> At a Glance
> – Billy Joel stunned a Florida crowd with a two-song cameo on Jan. 2
> – It was his first live appearance since revealing a brain condition last May
> – He performed with a cane and was joined by his two youngest daughters
> – Why it matters: The surprise signals a cautious return for the 76-year-old icon after treatment for normal pressure hydrocephalus
Fans watching a Billy Joel cover band in Wellington, Fla., got the real thing when the Piano Man himself walked onstage Thursday night-his first performance since disclosing a neurological diagnosis last spring.
The Surprise Appearance
Joel, 76, took the amphitheater stage wearing a winter vest and black cap, leaning on a cane. He joked, “I wasn’t planning on working tonight,” then launched into “We Didn’t Start the Fire” and “Big Shot” with the tribute group Turnstiles.
His daughters Della, 10, and Remy, 8, danced beside him as the crowd chanted his name.
Health Update
In May, Joel announced he has normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)-a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid that affects balance, vision, and hearing. Doctors ordered him to stop performing while undergoing physical therapy, prompting the cancellation of all remaining 2025 dates.
| Symptom | Impact |
|---|---|
| Balance | Uses cane onstage |
| Vision | Cited in May statement |
| Hearing | Cited in May statement |
Key Takeaways
- Joel’s Jan. 2 cameo marks his first public performance since the diagnosis
- He remains cautious, performing only two songs with assistance
- NPH is reversible with surgery, according to the Cleveland Clinic
- Joel told News Of Los Angeles in July, “I’m doing my best to work with it and to recover”
The brief set offered hopeful proof that the Grammy winner is edging back toward the spotlight.
