Billy Joel receives standing ovation at Carnegie Hall tribute concert with surprising A-list guest

Billy Joel is in a “New York State of Mind.”

The singer, 76, delighted a sold-out crowd at Carnegie Hall Thursday night as he waved to the audience from his seat on the first tier — with attendees giving him a standing ovation.

The “Piano Man” singer was joined by songstress Pink and her daughter, Willow Sage Hart, 14. A source tells Page Six the two singers are pals.

The star-studded tribute was the 21st annual “Music Of” benefit, which raises funds for music education for underserved youth programs.

It featured performances by Rufus Wainwright, Itzhak Perlman, Wyclef Jean, Natalie Merchant, and Joel’s daughter, Alexa Ray.

Pink’s attendance at the event comes after her move to New York with her family, as it’s rumored she may be taking over Kelly Clarkson’s talk show.

The Grammy winner was spotted walking with a cane outside a Four Seasons hotel before heading over to Carnegie Hall.

Joel’s appearance at “The Music of Billy Joel” concert was especially meaningful as he was forced to cancel a number of gigs last year after revealing in May 2025 that he had been diagnosed with NPH (Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, a treatable brain disorder).

Two months later, the Piano Man released a statement, reassuring fans he was doing fine.

“It was scary, but I’m okay,” Joel told People at the time. “I just wanted to let people know, don’t worry about me being deathly ill or anything.”

Earlier this year, the “Uptown Girl” crooner surprised fans with his first performance since revealing his NPH brain disorder battle.

His oldest daughter, Alexa Ray, 40, whom he shares with ex-wife Christie Brinkley, told The Hollywood Reporter in an interview published Thursday, that her dad is definitely on the mend.

“He’s doing physical therapy regularly and he’s doing great,” she revealed. “He’s lost weight as he’s on his diet.”

“I’m so proud of him,” the performer continued. “He’s such a trooper, so resilient and committed to being healthy and proactive. He’s a fighter. He’s always been a fighter and talks in his documentary about how life’s like a fight.”

Alexa added that the iconic performance hall holds a special place in her dad’s heart.

“He was so excited when he first played Carnegie Hall in the ‘70s, so it’s exciting for him to come back decades later and see amazing artists and his daughter pay tribute to him,” she explained. “It’s a full-circle moment.”