The music cancelled his UK concerts last year due to a brain disorder diagnosis
Eurovision fans were left feeling emotional after music legend Billy Joel made a surprise cameo during the final amid his recent health issues.
Last year saw the Piano Man cancel rescheduled concert dates, including a scheduled performance at Anfield Stadium, due to a brain disorder diagnosis. Billy, 77 was scheduled to play 17 dates across America and the UK.
A spokesperson for the singer said at the time: “Billy Joel has announced that he will be cancelling all scheduled concerts following a recent diagnosis of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH).
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“This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance. 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 prioritising his health. He is grateful for the support from fans during this time and looks forward to the day when he can once again take the stage.”
Sharing his sadness over the cancellations, Billy Joel said: “I’m sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding.”
During the Eurovision Final on Saturday night (May 16), Billy paid tribute to ‘the musician’s town’ of Vienna in a surprise appearance. Vienna was not only where the Eurovision being held, but also the name of one of his biggest hits.
The song about growing old and taking it easy was originally released on Billy’s 1977 album The Stranger. It was later released as the B-side to the single Just The Way You Are.
Speaking in a pre-recorded video during the Eurovision final, Billy said: “Vienna is known as the musician’s town. You think of Beethoven’s Ninth, but you also think of the waltz and Strauss, which is wonderful, happy music.
“Then I also think of the cafe orchestras that play outdoors. It could be an accordion, a violin, and a piano, it could be a very small ensemble. The music is there in so many different ways. You can even see it in the architecture.
“You look on some of the buildings and there’s a little angel playing a violin coming off the balcony of a building, and you don’t see that in other cities.”
Billy continued: “Well, I found out that my father was living in Vienna. He and my mother had broken up in the late 50s, and that he had married again and had another son who was born in Vienna. So I had to go and meet him.
“When I wrote ‘Vienna waits for you,’ I meant that it’s a place where you close the circle, where questions that you have become answered. Suddenly things started to make sense in the world for me, which is really what the song was about – slow down, and look around you, and have some gratitude for the way things are in your life, the good things in your life. That’s what Vienna represented to me.”
With Austrian singer-songwriter Cesar Sampson then performing Vienna during a break before the voting in the final, many took to X, previously known as Twitter, to have their say on seeing the music legend.
@MatthewRimmer said: “Good see Billy Joel well enough to have recorded this. #Eurovision #BillyJoel.” @CiroEgipto added: “The best #eurovision festival. Love Billy Joel #Eurovisión2026.”
Ben_Bou wrote: “The best interlude tonight was Billy Joel’s song with a live orchestra. Way better than all that music Eurovision serves us every year #Eurovision.” @notkornacki posted: “Billy Joel doing a commentary piece for #Eurovision was never on my bingo card. #Eurovisión2026.”
@Ludwig_IV commented: “My God I love ‘Vienna’ by Billy Joel. It’s SUCH a gorgeous song. #eurovision.” @notkornacki posted: “Billy Joel doing a commentary piece for #Eurovision was never on my bingo card. #Eurovisión2026.”
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