Billy Joel diagnosed with brain disorder

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23 May 2025, 2:49 pm

Joel announced he was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus.

Quote:
Billy Joel canceled his upcoming concerts following a recent diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus.

The announcement was made Friday in a statement shared across his social media accounts.

The statement said the condition has been "exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance," the statement read.

The "Piano Man" singer, 76, is currently receiving treatment.

"Under his doctor’s instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period," the statement said. "Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health."

Normal pressure hydrocephalus, or NPH, is caused when cerebrospinal fluid builds up inside a person’s skull and presses on the brain, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It mostly occurs in people over the age of 65.

That fluid tends to take up a little more space in older adults because brain volume shrinks as a normal part of the aging process, said Dr. Wajd Al-Holou, a neurosurgeon at the University of Michigan Health.

Memory loss, incontinence and trouble walking are also common. Patients can have trouble lifting their feet, putting them at risk for stumbling and falling.

While the disorder can look like dementia, a key difference is that NPH is often treatable and sometimes reversible if caught early, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Joel said in a statement that he was "sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding."

This is not the first time the "Uptown Girl" singer adjusted a tour due to health issues. In March, he announced that he would postpone a tour for four months because of a "medical condition." The condition was not specified.

In February, Joel fell during a performance in Uncasville, Connecticut. In a video posted to TikTok on Feb. 23, the musician appears to throw his microphone and microphone stand at the crowd after wrapping up a song before losing his balance and falling onto his side. Joel rolled onto his back and laid there for a second, before appearing to attempt to get up on his own.


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