Billy Joel insists he is ‘okay' amid brain condition battle
The Piano Man crooner, 76, worried fans in May when it was announced he had been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a rare but treatable condition that affects the brain and can impair hearing, vision and balance.
In an update about his condition he has now urged fans not to worry about him, telling People: 'I know a lot of people are worried about me and my health, but I'm okay.
'What I have is something very few people know about, including me, no matter how much you try to research it. I'm doing my best to work with it and to recover from it.'
Billy's diagnosis was first shared publicly in a statement through his team, and he added balance issues were his earliest and most persistent symptom.
'It was like being on a boat all the time,' he told People.
Billy added: 'It was scary, but I'm okay. I just wanted to let people know, don't worry about me being deathly ill or anything.'
Following his diagnosis, Billy cancelled all scheduled performances, with his representatives confirming that his condition had been 'exacerbated by recent concert performances'.
A statement at the time said: 'Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period.
'Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving from fans during this time and looks forward to the day when he can once again take the stage.'
The singer added to fans: 'I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding.'
Billy's wife, Alexis Joel, 42, shared a message on Instagram alongside a family photo including their daughters, Della, nine, and seven-year-old Remy.
She wrote: 'Thank you for the outpouring of love and support. 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. We are hopeful for his recovery. We look forward to seeing you all in the future.'
Billy's eldest daughter, 39-year-old Alexa Ray Joel — his child with ex-wife Christie Brinkley — also expressed support on social media.
'We love you and we got you, Pop!' she wrote – adding: 'My Dad is the strongest and most resilient man I've ever known… and he's entirely committed to making a full recovery with ongoing physical-therapy treatments as he continues to regain his strength.'
Billy's health update comes amid renewed interest in his life and work due to the HBO documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes.
The two-part feature, which premiered last week, features in-depth interviews with Billy and explores key moments of his six-decade career.
Part two is set to air on Friday, 25 July.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
Cameron Boyce's mom thanks Adam Sandler for tribute
Cameron Boyce's mom has thanked Adam Sandler for paying tribute to her late son in Happy Gilmore 2. The Descendants actor - who played Adam's son in 2010's Grown Ups and 2013's sequel Grown Ups 2 - passed away in 2019 at the age of 20 following a seizure but the new golfing comedy features a scene where Cameron can be seen on TV. The brief scene shows Adam's titular character Happy checking in at a golf course, where staff are watching a TV show featuring Cameron, which fans believe to be his Disney Channel show Jessie, in which he starred as Luke Ross from 2011 to 2015. And Cameron's mom, Libby Boyce, has shared a still featuring the moment and wrote on Instagram: "Thank you @adamsandler for honoring Cam's legacy in Happy Gilmore 2 (sic)" Libby also reflected on the bond Adam and Cameron had shared and thanked the Murder Mystery actor for his ongoing support for her late son. She wrote in a separate post: "Adam and Cameron talked quite a bit in the days leading up to his death. "Cameron was supposed to be in Hubie Halloween and they were strategizing. They had a bond I think related to being authentic, funny and just keeping it real. Adam always finds a way to keep Cam's memory alive which warms our heart." While Cameron passed away before Hubie Halloween was filmed, Adam incorporated a tribute to the "talented" young star in the movie's credits. A picture of the actor was shown along with the message: "In loving memory of CAMERON BOYCE. Gone way too soon and one of the kindest, coolest, funniest, and most talented kids we knew. You live on forever in our hearts and are truly missed every day." And shortly after the news of Cameron's death was announced, the 58-year-old actor shared a heartfelt tribute. Adam wrote on social media at the time: "Too young. Too sweet. Too funny. "Just the nicest, most talented, and most decent kid around. Loved that kid. Cared so much about his family. Cared so much about the world. Thank you, Cameron, for all you gave to us. So much more was on the way. All our hearts are broken. "Thinking of your amazing family and sending our deepest condolences.' On what would have been Cameron's 21st birthday in May 2020, Adam again honoured the star. He wrote on Instagram: "Happy birthday to Cameron. Would have been 21 years old. Such a great kid. We all miss him a lot. Especially his incredible family."
