Inside the life of a global superstar: Love, loss, and the fight to keep performing

Despite the setback, Joel has stayed optimistic. Last July, he told Bill Maher’s Club Random Podcast, “I feel good. They keep referring to what I have as a brain disorder, so it sounds a lot worse than what I’m feeling.”

Fans hoping to see him back on stage got a small taste of live performance in January, 2026, when he joined tribute band Turnstiles in Florida for “We Didn’t Start the Fire” and “Big Shot.”

“I wasn’t planning on working tonight,” he joked during the surprise appearance, hinting that the Piano Man isn’t ready to hang up his keys just yet.