The Piano Man joined the Billy Joel cover band Turnstiles for his first public set since last February.

Billy Joel surprises fans with first performance since brain disorder diagnosis

The Piano Man joined the Billy Joel cover band Turnstiles for his first public set since last February.

By Shania Russell

Shania Russell

Shania Russell is a news writer at *, *with five years of experience. Her work has previously appeared in SlashFilm and Paste Magazine.

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January 4, 2026 12:04 p.m. ET

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Billy Joel performs in Las Vegas in November 2024. Credit:

Ethan Miller/Getty

The Piano Man can't stay away from the stage forever.

Billy Joel kicked off the New Year by surprising a Florida crowd with his first live performance since receiving his brain disorder diagnosis in 2025. The Billy Joel cover band Turnstiles was celebrating the 30th anniversary of Wellington, Fla., with a set on Friday when they were joined on stage by Joel himself.

"I wasn't planning on working tonight," Joel quipped while seated at a piano, reported *The Palm Beach Post*. He then delivered a two-song set, performing "We Didn't Start the Fire" and "Big Shot" while his daughters Della and Remy danced alongside him. His wife, Alexis Roderick, also joined him on stage.

Footage from the occasion showed Joel using a cane as he walked on stage to his place at the piano bench. One of the band's members then leaned over and joked, "You want to sing it, or am I gonna sing it?"

Billy Joel performs in February 2025.

Myrna M. Suarez/Getty

As the crowd cheered and chanted Joel's name, the group huddled to chat. Afterwards, Joel joked, "What are we doing?"

One of the band members replied, "A Billy Joel song, how about?"

Laughing, Joel replied, "I can give it a try. I know the guy who wrote it."

After performing the pair of hit songs, Joel stood to exit the stage as a member of Turnstiles marveled at his surprise appearance. "I have to be dreaming this," he said. "I'm gonna pinch myself. It had to happen sooner or later, right?… We wanna see you on stage soon."

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Joel has avoided live performances since his 2025 break from touring after he announced that he had been diagnosed with a neurological disorder called normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). The disorder occurs when cerebrospinal fluid builds up inside the skull and presses on the brain.

In a July interview with Bill Maher, Joel reassured fans that the condition "sounds a lot worse than what I'm feeling," explaining that it primarily affects his balance.

When he first revealed his diagnosis in May 2025, Joel also announced the cancellation of his scheduled tour dates because of his issues with balance, vision, and hearing as a result of the condition.

"Under his doctor's instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period," his official statement at the time read. "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."

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