Billy Joel, 76, breaks silence on brain disorder battle which forced him to step back from singing career

Billy Joel has given an emotional update on his health amid his battle with brain disorder, normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH).

In May, music icon Joel, 76, revealed his diagnosis and announced the cancellation of his upcoming concerts, following recent onstage struggles.

The condition has impacted Joel’s ‘hearing, vision, and balance,’ with the Uptown Girl hitmaker opening up about his condition on Monday’s Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast.

He said: ‘I feel fine. My balance sucks. It’s like being a boat.’

Joel said doctors cannot identify the cause of the condition, adding: ‘They don’t know… I thought it must be from drinking.’

Over the years, Joel has been open about his struggles with alcohol and substance abuse, as well as his battles with mental health, which at one point led to a suicide attempt amid career pressures. 

Billy Joel has given an emotional update on his health amid his battle with brain disorder, normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)

In May, music icon Joel, 76, revealed his diagnosis and announced the cancellation of his upcoming concerts, following recent onstage struggles – Joel seen performing in February 2025

‘I feel good. They keep referring to what I have as a brain disorder, so it sounds a lot worse than what I’m feeling’ he said. 

‘Hydrocephalus is the buildup of fluid in the brain, enlarging the ventricles and puts pressure on brain tissue, potentially causing damage and neurological symptoms,’ per Mayo Clinic.

Joel is currently undergoing targeted physical therapy as prescribed by his doctor and has been ‘advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period.’

When diagnosed early, NPH can often be effectively treated with surgery that drains excess fluid from the brain, relieving pressure and symptoms. 

However, if left untreated, the condition may lead to permanent damage in its later stages. 

The legendary musician also expressed his gratitude for the care he’s receiving and thanked fans for their continued support. 

‘I’m sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding,’ Joel wrote on Instagram. 

‘Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health,’ the statement added.

The condition has impacted Joel’s ‘hearing, vision, and balance,’ with the Uptown Girls hitmaker opening up about his condition on Monday’s Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast  (seen in July 2024)

He said: ‘I feel fine. My balance sucks. It’s like being a boat.’ Joel said doctors cannot identify the cause of the condition, adding: ‘They don’t know… I thought it must be from drinking’- Joel is now sober

The Piano Man singer took to Instagram to share that he’s been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)

It continued, ‘He is grateful for the support from fans during this time and looks forward to the day when he can once again take the stage.’

Fans won’t need to take any steps to receive a refund—payments will be automatically returned to the original form of purchase.

Canceled dates include his summer show in New York City, along with stops in New Orleans, Toronto, Santa Clara, Salt Lake City, Washington, D.C., and Liverpool.

The new health update comes after Joel previously postponed his tour by only four months ‘due to a medical condition.’

A statement posted to his Instagram on March 11 revealed the tour has been halted after the Uptown Girl singer underwent a recent surgery.

‘The current tour will be postponed for four months to allow him to recover from recent surgery and to undergo physical therapy under the supervision of his doctors. Joel is expected to make a full recovery. The tour will resume at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on July 5, 2025,’ the post read.

‘While I regret postponing any shows, my health must come first. I look forward to getting back on stage and sharing the joy of live music with our amazing fans. Thank you for your understanding,’ Joel said in the statement at the time.

Multiple fans also speculated if his medical issues were connected to his recent fall on stage. 

In late February, Joel suffered a nasty fall on stage during a gig at the Mohegan Sun resort in Monteville, Connecticut, sparking major fear amongst fans.

Footage from the show captures the Grammy winner spinning a microphone stand before hurling it across the stage—only to suddenly topple over moments later. 

The musician was helped up by his band managed to carry on with the rest of the show and sang one more song for his fans.

Photos of the unsettling fall capture Joel—dressed in an all-black suit and dress shoes—appearing to stumble before hitting the stage hard on his side, then rolling onto his back.

And the songwriter has never been one to shy away from discussing the realities of aging.

In a conversation with BBC Radio 2 DJ Zoe Ball, he was asked whether he maintains a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise.

His candid response? ‘None of the above. I don’t think I look all that good. But I don’t look in the mirror that often, which helps a lot. There’s a saying, “things don’t look half bad with one eye closed.”‘

Joel, Christie Brinkley and their daughter Alexis Ray Joel in 1988

Joel is pictured with wife Alexis Roderick, 43, and their two young daughters 

Reflecting on what he’s most proud of, the legendary musician summed it up simply: ‘My ability to move on with life. I’ve had difficulties in my life, but it never stopped me from continuing. Troubles with business didn’t stop me from doing business. I have no bitterness about anything, even people who rip me off, I let it go. I’m content with that. I’m happy. I’m having a happy ending.’

Billy’s illustrious career as a musician began back in the mid-1960s, which led to the release of debut studio album, Cold Spring Harbor (1971).

But it failed to gain any real traction until after the success of his follow-up, Piano Man (1973), that peaked at number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number four on the Adult Contemporary singles chart.

Now an established name on the musical landscape, Joel became a million seller with the release of Streetlife Serenade (1974), but his commercial breakout making him a bonafide star came with the release of The Stranger (1977), which featured the hit singles Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song), Just The Way You Are, She’s Always a Woman, The Stranger, and Only The Good Die Young.

He would go on to release a 13th album – Fantasies & Delusions (2001) – that features classical compositions from Joel, a first for him during his career.

With over 160 million records sold worldwide, Billy Joel is one of the world’s best-selling musical artists, and the fourth-best-selling solo artist in the United States.