Courier-Mail
4 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
Queen Mary rushed indoors after shock moment during outing
Don't miss out on the headlines from Royals. Followed categories will be added to My News. IN LONDON Queen Mary has been forced to cut short her appearance at a royal walkabout after a painful encounter. The Australian-born monarch, 53, was with her husband, King Frederik, 57, and two of their children – Princess Isabella, 18, and Prince Vincent, 14, greeting locals in Gråsten, Denmark as they kicked off their summer holiday. The Danish royal family were greeting local wellwishers. Picture: Instagram In footage shared on social media, Mary was seen standing with her family before wincing and touching her leg in distress, prompting her husband and children to check on her. X Learn More SUBSCRIBER ONLY A wasp appears to have been to blame, with Sky News reporting that Mary insisted her family continue with the engagement, while she was whisked away to a nearby hotel. Meanwhile, local media outlet Billed Bladet confirmed she appeared to be OK despite the ordeal. 'The queen certainly did not seem to be badly affected by the encounter with the stinging wasp, and she, together with the king, Isabella and Vincent, made sure to greet the many citizens who had gathered in the square,' the publication reported. The Danish royal family later settled into Gråsten Palace, their summer holiday home for the next few weeks. The outing marked the beginning of their summer holidays. Picture: Instagram It's been an intensely busy 18 months for the King and Queen who officially ascended the Danish throne on January 14 last year, after Frederik's mother, Queen Margrethe, abdicated and thus ended her 52-year reign. A short time later, the King released a book, co-authored by royal biographer Jens Anderson, revealing a surprising amount of personal details about the royal couple. 'I love marriage, my wife, our children and the whole happy base that arises for the people who manage to stay together and persevere,' he wrote. He described Mary as his 'partner and wing woman' and praised their 'super dynamic'. Originally published as Queen Mary rushed indoors after shock moment during outing
Courier-Mail
4 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
US rapper Mack Maine announces son's tragic death as tributes pour in
Don't miss out on the headlines from Entertainment. Followed categories will be added to My News. Mack Maine has announced the death of his son. The 'Tapout' rapper, who has collaborated with hip-hop greats like Lil Wayne, Future and Nicki Minaj, took to Instagram to reveal that his young son Isaiah, also known as Zeke, died earlier this month from a fatal seizure. He was 20, TMZ reports. 'Been trying to build up the strength to put up this post since last night so bear with me,' Maine, 43, began on Monday. 'On July 16th I received a call that my son Isaiah (Zeke) passed away at his home in California from a seizure,' the New Orleans native continued. 'I'm still in shock and still processing the fact that he's gone. Still confused, still questioning life and why my child and not me.' Mack Maine shared the heartbreaking news on social media. Picture: Getty. Zeke passed away following a seizure. Picture: Instagram Maine, who was named president of Lil Wayne's record label Young Money Entertainment in 2009, went on to call fatherhood 'one of the greatest gifts' in life. He wrote that his son's passing has been a 'pain I've personally never felt before.' 'The experience and bond with you and I brought me purpose,' Maine captioned several photos of his late son. 'YOU were my biggest inspiration and were the reason I got out of the bed when everyone else snoozed.' 'Your smile brightened my dark days as you were my SONshine,' the record exec continued. 'Your soul was made of innocence and your heart was pure.' Monday also marked the Always Strapped rapper's 43rd birthday and the second anniversary of his father's death. Maine asked that his fans 'hug the ones you love' and 'tell them you love them.' Mack Maine posing with his son. Picture: Instagram The rap label exec, whose real name is Jermaine Anthony Preyan, ended his touching tribute with a shoutout to both his late son and dad. 'To Zeke I love you and I know I'll see you again,' he wrote. 'To my Pops I miss you big dawg and I know you met Zeke on the other side with open arms.' 'I vow to continue to make yall proud I just ask yall continue to walk with me and pick me up when I fall … I need the strength …. Until we meet again … LOVE,' Maine concluded. Many of Maine's fans and peers offered their condolences. 'I don't even believe what I just read,' Nicki Minaj, 42, wrote. 'This can't be real.' 'I love you so much,' she continued. 'You guys raised the most incredible young man. He was such a perfect boy. I have no words to express what you must be feeling. No words.' 'We are praying for your whole family, Mack,' the singer concluded her message. 'We love you so much.' This story originally appeared on New York Post and is republished here with permission. Originally published as US rapper Mack Maine announces son's tragic death as tributes pour in
