Billy Joel cracking jokes about ‘getting old,' ‘cremated' after brain disorder diagnosis, Tribeca doc director shares
When the lights went up on Broadway for the world premiere of the documentary 'Billy Joel: And So It Goes' — at New York's Beacon Theatre for the opening night of the Tribeca Festival — the hometown hero was not in the house.
As exclusively revealed to The Post last week, the 76-year-old music legend sat out his big night after revealing that he was diagnosed with a brain disorder called normal pressure hydrocephalus.
But the 'New York State of Mind' crooner still received plenty of local love from Tribeca Festival co-founders Jane Rosenthal and Robert De Niro as the 24th edition of the festival that started in 2002 kicked off with the first half of Joel's two-part documentary before it premieres on HBO and HBO Max later this summer.
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8 Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal at the 'Billy Joel: And So It Goes' opening night at Tribeca Film Festival.
Getty Images for Tribeca Festival
8 (L-R) Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal at 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 music man's ongoing health battle.
'Billy wanted to be with us tonight, but as you may have heard, he's dealing with a health issue and had to postpone his performances, including this one tonight. We know you will join us in wishing him a speedy recovery,' Rosenthal said after the pair quoted lyrics from Joel's 'New York State of Mind.'
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'He's our piano man, a wonderful, integral part of the heartbeat of our city,' De Niro told the crowd. 'Tonight, we fit to see the man behind the music and behind the legend. You're in for a real treat.'
Directors Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin also spoke about Joel in the wake of his absence, revealing a joke about death that the singer told them.
'We know Billy wishes he were here tonight, and he asked us to convey that to you all. In fact, he said, 'Getting old sucks, but it's preferable to getting cremated,'' one of them recalled before assuring the crowd, 'He will be back.'
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8 Co-directors and producers Susan Lacy (L) and Jessica Levin at Tribeca Film Festival.
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And So It Goes' features rare, previously unseen footage and candid, intimate interviews while charting the five-time Grammy winner's rise from Long Island to international pop stardom.
Taking its title from a deeply personal piano ballad from Joel's 1989 album 'Storm Front,' the documentary also features classics such as 'Piano Man,' 'Just the Way You Are,' and, of course, 'New York State of Mind.'
Rosenthal and De Niro gave a show of support in a statement after Joel's health crisis was announced.
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8 The two-part documentary 'Billy Joel: And So It Goes' will premiere on HBO and HBO Max later this summer.
Art Maillett/Sony Music Archives/Courtesy HBO
8 Billy Joel told Howard Stern that he was 'not dying' after recently revealing his brain disorder diagnosis.
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8 After starting in 2014, Billy Joel ended his historic 10-year Madison Square Garden residency last July.
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'Our hearts are with Billy Joel and his family following today's announcement,' they said in a statement. 'As a New York icon and global music legend, he has profoundly shaped the cultural fabric of this city and touched audiences around the world. We send our love and full support and wish him strength and a healthy recovery.'
'We're deeply honored that this year's Opening Night celebrates his remarkable legacy and enduring influence on New York's cultural landscape,' the statement continued. 'This is the perfect moment to recognize a creative force whose work reflects the very soul of our city — and the heart of Tribeca.'
Although Joel was not in attendance, he has let it be known that you haven't seen the last of him yet.
8 Billy Joel traded the piano for guitar during one of his Madison Square Garden residency shows in 2016.
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In fact, Howard Stern shared a positive update about the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer on Tuesday, assuring listeners that the hitmaker is 'not dying.'
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'I saw Billy Joel two weeks ago,' he told co-host Robin Quivers on SiriusXM's 'The Howard Stern Show.' 'We had dinner together.'
'Yeah, he does have issues,' Stern continued. 'But he said, 'Yeah, you can tell people, you know, I'm not dying.' You know, he wants people to know that. He just, he's gotta deal with some medical stuff, but he was delightful.'
8 Billy Joel had already rescheduled several concerts earlier this year.
Instagram/@billyjoel
Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a brain disorder where cerebrospinal fluid builds up inside the skull and presses on the brain, disrupting cognitive functioning.
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Due to his condition, Joel also canceled all of his upcoming tour dates, which were to include a 'Triple Play' summer series of concerts at all three New York area stadiums: Yankee Stadium (July 18, with Rod Stewart), MetLife Stadium (Aug. 8, with Stevie Nicks) and Citi Field (Aug. 21, with Sting).
But thankfully, Joel — who ended his historic Madison Square Garden residency last July after 10 years, 104 sold-out shows and 1.9 million tickets scanned — isn't ready to hang up his piano.
'He is happiest while performing,' a music industry insider told People last week. 'Music is, has been and will always be his life. He's not ready to retire.'
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