When was Billy Joel diagnosed with a brain disorder? Details explored as singer appears on stage since diagnosis

Singing legend Billy Joel performs for the first time after his diagnosis.

The icon kicked off the new year with a surprise performance on Friday night, as he sang two songs with a tribute band at an outdoor show in Florida’s Palm Beach County. This came as a pleasant surprise due to the fact that this was Joel's first time singing since being diagnosed with a brain disorder, which affects his balance. Joel was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) in May 2025.

Billy Joel took the stage with his group Turnstiles, singing and playing the piano. He performed his hits such as Big Shot and We Didn’t Start the Fire. His wife, Alexis Roderick, and daughters, Della and Remy, joined him onstage, making the moment that much more special. They performed together with him for the 12-minute cameo.

The entire moment between the group and Billy was quite wholesome. He had reportedly asked permission to come up to join the group. He came up and joked,

“I wasn’t planning on working tonight,” followed by the Turnstiles frontman asking him, "You want to sing it or am I gonna sing it?”

Joel continued the lighthearted conversation with a question, "What are we doing?” and the frontman matched his energy, "A Billy Joel song, how about?”

The Vienna singer playfully said, "I can give it a try. I know the guy who wrote it,” before diving into “We Didn’t Start the Fire.”

The performance was followed up with Big Shot. As the Joel family exited the stage, the group's singer said,

"I have to be dreaming this. I’m gonna pinch myself. It had to happen sooner or later, right?… We wanna see you on stage soon.”

The show was to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the incorporation of the village of Wellington.

Billy Joel's diagnosis

Billy stopped his tour due to a buildup of fluid on his brain and was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), which requires physical therapy, and though he is better, the illness affects his balance.

At the time of his diagnosis, a statement was released stating,

"This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance."

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It continued, “Under his doctor’s instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period. Billy 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.”

This year, his two-part HBO documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, came out in July, directed by Lacy and Jessica Levin. It was screened at the Tribeca Film Festival, which was co-founded by Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal.

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