Billy Joel Joins Billy Joel Tribute Act on Stage for Two Songs in Florida
The singer-songwriter took to the stage in Wellington, Florida, on January 2, to join the Billy Joel tribute band Turnstiles and appear on stage for the first time since his brain disorder diagnosis last year.
On Friday, January 2, Billy Joel made his first onstage appearance since publicly discussing a brain condition last year. The legendary musician surprised audiences by joining the Billy Joel tribute act Turnstiles during their performance in Wellington, Florida.
Joel sat at the piano and sang along on two of his classic tracks: “Big Shot” and the enduring hit “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” Addressing the crowd with his trademark humor, he quipped that he hadn’t expected to be performing that evening. Fan-shot video from the moment has since circulated online.
It was a nice moment for everyone in the crowd, and all of us on the internet, alike. Take a look!
Earlier in 2025, Joel had delayed several scheduled tour dates as he took time off to recover from surgery related to a health issue that had not yet been disclosed. By May, those shows were officially called off, with Joel’s team later confirming that he had been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a neurological disorder caused by excess fluid accumulating in the brain.
His most recent full-length concert took place in February 2025. Just in case Billy Joel does announce more shows in the future, you can follow his tour dates on Bandsintown.
In other news…
Billy Joel Symposium to be Held at the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame on June 6–7, 2026.
The Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) invites fans, scholars, critics, musicians, and students to submit individual papers to its first “The Billy Joel Symposium,” to be held on June 6-7, 2026 at the Hall of Fame location at 97 Main Street, Stony Brook, NY.
The deadline for submissions is January 15, 2026.
The two-day conference will be devoted to the music, lyrics, themes, and cultural impact of music legend and LIMEHOF inductee Billy Joel. As one of America’s most influential songwriters and performers (as well as being one of Long Island’s own), Joel’s body of work offers a unique lens through which to explore popular music, regional identity, and American culture. This symposium will gather a wide range of experts and scholars who will engage in a critical analysis of Joel’s artistry, life, and legacy.
LIMEHOF welcome submissions on topics including (but not limited to):
- Lyrics & Narratives: Storytelling, character studies, social commentary
- Music & Style: Harmonic language, piano-centered composition, genre fusion (e.g., rock, pop, jazz, classical)
- Place & Identity: Suburban Long Island and New York as cultural landscapes
- History & Memory: Nostalgia, generational commentary (e.g., “Allentown,” “We Didn’t Start the Fire”)
- Performance & Persona: Joel’s stage presence, Madison Square Garden residency, audience relationships
- Comparative Perspectives: Joel alongside Elton John, Dylan, Springsteen, McCartney
- Reception & Criticism: Popular acclaim vs. scholarly neglect, canonization in American song
- Cultural Impact: Joel in film, television, and cultural memory
- Biographical & Historical Contexts: intersections of Joel’s personal story with larger cultural and political shifts
Submission Guidelines
- Abstract: Between 250 and 300 words
- Short Bio: 100 words (include name, affiliation, contact information)
- Format: Single PDF or Word document with abstract and bio together
- Final Presentations: A Q&A session to last 20 minutes and 10 minutes
The Symposium Committee will review all proposals. Accepted papers may be grouped by theme into 90-minute panels. Presenters will be notified of their panel assignment when acceptances are sent. Selected papers may be considered for inclusion in an edited collection or digital proceedings published by LIMEHOF.
Send all bios and proposals to Executive Director, Tom Needham: info@limusichalloffame.org
Founded in 2004, the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the idea that Long Island’s musical and entertainment heritage is an important resource to be celebrated and preserved for future generations. The organization was created as a place of community that inspires and explores Long Island music and entertainment in all its forms.
