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Billy Joel shares encouraging update after brain disorder diagnosis

BBG News

Billy Joel reassured fans about his health on Monday.

The 76-year-old artist had to call off all his upcoming performances following a May announcement of his diagnosis with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH). This condition arises due to an accumulation of too much cerebrospinal fluid in the brain’s ventricles, leading to issues like memory loss, walking difficulties, and bladder control problems, as explained by the Alzheimer’s Association.

In a statement released on May 23rd, Joel mentioned that his performances at recent concerts had exacerbated his health issues, resulting in hearing, sight, and equilibrium problems. During an appearance on Bill Maher’s podcast, “Club Random,” the famous singer known as the “Piano Man” admitted that he frequently feels as though he’s on a boat, but overall, he’s doing quite well.

Joel expressed his well-being, perched at the piano. He mentioned that while they often label what he has as a ‘brain disorder,’ it doesn’t fully capture how he genuinely feels.

Joel noted that the condition is idiopathic, meaning no one knows the cause.

Music

Billy Joel has decided to postpone all his future performances to devote time to managing normal pressure hydrocephalus, a condition that causes an accumulation of too much cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.

He remarked, “It seemed like it was due to excessive drinking,” but now he abstains. Previously, he confessed, “I drank as much as a fish would.

In July 2024, Joel concluded his 10-year stint as a resident artist at Madison Square Garden after delivering a total of 104 shows spanning over a decade. His tour, unfortunately postponed, featured stops throughout the U.S., as well as collaborative performances with Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart, and Sting.

On Friday, the initial episode of Joel’s documentary titled “Billy Joel: And So It Goes” was released on HBO. This two-part series delves into Billy Joel’s life story, from being a bullied child in Long Island to becoming a renowned music maker, and includes appearances by Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Pink, and Sting.

In her article, Times television editor Maira Garcia highlights that Part 1 “provides a fresh perspective on the artist’s past relationship with his ex-wife and manager Elizabeth Weber, demonstrating how she played a pivotal role in shaping his career into stardom. Interestingly, songs such as ‘Big Shot’ and ‘Stiletto’ were born out of the tumultuous periods in their marriage.” She finds this portrayal to be engaging and complex, showcasing an individual with flaws who produced enduring music and left a lasting impact.

Part 2 of “And So It Goes” premieres Friday on HBO and HBO Max.

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2025-07-21 23:01

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