It has been almost a 12 months since Billy Joel needed to all of a sudden cancel his touring plans attributable to receiving a analysis of a uncommon mind dysfunction. It seems there may be some good mild on the finish of the tunnel so far as his probabilities of returning to the street.
His daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, shared a optimistic replace on how he is doing as he offers together with his situation, mind dysfunction regular strain hydrocephalus (NPH).
“He’s doing bodily remedy often and he’s doing nice. He’s misplaced weight as he’s on his weight loss program,” she informed the Hollywood Reporter in a brand new interview. “I’m so happy with him. He’s such a trooper, so resilient and dedicated to being wholesome and proactive. He’s a fighter. He’s all the time been a fighter and talks in his documentary about how life’s like a combat.”
What are Billy’s Well being Points?
The legendary songwriter’s most up-to-date full live performance occurred in February of 2025 at Mohegan Solar Area in Uncasville, Connecticut. Not lengthy after that, he introduced he was suspending his tour dates at the moment for 4 months, so he may endure surgical procedure and bodily remedy for an unspecified “medical situation.”
Two months later, he revealed that he’d be coming off the street and canceling all of his tour dates, because of the NPH analysis. Medical doctors had mentioned that his ongoing performances have been exacerbating his situation, “resulting in issues with listening to, imaginative and prescient and stability.”
Final July, the Piano Man was upbeat about his situation. “I really feel good,” he mentioned throughout an interview on Invoice Maher’s Membership Random Podcast. “They preserve referring to what I’ve as a mind dysfunction, so it sounds loads worse than what I’m feeling.”
READ MORE: Billy Joel: ‘I Really feel Good’ Following Mind Dysfunction Analysis
Will Billy Joel Tour Once more?
Followers have been anxious to see whether or not or not the 76-year outdated will have the ability to return to the stage. Fortunately, he made a shock look in January, performing “We Did not Begin the Hearth” and “Massive Shot” with a tribute band, Turnstiles, in Florida. “I wasn’t planning on working tonight,” he joked, throughout the quick efficiency.
Alexa Ray admitted that it was heartbreaking when she watched video of a fall he suffered on the Mohegan Solar present after a microphone spin. “He performed it down,” she mentioned in the identical interview. “He is aware of I’ve anxiousness and am a neurotic worrier, so he was like, ‘The whole lot’s high quality. It was just a bit journey.’ Once I noticed the footage, I used to be crying. However then I went with him to the docs, and we’re on high of every part. I simply inform him to remain wholesome.”
She understands his need to get again to doing what he loves, however shared that she gave him some circumstances to consider, as he continues to recuperate. “As soon as a performer, all the time a performer!” she mentioned. “However well being comes first. I mentioned, ‘If you happen to’re going to carry out once more, please keep seated on the piano. No throwing the microphone stand round!’”
Paying Tribute to Billy
Whereas Billy will not be on stage tonight (Mar. 12) at Carnegie Corridor for The Music of Billy Joel charity tribute, Alexa Ray is blissful that she might be there to play for him. She mentioned he is additionally excited to be again within the constructing that meant a lot to him as a performer, although he wasn’t initially going to attend.
“Dad, you higher be there! That is Carnegie Corridor. Everybody’s paying tribute to you, and it’s an incredible group of artists,'” she informed him. “He was like, ‘Let me mark that down.’ He’s very organized together with his little calendar.”
“He was so excited when he first performed Carnegie Corridor within the ‘70s,” she added. “So it’s thrilling for him to come back again a long time later and see wonderful artists and his daughter pay tribute to him.”
Billy Joel Albums Ranked
From ‘Chilly Spring Harbor’ to ‘River of Desires,’ we run by way of the Piano Man’s LPs from worst to greatest.
Gallery Credit score: Matt Springer
