In a heartwarming and unexpected encounter, Billy Joel surprised a New York City pedicab driver by stopping to greet him after hearing the driver play his iconic song “New York State of Mind.” The driver, who was accompanied by two female passengers, was playing Joel’s anthem on the way, and Joel, who was driving past on the street, decided to stop and say hello. At first, the driver didn’t realize it was Joel, and the singer began recording a video as he drove past.
When the driver realized it was Joel, he expressed his admiration, saying, “Oh, Nice. You see, we are playing you, man.” Joel, who is known for his love of New York, captioned the post with the line, “We’re in a New York State of Mind…always.” The encounter was captured on video and shared online by a fan, showing the driver snapping a photo of the two passengers while Joel remained inside his vehicle.
Joel recently revealed he had been diagnosed with a brain disorder, specifically normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), which can affect vision, hearing, and balance. He addressed the diagnosis in an interview, saying, “I know a lot of people are worried about me and my health, but I’m okay.” He emphasized that he is working to recover and that fans should not be worried about his health. In addition to his health concerns, Joel also opened up about a personal affair that had made him feel like a “homewrecker,” admitting he felt he deserved to be “punched in the nose.” Despite these personal challenges, Joel remains focused on his music and career, as seen in his upcoming HBO documentary, “Billy Joel: And So It Goes,” where he reflects on his life and career.