Billy Joel's Albums Surge Back To The Charts Following His Major Announcement
Billy Joel's albums The Hits and The Stranger reenter the Billboard 200 after the piano player ... More canceled all upcoming shows following his diagnosis. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 09: Billy Joel performs at Allegiant Stadium on November 09, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by)
Billy Joel has been a major touring force for many years, which seems to have appeased many longtime lovers of his work, as he disappointingly no longer releases music as frequently as he once did. Sadly, the superstar is stepping away from all scheduled performances, which have been canceled for the foreseeable future. This sweeping move follows a May announcement revealing that he has been diagnosed with a condition called normal pressure hydrocephalus, which can affect everything from vision and hearing to balance, making it unsafe for him to perform live.
Fans of Joel are understandably disappointed they won't be seeing him play anytime soon, but they don't seem to be complaining. Instead, they're showing their love by returning to his music.
Just days ago, Joel didn't appear on any Billboard rankings, but following the announcement of his health condition, several of his projects have experienced a resurgence, and they bring him back to the most important albums tally in the United States.
Leading the comeback is The Hits, a compilation of Joel's most beloved tunes. The appropriately-titled release returns to the Billboard 200 at No. 178. According to Luminate, the collection moved just under 8,900 equivalent album units in the latest tracking frame.
Fewer than 10 spots behind The Hits comes one of Joel's classic studio efforts, The Stranger, which reenters the Billboard 200 at No. 187. The project moved 8,700 equivalent units, with nearly 800 of those coming from pure purchases. Streaming activity appears to have largely made up the rest.
Between the two, The Stranger stands out as the greater success on the Billboard 200. It originally peaked at No. 2 and has now spent 139 frames on the list. The album ranks as Joel's second-longest-charting title, behind only The Essential Billy Joel, which — somewhat surprisingly — does not return to the ranking this time around.
The Hits, meanwhile, has spent just over half a year on the Billboard 200 since debuting in 2011. The project narrowly managed to become a top 40 success on the competitive list, as it once peaked at No. 34.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
34 minutes ago
- CBS News
How medical debt impacts your credit (and what you can do about it)
We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. If you're dealing with unpaid medical debt, it could hurt your credit — but there are ways to resolve the today's healthcare landscape, even a brief hospital visit can leave behind a mountain of bills. And with insurance not always covering everything — or in some cases, anything — many Americans are left grappling with medical debts they never expected to face. In 2024, about 20 million Americans, or nearly 1 in 12 adults, owed money for medical debt, according to the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) survey. The impact of this type of debt can be more than financial, though. Medical debt often hits during a time of personal crisis — after an accident, illness or surgery — leaving people emotionally overwhelmed and financially vulnerable. And when those bills go unpaid, the stress can compound as collections calls start and credit scores begin to slip. For many, this debt is not the result of overspending or poor budgeting, but simply the price of getting necessary care. Luckily, recently updated credit reporting rules and a range of relief programs are starting to ease the burden for many patients. But it's still important to understand exactly how medical debt affects your credit and what steps you can take to protect yourself. Find out how to get help with your debt problems today. How medical debt impacts your credit Medical debt used to be one of the quickest ways to damage your credit score. Even small unpaid bills could end up in collections and drag down your credit for years. But relatively recent changes from the three major credit bureaus — Experian, TransUnion and Equifax — have shifted how this type of debt is handled. Here's what changed: Paid medical collections no longer appear on credit reports. If you settle or pay off your medical debt, it should no longer hurt your credit, even after it goes to collections. If you settle or pay off your medical debt, it should no longer hurt your credit, even after it goes to collections. There's now a one-year waiting period. Medical bills sent to collections won't be added to your credit report for 12 months, giving you time to resolve them or work out a payment plan. Smaller debts are excluded. Medical collections under $500 no longer appear on credit reports at all. These reforms mean that unpaid medical bills might not damage your credit as quickly or as severely as they once did. Still, if a large medical balance goes unresolved for too long, it can eventually show up on your report and lower your credit score, especially if you don't take action during that one-year grace period. It's also important to know that while medical debt is handled differently than credit card or loan debt, lenders don't necessarily make that distinction. A collection is a collection, and any mark on your credit report can impact your ability to get approved for a loan, rent an apartment or even land certain jobs. Explore your debt relief options with the help of an expert now. What you can do about your medical debt If you're struggling with medical debt, you have options. Taking action sooner rather than later can help you avoid collections and limit the potential damage to your credit score. Here are some strategies worth considering: Review and negotiate your bills Start by carefully reviewing every bill for errors or duplicate charges. Medical billing mistakes are surprisingly common. If something doesn't look right, call the provider or hospital's billing department and ask for an itemized statement. Once you verify the charges, see if the provider will negotiate. Many are willing to offer discounts for prompt payment, set up interest-free payment plans or even reduce what you owe if you demonstrate financial hardship. Apply for financial assistance Nonprofit hospitals are legally required to offer financial assistance programs to eligible patients. If you're low-income or facing financial hardship, you may qualify for partial or full forgiveness, even if the bill has already gone to collections. Ask your provider's billing office for an application. Consider a debt relief program If your medical debt is substantial or you're juggling multiple types of unsecured debt, a debt relief program, like debt settlement, may be worth exploring. Debt settlement programs work by negotiating with your creditors to settle your debts for less than the full amount owed. There are also debt relief programs that consolidate your debts into a single monthly payment, which can make them easier to manage. Keep in mind, however, that while debt settlement can help resolve medical collections, it may come with risks, such as fees, tax implications and temporary credit score drops, so it's important to work with a reputable provider and understand the trade-offs. Monitor your credit Your credit report should reflect any paid or settled medical debts accurately, but that may not always be the case. So, be sure to check your credit report regularly to ensure no incorrect medical collections are listed. If you spot an error, dispute it with the credit bureau directly. The bottom line Medical debt can feel uniquely unfair, as it often comes out of nowhere and hits when you're least prepared. But while it has the potential to hurt your credit, changes in how this debt is reported now offer more breathing room. You still need to act quickly and proactively, but there's a path forward even when the bills seem insurmountable. From negotiating with providers to seeking financial aid or working with a debt relief program, there are ways to tackle medical debt without wrecking your financial future. So, know your options and use the time you have before those bills end up on your credit report to tackle the issue before it compounds.
