Billy Joel, 75, sparks concern as he topples over in worrying stage accident
Concerns are mounting for music legend Billy Joel after the 75-year-old suffered a dramatic fall during a concert at Mohegan Sun resort in Connecticut.
The incident occurred on Saturday night as Joel performed his hit “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me”, with footage showing the Piano Man twirling a microphone stand before throwing it and suddenly losing his balance.
The star toppled backwards and fell directly onto his back, prompting audible gasps from the shocked audience, before he was quickly helped to his feet by members of his band after the fall.
Despite being “visibly thrown off” by the incident, the Grammy winner managed to continue the show and performed one final song for the crowd while playing the piano.
The concerning moment was captured on video at approximately 10pm during Saturday’s performance.
The fall came after Joel had been seen struggling earlier in the concert, with one attendee noting he appeared to be using the microphone stand as a cane at one point.
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One concertgoer expressed serious concern about Joel’s condition during the show: “He looked frail hobbling across the stage,” they told the Daily Mail.
“At one point, he was using the microphone stand as a cane. I was really very concerned about him throughout the concert.”
The same witness added: “Before he fell, I said to my friend ‘he’s going to fall’ and then he did. The venue gasped when he hit the floor.”
Despite the worrying incident, Joel managed to finish the performance.
“When I was younger, I was a massive fan of Billy Joel, so this is very concerning,” the fan continued.
Fans took to social media to express their worry after the fall and one penned: “Oh my goodness, I hope he gets better.”
Joel has previously been candid about ageing, telling BBC Radio 2’s Zoe Ball he doesn’t maintain a healthy lifestyle through diet or exercise.
“I don’t think I look all that good. But I don’t look in the mirror that often, which helps a lot,” he admitted.
Despite the concerning fall, Joel has shown no signs of slowing down his performing schedule.
The legendary singer recently announced a string of historic New York concerts for later this year.
Joel will become the first artist to perform at all three major sports stadiums in the city – Yankee Stadium, Citi Stadium and MetLife Stadium.
“I’m looking forward to playing these iconic stadiums this summer — each holds personal significance to me,” the Bronx-born superstar told Billboard.
He will be joined by fellow music icons Sting and Stevie Nicks at these performances.