Wellington, Florida – January 2, 2026 – Billy Joel surprised fans with an unexpected performance in Wellington, florida, marking his first return to the stage since his diagnosis of normotensive hydrocephalus (NPH), a rare brain condition impacting balance, vision, and hearing.
A Surprise Performance and a Return to the Spotlight
The legendary singer took the stage,leaning on a cane,to perform two of his iconic hits,delighting the audience at the 30th anniversary festivity of the municipality of Wellington.
- Billy Joel made a surprise appearance at a town anniversary event.
- This performance marks his first public appearance since being diagnosed with normotensive hydrocephalus (NPH).
- He performed his hit songs “Big Shot” and “We Didn’t Start the Fire.”
- Joel acknowledged his health challenges but expressed optimism about his recovery.
The impromptu concert unfolded Friday evening when Joel was invited to perform at the event. According to reports from The Palm Beach Post, he joked to the audience, “I’m just getting back on my feet, so don’t expect a full concert!” He then proceeded to perform “Big Shot” and “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” receiving a standing ovation from the crowd.
This performance marked Joel’s first live show since February 2025, when he canceled all scheduled concerts due to his health. In May of last year, he publicly revealed his diagnosis of normotensive hydrocephalus (NPH), a condition caused by excess cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.
His team explained in a statement released on his Instagram account that the condition had worsened with recent performances, causing issues with his hearing, vision, and balance, necessitating physical therapy and medical supervision.
What are the symptoms of normotensive hydrocephalus (NPH)? This rare condition typically presents with a triad of symptoms: difficulty walking, cognitive impairment, and urinary incontinence, though not all patients experience all three.
The news of Joel’s diagnosis sent ripples through the music industry and among his devoted fans. The 76-year-old musician had recently concluded a decade-long residency at Madison Square Garden and had planned further performances in North America and Europe.
Despite the seriousness of NPH, Joel has maintained a positive outlook. In a July 2025 interview on Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast, he emphatically stated, “I’m not dying.” He added, “I feel fine.They keep referring to what I have as a brain disorder, so it sounds much worse than what I feel.”
Though, he did acknowledge that maintaining his balance has been a notable challenge, describing it as “like being on a boat.” In statements to PEOPLE,Joel emphasized his commitment to adapting to his condition,saying,”I no a lot of people are worried about me and my health,but I’m fine. What I have is something that very few people know about, including myself.I’m doing the best I can to work through this and recover.”
Joel had canceled a total of 17 concerts scheduled for 2025 and 2026, including shows in Edinburgh and liverpool, as reported by the BBC.
