Fans were devastated when Billy Joel canceled his tour last spring after being diagnosed with a rare brain disorder. At that point it wasn't clear if the legendary musician would ever perform live again, so it was a pretty huge deal when the 76-year-old Piano Man made a surprise appearance at a performance by a Billy Joel cover band this weekend to play two of his biggest hits.
As The Palm Beach Post reported, Joel unexpectedly took the stage during a concert by the tribute band Turnstiles at a village amphitheater in Wellington, Florida, on Friday, Jan. 2. Wearing a black cap and winter vest, Joel (who owns property in the area) walked with the help of a cane.
"I wasn't planning on working tonight," he quipped as he sat down at the keyboard, going on to delight the crowd by launching into "We Didn't Start the Fire" (followed by "Big Shot"). His daughters, Della and Remy, reportedly danced along.
In a clip from the performance shared on TikTok, Joel appeared to be healthy and in good spirits.
"I went to a Billy Joel tribute tonight and the real guy showed up," read the text overlay on the video.
@chupapimuneno123Great way to start 2026! #billyjoel #billyjoeltok #rockmusic
♬ original sound - user1894345374527Commenters were thrilled to see the Grammy winner back onstage at last.
"Glad to see him in good health after canceling shows last summer," one person wrote, with a second noting, "Man they really started him at 100 mph without warming up."
"Billy Joel is sincerely the nicest guy! Met him at a Stevie Nicks/Don Henley concert at Jones Beach and talked for around 10 minutes, I totally forgot I was talking to someone famous he's that cool and down to earth!" raved someone else.
While it's not clear yet whether Joel is planning on returning to the stage on a more regular basis, this two-song set was definitely a great way for fans to kick off the new year.
What is normal pressure hydrocephalus?
Joel was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus last year, a rare brain disorder described by the Cleveland Clinic as a condition which occurs when fluid buildup disrupts brain function, with symptoms ranging from issues with balance, hearing and vision to cognitive difficulties.
In a podcast appearance last July, Joel explained that while he was feeling "good," his balance "sucks."
"It's like being on a boat," he said at the time.
Related: Billy Joel Refused to Play This Grammy-Winning 'Gloppy Ballad' for Years
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