Billy Joel Plays First Show Since Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Diagnosis

Billy Joel, photo by Myrna Suarez

Billy Joel returned to the spotlight on Friday with his first public performance since he announced his diagnosis with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. The iconic singer-songwriter joined Turnstiles, a Billy Joel tribute band, during their performance at Wellington, Florida’s Wellington Amphitheater, for two of his greatest hits. “I wasn’t planning on working tonight,” he joked to the audience as he stepped onstage.

Joel crossed to the piano to lead a roaring sing-along of the generational anthem “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” followed by the 52nd Street standout “Big Shot.” The performer was joined by his wife, Alexis Roderick, and daughters, Della and Remy, who danced alongside him.

Joel’s long-awaited return to the stage arrives nearly a year after his last full show at Uncasville, Conn.’s Mohegan Sun Arena on Feb. 22, where a trick with his microphone stand led to a fall during the encore. Weeks later, the artist postponed his stadium tour dates to recover from an unspecified condition; in May, he cancelled all live performances for the foreseeable future and shared his diagnosis with NPH, a disorder caused by fluid buildup in the brain. In interviews since, Joel said that he felt fine aside from issues keeping his balance; he walked with the aid of a cane on Friday night.

While Joel hasn’t announced any plans for a full-scale return yet, he’ll be the honoree at the Music of Billy Joel benefit concert, staging at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium on March 12. The 21st annual presentation of storied promoter Michael Dorf’s Music Of tribute series will salute the icon and raise funds for music education programs with a cast including Rufus Wainwright, The War and Treaty, Bettye LaVette, Joy Oladokun, Tanya Tucker, Mary Chapin Carpenter and more. Read more here.

Watch fan-recorded videos from Friday night below.