Geek Vibes Nation
36 minutes ago
- Geek Vibes Nation
The Second Season Of HBO's 'The Last Of Us' Heads To 4K UHD Blu-Ray This September
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has announced that they will be bringing the hit HBO drama The Last Of Us: The Complete Second Season to 4K Ultra HD Steelbook, 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD on September 23, 2025. Based on the famed video game of the same name, the season two returning cast includes Pedro Pascal as Joel, Bella Ramsey as Ellie, Gabriel Luna as Tommy, and Rutina Wesley as Maria. New cast includes Kaitlyn Dever as Abby, Isabela Merced as Dina, Young Mazino as Jesse, Ariela Barer as Mel, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Spencer Lord as Owen, Danny Ramirez as Manny, and Jeffrey Wright as Isaac. Catherine O'Hara also guest stars as therapist, Gail. Fans can own all seven episodes of the critically acclaimed second season along with nearly two hours of special features including two never-before-seen featurettes. The 4K UHD Blu-Ray releases will come with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos audio. Get the details below! Synopsis: Five years after the events of the first season, Joel and Ellie are drawn into conflict with each other and a world even more dangerous and unpredictable than the one they left behind. SPECIAL FEATURES ON DIGITAL INCLUDE: Ellie's Ultimate Revenge (New Featurette Exclusive to 4K, BD and DVD) – Join the cast and crew as we discover what is fueling Ellie's revenge and the rage within. What lead her on this path? Who is Ellie as a person and what drives her? What is her current relationship with Joel? How does she feel after she witnesses Joel die? Who is Abby? How can she find her? What will she do when she finally does? All of these questions are explored in Ellie's Ultimate Revenge. (New Featurette Exclusive to 4K, BD and DVD) – Join the cast and crew as we discover what is fueling Ellie's revenge and the rage within. What lead her on this path? Who is Ellie as a person and what drives her? What is her current relationship with Joel? How does she feel after she witnesses Joel die? Who is Abby? How can she find her? What will she do when she finally does? All of these questions are explored in Ellie's Ultimate Revenge. Beneath the Surface: The Visual FX of The Last of Us (New Featurette Exclusive to 4K, BD and DVD) – The Last of Us invites you behind the scenes with the award-winning teams who bring the show to life. Tour the prosthetic workshop and revisit the concept art that inspired the characters! See the pyro team bathe the infected stunt performers in flames. Go behind the scenes as the production prepares hundreds of background actors in hair and make up for their epic attack on Jackson. Learn how VFX and Costume teams worked together to help bring to life the spore-filled basement beneath Lakehill Hospital. Featuring interviews with cast and crew. Growing the World of The Last of Us Welcome to Jackson (Set Tour) Joel's Journey to Season 2 Ellie's Journey to Season 2 Pedro and Bella Q&A Battle of Jackson, Deconstructed Open Book: Isabela Merced & Young Mazino Mushroom Taste Test Character Featurette – Joel Character Featurette – Ellie Character Featurette – Abby Character Featurette – Dina Making of: The Last of Us Episode #1 Making of: The Last of Us Episode #2 Making of: The Last of Us Episode #3 Making of: The Last of Us Episode #4 Making of: The Last of Us Episode #5 Making of: The Last of Us Episode #6 Making of: The Last of Us Episode #7 (New Featurette Exclusive to 4K, BD and DVD) – The Last of Us invites you behind the scenes with the award-winning teams who bring the show to life. Tour the prosthetic workshop and revisit the concept art that inspired the characters! See the pyro team bathe the infected stunt performers in flames. Go behind the scenes as the production prepares hundreds of background actors in hair and make up for their epic attack on Jackson. Learn how VFX and Costume teams worked together to help bring to life the spore-filled basement beneath Lakehill Hospital. Featuring interviews with cast and crew.
