He was an incredibly damaged human being, from his father leaving when he was 7 and then his mother being bi-polar and an alcoholic. Yet somehow, he rose to become one of America’s biggest entertainers — and today, everyone knows his name… Check comments ⬇️

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.