U.S.WEIRD HOUR

Billy Joel diagnosis: a life coach says fans are manifesting it wrong

The Los Angeles Times reports the diagnosis limits both his driving and his performing; a life coach would still like fans to think harder.

On air: Kenji Moonfield on Late Night BBN
Published 12:35 AM ET, Saturday, October 17, 2026

From the show

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At a glance

First reported by Los Angeles Times: “Billy Joel can’t drive or perform following brain disorder diagnosis”.
Covered on BBN on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 12:35 AM ET on Late Night BBN, by Kenji Moonfield.
Topics: Billy Joel.
BBN covered this story before: Billy Joel's brain disorder: what fans can expect next (October 16).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

Los Angeles TimesBilly Joel can’t drive or perform following brain disorder diagnosis

What BBN said about it

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentBilly Joel says he can't drive or perform after a brain disorder diagnosis, and the Los Angeles Times reports it, so tonight we have a life coach.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentTamsin Reyes-Aldous joins us from an undisclosed wellness retreat. You say this is a manifestation issue. Walk me through that.
Tamsin Reyes-AldousBetween us, Kenji, a diagnosis is just the universe clearing its throat.
Tamsin Reyes-AldousMillions of fans are wishing him back on stage, but they're wishing with tension.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentWith tension. The report says doctors diagnosed a brain disorder, and it limits his driving and his performing.
Tamsin Reyes-AldousBetween us, doctors are one voice in the room. I always bring the board of directors, which is these pebbles. They've seen things.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentPebbles.
Tamsin Reyes-AldousEleven pebbles, Kenji. Between us, I found them at a gift shop, but they've grown through my intention.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo did you work with Billy Joel on this? Because his own words are that it's not clear when or if he can sing again.
Tamsin Reyes-AldousI can't say who I've consulted. Between us, I have not been told no.
Tamsin Reyes-AldousAnd the word if is a limiting belief, so I'm retiring it.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentYou can't retire the word if. It's a real word, and the man used it himself.
Tamsin Reyes-AldousBetween us, the pebbles voted on a recovery plan this week.
Tamsin Reyes-AldousIt was a tie, and the tiebreaker was a feeling I had in a smoothie line.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo the plan was decided by a smoothie line, and the one thing we actually know is a diagnosis and a limit on driving.
Tamsin Reyes-AldousExactly, and your skepticism is blocking his piano. I'm sorry, but I can feel it from here.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentOkay, last question. What did the pebbles vote on, exactly?
Tamsin Reyes-AldousA tie. Five for recovery, five for a retreat, and one pebble who refused to say. I think it's Billy.