Geek Vibes Nation
37 minutes ago
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Ballerina' Review - Ana de Armas Is A Bona Fide Badass
It doesn't matter how good you are or how qualified you are on paper; if you don't fit their mold, they will undoubtedly underestimate you. But you know what? Let them. Let their presumptions be their downfall. Obliterate the box they want to fit you in, redefine the archetype, and no need to prove them wrong, prove yourself right. Make them question the status quo, which in turn makes them question themselves. Win on your terms. Furthermore, define yourself before your narrative becomes dictated by others. If all else fails, call Eve. 'Does she know who her parents really were?' If you thought the chaos that ensued after John Wick's dog was killed was a wild ride, wait until you experience the wrath of over a decade of hate, animosity, and pain being unleashed. Directed by Len Wiseman, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina is a vengeance-driven body count bonanza. As the film nestles cozily between John Wick 3 and 4 , Eve firmly plants her flag within this universe, solidifying two things: the franchise just got better, and Ana de Armas is a bona fide badass. From utilizing the same neon and cold color aesthetic, interacting with familiar faces, along with a somewhat similar story format, I can't remember a spinoff being this good. Not to mention, our ballerina, Eve, lets more bodies hit the floor than playing the Drowning Pool song on repeat for hours. With arguably more grit than the films that bore it and featuring the same level of hypnotic magnetism, Ballerina is sure to dazzle audiences. With endless guns, a myriad of blades, and enough vengeance for multiple films, fans are treated to a buffet of violence and the cold smolder of Eve's eyes. While the plot may be simple and the story uncomplicated, there's a visceral understanding and relatability to what is unfolding. Motivated by tragedy, Eve has pushed past her limits in training and is prepared to hunt down those who have taken from her. The only problem is that doing so goes against the rules held by the Ruska Roma. And as we know, if you break the rules, you've just initiated your own demise. 'If you deal in blood, there must be rules.' The film thrives in its authentic feel as it details Eve's size disadvantages and how, to succeed as an assassin or Kikimora (protector), she'll have to be unorthodox, being told to 'Fight like a girl'. This aspect is where the film separates and stands out from JW . Not only does it highlight the beginning of her grueling training, but you can see her progression with each deadly encounter. She has no contacts or support system and no bulletproof suit, only a heart full of fire and the ability to end a life with almost anything. The story features about the same amount of dialogue as Keanu Reeves' first assassin outing, however, de Armas' Eve Macarro has a lot more to say as their circumstances differ. High-octane action may be what's on the surface and what audiences fawn over, but what is at its core is highlighting and thwarting cultism and dangerous indoctrination. And Eve unknowingly takes on a task that even John Wick would have trouble with. Speaking of John, yes, he is in the film, and fortunately, not as much as you'd think. His presence is only needed in the moments presented, as Ana de Armas does a fantastic job leading the story. Instead of believing lore, we're seeing the birth of it. The fight choreography is top-tier, as expected, and the camerawork works in perfect tandem with each action sequence. Moreover, the craft team did an amazing job with the aesthetics. I think I can confidently say that there will be a sequel. Its rewatchability is high. Ana de Armas as Eve in Ballerina. Photo Credit Murray Close/Lionsgate © 2025 Lionsgate Not unlike the rest of the John Wick franchise, the pacing of this film is relentless yet steady as the action comes early and often. What popped for me was the unspoken progression of Eve's confidence, fighting style, and ability. The visual storytelling is horrific for those who stand in her way, but exhilarating for the viewer. Keanu Reeves as John Wick in Ballerina. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate © 2025 Lionsgate Starring: Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, with Ian McShane, and Keanu Reeves Ana de Armas crushes this performance. Who would've thought that after 2015's Knock Knock, that de Armas and Keanu Reeves would be standing across from each other as the most prolific professional killers. As Eve, she matches John Wick's brooding demeanor, exceeds his intensity, and ultimately is a perfect fit for the Wick Universe. She harbors the ideal balance of killer and care, and the combination makes for an exciting experience. Ballerina releases in theaters on June 6, 2025. Stay safe and RIP Lance Reddick. Rated: R Runtime: 2h 5m Director: Len Wiseman Writer: Shay Hatten Producer: Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Chad Stahelski Executive Producers: Keanu Reeves, Louise Rosner, Kevan Van Thompson, Kaley Smalley Romo, Shay Hatten Director of Photography: Romain Lacourbas, AFC, ASC Production Designer: Phil Ivey Editers: Nicholas Lundgren, Jason Ballantine ASE, ACE Costume Designer: Tina Kalivas Music by: Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard Stunt Coordinator: Jackson Spidell Supervising Stunt Coordinator: Stephen Dunlevy
