n

\u201cThis condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance,\u201d an Instagram statement<\/a> read. \u201cUnder his doctor\u2019s instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during the recovery period.\u201d<\/p>\n

The note continued, \u201cBilly is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health. He is grateful for the support from fans during this time and looks forward to the day when he can, once again, take the stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joel also shared a personal note at the time, stating that he was \u201csincerely sorry\u201d to disappoint any fans and, in the wake of his canceled concerts, was grateful for their \u201cunderstanding.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joel\u2019s eldest daughter, Alexa, subsequently offered her support.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe love you and we got you, Pop! I just wanted to thank you all for the beautiful outpouring of love and support<\/a> amid the recent news of my father\u2019s health diagnosis,\u201d Alexa, whom Joel shares with ex-wife Christie Brinkley<\/strong>, wrote via Instagram at the time. \u201cMy dad is the strongest and most resilient man I\u2019ve ever known, and he\u2019s entirely committed to making a full recovery with ongoing physical-therapy treatments as he continues to regain his strength.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Billy Joel Denies DUIs, Talks Elton John Drama and More in New Doc<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tBilly Joel bared it all in Billy Joel: And So It Goes. The two-part HBO documentary \u2014 released on July 18 and July 25 \u2014 offered an inside look into the Piano Man\u2019s life, exploring \u201cthe love, loss, and personal struggles that fuel his songwriting,\u201d according to the film\u2019s official description. \u201cI\u2019m not finished. \u2026 [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Weeks later, Joel\u2019s friend Howard Stern<\/strong> revealed that the singer\u2019s condition wasn\u2019t cause for concern.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw Billy Joel two weeks ago [and] we had dinner together,\u201d Stern, 71, said on his radio show in June 2025<\/a>. \u201cHe\u2019s doing fine. He does have issues, but he said, \u2018Yeah, you can tell people I\u2019m not dying.\u2019 He wants people to know that. He\u2019s got to deal with some medical stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stern further teased that it was \u201cdelightful\u201d to see Billy and his wife, Alexis Roderick Joel<\/strong>. (Billy and Alexis, 43, share two daughters.)<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had a great time with the wives,\u201d Howard said, also referring to his wife, Beth Stern<\/strong>. \u201cWe had a great conversation. I was telling him [that] I\u2019m enjoying playing classical music on the guitar. He lit up because that\u2019s what he\u2019s into. It was even his birthday, so I brought out the guitar and sang \u2018Happy Birthday\u2019 to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

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