Billy Joel Cracking jokes about ‘Being old’, ‘Cremated’ after diagnosis of brain disorder, the Tribeca Doc Director shares

Billy Joel Cracking jokes about ‘Being old’, ‘Cremated’ after diagnosis of brain disorder, the Tribeca Doc Director shares

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When the lights went on Broadway for the world premiere From the documentary “Billy Joel: and So It Goes” – in the Beacon Theater of New York for the opening evening of the Tribeca Festival – the Hero of the Birth Tim was not in the house.

As was exclusively revealed by the post last week, the 76-year-old music legend spent his big night after he had revealed that the diagnosis was a brain disorder called Normal DrukhydroPhalus.

But the crooner of the “New York State of Mind” still received a lot of local love from co-founders from the Tribeca Festival Jane Rosenthal and Robert de Niro as the 24th edition of the festival that started in 2002 with the first half of Joel’s two-part documentary before it later goes into HBO and HBO Max.

Robert de Niro and Jane Rosenthal on the opening evening “Billy Joel: And So It Goes” at the Tribeca film festival. Getty images for Tribeca Festival
(LR) Tom Hanks, Robert de Niro and Jane Rosenthal on Tribeca Film Festival 2025. Getty images for Tribeca Festival

De Niro, 81, called Joel ‘The poet Laureate of New York’, while Rosenthal, 68, addressed the continuous health struggle of the music man.

“Billy wanted to be with us tonight, but as you may have heard, he has to deal with a health problem and he had to postpone his performances, including this tonight. We know that you are going with us to wish him a speedy recovery,” said Rosenthal after the pair quoted Songtexts of Joel’s “New York State of Mind”.

“He is our piano man, a beautiful, integral part of the heartbeat of our city,” said the Niro de Vuise. “Tonight we fit to see the man behind the music and behind the legend. You stand up for a real treat.”

Directors Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin also spoke about Joel after his absence and revealed a joke about death the singer told them.

“We know that Billy wishes him to be here tonight, and he asked us to convey that to you all. In fact, he said,” Get old sucks, but it is preferable to be cremated, “one of them remembered before they assured the crowd,” he will be back. “

Co-director and producers Susan Lacy (L) and Jessica Levin at the Tribeca film festival. AFP via Getty images

“And So It Goes” contains rare, previously unseen images and candid, intimate interviews while mapping the rise of the five-fold Grammy winner from Long Island to International Pop Stardom.

The title of a deep personal piano ballad by Joel’s album ‘Storm Front’ from Joel from 1989, the documentary also contains classics such as ‘Piano Man’, ‘Just the way you are’ and, of course, ‘New York State of Mind’.

Rosenthal and the Niro gave a show of support in a statement after Joel’s health crisis was announced.

The two -part documentary “Billy Joel: and So It Goes” will premiere later this summer on HBO and HBO Max. Art Maillett/Sony Music Archives/Courtesy HBO
Billy Joel told Howard Stern that he “did not died” after he had recently unveiled his diagnosis of brain disorder. Getty images
After the beginning of 2014, Billy Joel ended his historic 10-year-old Madison Square Garden Residency last July. Getty images

“Our hearts are with Billy Joel and his family after today’s announcement,” they said in a statement. “As a New York icon and the global music legend, he has deeply shaped the cultural structure of this city and touched the audience all over the world. We send our love and full support and wish him strength and a healthy recovery.”

“We are deeply honored that this year’s opening evening is celebrating its remarkable legacy and lasting influence on the cultural landscape of New York,” the statement continued. “This is the perfect moment to recognize a creative power whose work reflects the soul of our city – and the heart of Tribeca.”

Although Joel was not present, he announced that you haven’t seen the last of him yet.

Billy Joel exchanged the piano for guitar during one of his Madison Square Garden Residency shows in 2016. Getty images

Howard Stern shared a positive update about the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer on Tuesday and assured listeners that the hit maker ‘does not die’.

“I saw Billy Joel two weeks ago,” he told co-host Robin Qivers on Siriusxm’s “The Howard Stern Show.” “We ate together.”

“Yes, he has problems,” Stern continued. “But he said,” Yes, you can tell people, you know, I don’t die. ” You know that people just have to deal with some medical things, but he was delicious.

Billy Joel had already planned several concerts earlier this year. Instagram/@Billyjoel

Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a brain disorder in which cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the skull and presses on the brain, causing cognitive functioning.

Because of his situation, Joel also canceled his upcoming tour dates, who would record a summer series “Triple Play” from concerts in all three New York Area Stadiums: Yankee Stadium (July 18 with Rod Stewart), Metlife Stadium (August 8 with Stevie Nicks) and Citi Field).

But luckily Joel-Die ended his historic Madison Square Garden residence last July, after 10 years, 104 sold-out shows and 1.9 million scanned tickets is not ready to hang his piano.

“He’s happiest during the performance”, an insider in the music industry people told Last week. “Music is, is and will always be his life. He is not ready to retire.”

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