Howard Stern explains what friend Billy Joel wants everyone to know about his brain disorder diagnosis

New York Post

3 days ago

Howard Stern has shared a positive update on Billy Joel's health after the singer's shocking brain disorder diagnosis.
On Tuesday, during an episode of SiriusXM's 'The Howard Stern Show,' the 71-year-old shock jock revealed that Joel is 'not dying' after being diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus.
'I saw Billy Joel two weeks ago,' he told co-host Robin Quivers. 'We had dinner together.'
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8 Howard Stern recently shared a positive update on Billy Joel's health after the singer's brain disorder diagnosis.
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8 Stern revealed that Joel is 'not dying' after being diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus.
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'Yeah, he does have issues,' Stern continued. 'But he said, 'Yeah, you can tell people, you know, I'm not dying.' You know, he wants people to know that. He just, he's gotta deal with some medical stuff, but he was delightful.'
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Stern added that he and the 'Piano Man' singer had a 'great conversation' and that he even 'brought out the guitar' to celebrate Joel's 76th birthday, which was on May 9.
'We had a great time with the wives. We had a great conversation,' the Sirius XM host said. 'I was telling him I'm enjoying playing classical music on the guitar.'
8 'But he said, 'Yeah, you can tell people, you know, I'm not dying,'' the shock jock said on Tuesday. 'You know, he wants people to know that.'
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8 Stern and Joel with their wives at Stern's Sirius XM studio on February 14, 2024.
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'Then it was his birthday. I even brought out the guitar and sang 'Happy Birthday' to him, then he threw up,' Stern joked. 'He didn't seem real impressed.'
Stern's relieving update on Joel's health comes after the 'New York State of Mind' musician revealed that he was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus last month and canceled all his tour dates through next year.
The rare disorder, which reportedly affects about 0.2% of people between the ages of 70 and 80, occurs when cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up inside the skull, presses on the brain and disrupts cognitive functioning.
8 The 'Piano Man' singer revealed that he was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus last month and had to cancel all his tour dates through next year.
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'Billy Joel has announced that he will be cancelling all scheduled concerts following a recent diagnosis of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH),' the 'Only the Good Die Young' crooner's team said in a lengthy Instagram announcement on May 23.
'This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance,' it continued. 'Under his doctor's instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period.'
'I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience,' Joel added, 'and thank you for understanding.'
8 'I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience,' Joel told his fans on May 23, 'and thank you for understanding.'
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Joel's wife, Alexis Roderick Joel, 43, broke her silence on her famous hubby's startling diagnosis days later.
'Thank you for the outpouring of love and support,' she wrote on his Instagram account alongside a shot of herself, Joel, and their daughters Della, 9, and Remy, 7. 'We are so grateful for the wonderful care and swift diagnosis we received.'
'Bill is beloved by so many, and to us, he is a father and husband who is at the center of our world,' she added. 'We are hopeful for his recovery. We look forward to seeing you all in the future.'
8 Normal pressure hydrocephalus affects about 0.2% of people between the ages of 70 and 80.
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Despite the 'Scenes From an Italian Restaurant' music legend's health issues, sources close to Joel insisted he is 'not ready to retire.'
'He is happiest while performing,' a music industry insider told People last week. 'Music is, has been and will always be his life. He's not ready to retire.'
'He is not retiring and hopes to be able to resume performing as his recovery progresses,' another insider told the outlet.
However, The Post exclusively reported that Joel will not be attending the Tribeca Festival opening night world premiere of his new documentary, 'Billy Joel: And So It Goes,' on Wednesday, June 4, in the wake of his diagnosis.
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8 Sources close to Joel insisted that he is 'not ready to retire' despite his rare brain disorder diagnosis.
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'Our hearts are with Billy Joel and his family following today's announcement,' the film festival's co-founders, Jane Rosenthal and Robert De Niro, said in a statement. 'We send our love and full support and wish him strength and a healthy recovery.'
'We're deeply honored that this year's Opening Night celebrates his remarkable legacy and enduring influence on New York's cultural landscape,' they added. 'This is the perfect moment to recognize a creative force whose work reflects the very soul of our city – and the heart of Tribeca.'