Billy Joel will tickle the ivories in public again for the first time in almost two years next month. The “Piano Man” announced on Monday (Nov. 9) that he has booked a gig at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton for that is being billed as “Billy Joel: An Evening of Questions & Answers … And a Little Music.”
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Tickets for the Dec. 14 event will be available exclusively to currently enrolled FAU students beginning on Thursday (Nov. 14).
The return to the stage will mark Joel’s first official public appearance since he announced a diagnosis of the brain disorder normal pressure hydrocephalus, which forced him to cancel his planned 2025 tour and step away from public life.
Joel opened up about the brain disorder during his first-ever line call-in special on SiriusXM’s The Billy Joel channel in September, during which he answered questions about his favorite songs and lyrics and assured fans that he’s doing well despite his health challenges.
“I know people are worried about me because they read that I have a brain disorder, which sounds a lot worse than it actually is,” said Joel, 77, on the special. “I’m OK. My balance isn’t that good. Lost a little bit of my hearing, but that may have to do with my age, too, and the rock ‘n’ roll life and the loud volume probably didn’t help. But I’m fine. I want people to not have to worry about me. I’m OK. And I appreciate your call.”
On the special, Joel also assured a fan who was worried about getting a shunt implanted to relieve pressure and help improve side effects such as balance issues and difficulty walking by telling her that initially he was reluctant to have doctors “drill a hole through” his skull to drain off excess, built-up fluid in the brain. But after researching the procedure, he agreed to it and said his hearing and balance had improved.
While it’s unknown what the “little” bit of music at the FAU appearance will look like, it could mark the first time Joel has performed live since the disorder forced him to cancel his planned 2025 tour. The FAU event will also be the first performance by Joel since the singer hopped on stage in Wellington, Fla. in January to play “We Didn’t Start the Fire” and “Big Shot” with a Billy Joel Cover band.
Last month, Joel told The Hollywood Reporter that he’s been forced to sell off his beloved collection of motorcycles because he’s not allowed to drive anymore. At the time, he also said he was unsure if he’d be able to perform onstage again, saying, “I have to take a series of tests before I know.” He added, “I can’t drive right now. I’m not allowed to drive. And I can’t do performances because what the neurologist told me, every time you do a show, it’s like you’re getting a concussion.”
