Alexa Ray Joel Updates Billy Joel Health, Touring Plans
Singer-songwriter Alexa Ray Joel has shared a fresh update on her father Billy Joel as the “Piano Man” takes time away from touring while dealing with a neurological condition. Speaking ahead of the Carnegie Hall tribute concert The Music of Billy Joel, Ms. Joel said her father is focused on recovery and is expected to attend the event, where she will perform songs from his catalogue.
Ms. Joel said Billy Joel has been doing physical therapy regularly, has “lost weight” and is “doing great,” after his diagnosis of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, The Hollywood Reporter reported.
The 40-year-old also addressed fans’ concerns after the 76-year-old musician cancelled tour dates in 2025, explaining she accompanied him to doctors’ appointments and urged him to prioritise his health. She recalled watching footage of his fall during a Mohegan Sun show despite his request that she avoid it, saying the clip left her in tears before she felt reassured by medical follow-ups.
Ms. Joel added that her father still has the performer’s instinct and hopes to return to the stage, but she has set clear boundaries about how he should do it. Alternative Nation previously reported on his condition, including claims that he needed a cane onstage after the diagnosis, as questions swirled about what a comeback might look like.
The Carnegie Hall fundraiser, organised by promoter Michael Dorf, is set to feature multiple artists covering Billy Joel’s songs, with proceeds supporting music education organisations serving underserved youth. For Ms. Joel, the night is also personal: she described her father as a “homebody” who nonetheless plans to show up, turning the tribute into what she called a “full-circle moment.”
