One of his ex-wives added, “We all want you back in that white hot spotlight. You’re OUR piano man.” Despite his health struggles, he isn’t retiring. An insider told People, “He is not retiring and hopes to be able to resume performing as his recovery progresses.”
Positive signs
Through every heartbreak, betrayal, and health scare, this music legend has remained resilient, proving that the mic stays hot for those who refuse to let life silence them — this is the story of Billy Joel.
Nearly a year after unexpectedly canceling his tour due to a rare brain disorder, there’s hope that Billy Joel could return to performing.
His daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, shared a positive update with the Hollywood Reporter, saying, “He’s doing physical therapy regularly and he’s doing great. He’s lost weight as he’s on his diet. I’m so proud of him. He’s such a trooper, so resilient and committed to being healthy and proactive. He’s a fighter. He’s always been a fighter and talks in his documentary about how life’s like a fight.”
Joel’s last full concert was in February 2025 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut. Shortly afterward, he postponed his tour to undergo surgery and therapy for his diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a condition that doctors said was worsened by performing, affecting his hearing, vision, and balance.
Despite the setback, Joel has stayed optimistic. Last July, he told Bill Maher’s Club Random Podcast, “I feel good. They keep referring to what I have as a brain disorder, so it sounds a lot worse than what I’m feeling.”
Fans hoping to see him back on stage got a small taste of live performance in January, 2026, when he joined tribute band Turnstiles in Florida for “We Didn’t Start the Fire” and “Big Shot.”
“I wasn’t planning on working tonight,” he joked during the surprise appearance, hinting that the Piano Man isn’t ready to hang up his keys just yet.
