Billy Joel surprised fans by joining a tribute band covering his music for a two-song performance at the 30th birthday celebration for the Florida Village of Wellington on Jan. 2, delighting the crowd with his unmistakable voice despite ongoing health recovery.
The 76-year-old music icon, who owns Middlesea Farms in the village along Palm Beach Point Boulevard, took the stage unannounced during Turnstiles' show at the village amphitheater. Wearing a winter jacket, black cap, and using a cane amid recovery from fluid buildup on his brain, Joel sat at the keyboard and performed his 1989 hit "We Didn't Start the Fire" followed by 1978's "Big Shot."
"I wasn't planning on working tonight," Joel laughed before starting, as his daughters Della and Remy danced alongside him.
The audience sent him off with chants of "Bill-y! Bill-y! Bill-y!"Turnstiles, named after Joel's 1976 album, was performing as part of the village's birthday bash when the surprise occurred.
Joel, whose career spans over 50 years, rose to fame with 1977's "The Stranger" after early albums in the 1970s.
The Palm Beach Post reports Joel has deep ties to Palm Beach County, owning homes in Manalapan and Wellington, with recent reports of building in Boca Raton.
He ended a decade-long residency at Madison Square Garden in 2024 but paused other live performances indefinitely due to his recent health issues.