Billy Joel announced on Tuesday (March 11) that he is postponing his tour for four months due to an unspecified medical issue. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer recently underwent surgery and will spend the time recovering and undergoing physical therapy.
At 75, Joel is expected to make a full recovery, with his tour set to resume on July 5 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. “While I am saddened by the postponement of the shows, my health is my absolute priority,” he said in a post on Instagram. “I can’t wait to get back on stage and share the joy of live music with our incredible fans. Thank you for your understanding.”
The tour, in which Joel often shares the stage with artists such as Stevie Nicks, Sting and Rod Stewart, was scheduled to kick off on March 15 in Toronto.
It has not been confirmed whether the surgery is related to Joel's fall on February 22 during his concert at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, when he slipped while throwing his microphone during a performance of "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me." Despite the unfortunate incident, the artist quickly got up and completed the concert without any apparent injuries.
The postponement will not affect Joel's three scheduled summer concerts in the New York area, which will give him a unique record. The musician will perform at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on July 18, MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 8 and Citi Field in Queens on August 21, making him the first artist to play all three New York stadiums in one summer. He will be joined by Rod Stewart (July 18), Stevie Nicks (August 8) and Sting (August 21).
“I can’t wait to play these iconic venues this summer – each one holds a special meaning for me,” Joel told Billboard in early February. “The energy of the New York crowd is unparalleled, and sharing the stage with friends like Rod Stewart, Sting and Stevie Nicks, whose music continues to inspire me, is a great experience.”
