Thursday morning, October 15th, Billy Joel announced a probable end to an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime career behind the piano.

The Piano Man began his solo career 55 years ago in 1971 with his debut album, Cold Spring Harbor, and released what seems to be his final single ever in 2024 with the ironic, “Turn the Lights Back On.”

Billy had countless hit records like The Stranger, 52nd Street, Storm Front, Glass Houses, and An Innocent Man. And decade-defining radio spins such as “Piano Man,” “Uptown Girl,” “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” “My Life,” “Just the Way You Are,” “and “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me.”

It is heartbreaking seeing the news this past week and an interview conducted by Hollywood Reporter where he shared, “I can't drive right now. I'm not allowed to drive. And I can't do performances.” This came just a few weeks after Joel revealed publicly that he underwent brain surgery to treat a disorder called normal pressure hydrocephalus, a diagnosis he first talked about in 2025.

His last show was in February of that year and his doctors continue to advise against performing again because “every time you do a show, it's like you're getting a concussion," per his neurologist.

Apparently, even the Piano Man is unsure if a return is ever possible. "I don't know. I have to take a series of tests before I know,” he explained. Joel also attributed all of his health issues to years and years of performing with the lights, the sound, the stress… the list goes on.

With 5 Grammys, three number ones on the Billboard Hot 100, an album of the year with 52nd Street, and over 160 million records sold worldwide, almost nobody can touch the career Billy Joel lived.