At a Glance
- Billy Joel returned to the stage on Jan 2, performing with tribute band Turnstiles after a 2025 brain disorder diagnosis.
- He walked to the piano with a cane while the crowd chanted his name.
- The set included “We Didn’t Start the Fire” and “Big Shot” with his daughters dancing beside him.
- Why it matters: Fans and health observers see his comeback as a hopeful sign of recovery.
Billy Joel surprised fans in Wellington, Florida, when he stepped onto the amphitheater’s stage for a two-song set with the tribute band “Turnstiles.” The appearance marked his first public performance since the May 23, 2025 diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus.
The Surprise Performance
Joel joked, “I wasn’t planning on working tonight,” according to the Palm Beach Post. When asked what he was doing, the band suggested a Billy Joel song, and he replied, “I can give it a try… I know the guy who wrote it.” He sang “We Didn’t Start the Fire” and “Big Shot,” while his daughters Della and Remy danced beside the piano.
- “We Didn’t Start the Fire”
- “Big Shot”
Tony Monaco of Turnstiles said:
> “I have to be dreaming this… Pinch me. Pinch me please.”
Diagnosis and Recovery
The diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus caused hearing, vision, and balance problems. A statement released on May 23 said Joel was undergoing physical therapy and advised to refrain from performing during recovery. He had canceled 17 concerts scheduled between July 2025 and July 2026 and had last performed in February 2025 in Connecticut.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 23, 2025 | Diagnosis announced |
| Feb 2025 | Last live performance |
| Jan 2, 2026 | Surprise stage appearance |
Tony Monaco later added, “This is one hell of a way to kick off 2026, I gotta tell you! Billy, God bless you, man. I want to see you on stage soon.”
Key Takeaways
- Billy Joel’s Jan 2 return signals a hopeful step toward recovery.
- The performance was with tribute band Turnstiles and featured two classic hits.
- The comeback follows a 2025 diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus and a canceled tour.
Joel’s brief return to the stage offers fans a glimpse of his resilience and a potential sign that he may resume touring in the future.
