Billy Joel shares encouraging update after brain disorder diagnosis
The 76-year-old musician had previously canceled all of his scheduled concerts after announcing in May that he was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). NPH occurs when excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain's ventricles, with patients experiencing cognitive decline, difficulty walking and urinary incontinence, according to the Alzheimer's Assn.
Joel's recent concert performances worsened his symptoms, leading to hearing, vision and balance problems, he shared in a May 23 statement. While on Bill Maher's podcast, 'Club Random,' the 'Piano Man' crooner said he often feels like he's on a boat, but otherwise, he's doing just fine.
'I feel good,' Joel said, seated at a piano. 'They keep referring to what I have as a brain disorder so it sounds a lot worse than what I'm feeling.'
Joel noted that the condition is idiopathic, meaning no one knows the cause.
'I thought it must be from drinking,' he said, adding that he doesn't drink anymore. 'I used to, like a fish.'
Joel finished his decade-long residency at Madison Square Garden in July 2024 after 104 monthly shows at the venue. His now-canceled tour included dates across the U.S. and performances with Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart and Sting.
The first installment of Joel's documentary, 'Billy Joel: And So It Goes,' premiered Friday on HBO. The two-part series takes a deep dive into the pianist's journey from a bullied kid in Long Island to a legendary hitmaker, and features appearances from Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Pink and Sting.
Part 1 'is notable in how it reframes the narrative around his relationship with his former wife and manager Elizabeth Weber, explaining how she was instrumental in guiding his career and helping him become a superstar — and how songs like 'Big Shot' and 'Stiletto' were inspired by the rocky times in their marriage,' wrote Times television editor Maira Garcia. 'It's a compelling and nuanced portrait of an imperfect person who created timeless music and whose influence continues to reverberate.'
Part 2 of 'And So It Goes' premieres Friday on HBO and HBO Max.
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