Billy Joel Plays First Show Since Brain Disorder Diagnosis
Pitchfork••entertainment
Key Points:
- On January 2, Billy Joel performed live for the first time since revealing his brain disorder diagnosis, joining the tribute band Turnstiles in Wellington, Florida, for two songs.
- Joel played piano and sang “Big Shot” and “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” joking with the audience that he hadn’t planned to work that night.
- In March of the previous year, Joel postponed concerts to recover from surgery related to an undisclosed medical condition, later revealed as normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH).
- NPH is a brain disorder caused by fluid buildup, and Joel’s last full concert was in February 2025 before canceling subsequent dates for treatment.
