NEW YORK (AP) — Billy Joel, who is currently sidelined by health issues, conveyed a positive message to fans through the directors of a new documentary about his life.
Joel recently canceled all live performances due to a health condition affecting his ability to perform. He had initially planned to attend the Tribeca Festival for the premiere of “Billy Joel: And So It Goes,” a documentary about his life.
In Joel’s absence, director Susan Lacy addressed the audience, stating, “He will be back,” according to Variety. Lacy added, “Billy wishes he were here tonight, and he asked us to convey his greetings to you all,” as reported by Deadline. She quoted Joel, saying, “Getting old sucks, but it’s still preferable to getting cremated.”
Lacy and producer Jessica Levin attended the premiere at New York City’s Beacon Theatre on Wednesday, June 4. Attendees included Tom Hanks, Whoopi Goldberg, and Tribeca Festival co-founder Robert De Niro, who highlighted Joel’s impact on the city. “Billy may be considered the poet laureate of New York,” De Niro said. “You feel the essence of our city in his lyrics.”
The documentary “Billy Joel: And So It Goes,” set to air on HBO over the summer, aims to offer an expansive portrait of Joel’s life and music, focusing on the love, loss, and personal struggles that have influenced his creative process.
Last month, Joel announced the cancellation of his upcoming performances due to a diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus, a condition caused by the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the skull, putting pressure on the brain.
A statement on social media indicated that Joel’s condition has been “exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance.” It further stated, “Under his doctor’s instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period. Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health.”
On Tuesday, June 3, radio host Howard Stern shared that he recently had dinner with Joel, who wanted to reassure the public. “He said, ‘Yeah, you can tell people: I’m not dying,"” Stern relayed. “He wants people to know that. He’s just got to deal with some medical stuff.”