It has been nearly a year since Billy Joel had to suddenly cancel his touring plans due to receiving a diagnosis of a rare brain disorder. Fortunately, there seems to be some positive news regarding his chances of returning to the road.

His daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, shared an encouraging update on his condition as he copes with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH).

“He’s doing physical therapy regularly and he’s doing great. He’s lost weight as he’s on his diet,” she told the Hollywood Reporter in a recent interview. “I’m so proud of him. He’s such a trooper, so resilient and committed to being healthy and proactive. He’s a fighter. He’s always been a fighter and talks in his documentary about how life’s like a fight.”

What are Billy’s Health Issues?

The legendary songwriter’s last full concert took place in February of 2025 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Shortly after that, he announced a four-month postponement of his tour dates to undergo surgery and physical therapy for an unspecified “medical condition.”

Two months later, he revealed that he would be stepping away from the road and canceling all tour dates due to the NPH diagnosis. Doctors indicated that his ongoing performances were worsening his condition, “leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance.”

Last July, the Piano Man expressed optimism about his health. “I feel good,” he said during an interview on Bill Maher’s Club Random Podcast. “They keep referring to what I have as a brain disorder, so it sounds a lot worse than what I’m feeling.”

READ MORE: Billy Joel: ‘I Feel Good’ Following Brain Disorder Diagnosis

Will Billy Joel Tour Again?

Fans have been eager to know if the 76-year-old will return to the stage. Happily, he made a surprise appearance in January, performing “We Didn’t Start the Fire” and “Big Shot” with a tribute band, Turnstiles, in Florida. “I wasn’t planning on working tonight,” he joked during the brief performance.

Alexa Ray shared that it was heartbreaking for her to see footage of a fall he took at the Mohegan Sun show after spinning a microphone. “He played it down,” she said in the same interview. “He knows I have anxiety and am a neurotic worrier, so he was like, ‘Everything’s fine. It was just a little trip.’ When I saw the footage, I was crying. But then I went with him to the doctors, and we’re on top of everything. I just tell him to stay healthy.”

She understands his desire to return to performing but mentioned that she has given him some conditions to consider while he continues to recover. “Once a performer, always a performer!” she said. “But health comes first. I said, ‘If you’re going to perform again, please stay seated at the piano. No throwing the microphone stand around!’”

Paying Tribute to Billy

Although Billy won’t be on stage tonight (Mar. 12) at Carnegie Hall for The Music of Billy Joel charity tribute, Alexa Ray is excited to play for him. She mentioned that he’s also looking forward to being back in the venue that holds significant meaning for him as a performer, even though he initially wasn’t planning to attend.

“Dad, you better be there! This is Carnegie Hall. Everyone’s paying tribute to you, and it’s an amazing group of artists,'” she told him. “He was like, ‘Let me mark that down.’ He’s very organized with his little calendar.”

“He was so excited when he first played Carnegie Hall in the ‘70s,” she added. “So it’s exciting for him to come back decades later and see amazing artists and his daughter pay tribute to him.”