Billy Joel misses documentary premiere amid brain condition diagnosis, says he “will be back”

Billy Joel has skipped the Tribeca premiere of his documentary film due to his recent brain condition diagnosis – but directors have promised he “will be back”.

The two-part documentary entitled Billy Joel: And So It Goes premiered on the first night of the film festival yesterday (June 4). It was screened at the Beacon Theatre in New York City, and was directed by Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin.

However, the musician himself was a no-show at the premiere. At the end of May, Joel was diagnosed with the brain disorder normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). Joel has subsequently cancelled all of his upcoming tour dates, and his daughter Alexa Ray has shared he’s “entirely committed to making a full recovery with ongoing physical-therapy treatments as he continues to regain his strength”.

Speaking about Joel’s absence, Lacy assured the audience at the premiere that “he will be back”.

She went on to add that “Billy wishes he were here tonight, and he asked us to convey his greetings to you all,” (via Deadline). “He said ‘getting old sucks, but it’s still preferable to getting cremated.’”

'Billy Joel: And So It Goes' Directors Share Inspirational Message From Ailing Singer: 'He Will Be Back' https://t.co/JGHQyMZnIt

— Variety (@Variety) June 5, 2025

Billy Joel: And So It Goes will soon air on HBO this summer.

It’s set to explore Joel’s life and music, “exploring the love, loss and personal struggles that fuel his songwriting”. The documentary will also feature access to never-before-seen performances, home movies, and personal photographs, along with one-on-one interviews.

Lacy previously told Deadline that “for those who think they know Joel’s story, as well as those who are not as familiar, I believe this two-part film is both a revelation and a surprise.

“I was drawn to his story as someone who knew little at the outset, and was astounded at how autobiographical his songs are and how complex his story is,” she added. “We are gratified that Bill trusted us with his story, which we have told as honestly as possible, diving into territory which has not been explored before.”

In other news, Billy Joel has insisted “I’m not dying”, with friend Howard Stern relaying: “He’s doing fine. He does have issues, but he said, ‘Yeah, you can tell people: I’m not dying’. You know, he wants people to know that.”

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