Music icon cancels Scots show AGAIN amid major health battle as world tour axed

Scottish Sun

23-05-2025

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BILLY Joel has been forced to cancel all his upcoming performances, including his rescheduled Edinburgh show, following a diagnosis of a brain condition.
The 76-year-old Piano Man singer was scheduled to perform at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on June 6, 2026.
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Musician Billy Joel has axed the rest of his world tour
Credit: AP
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He has been diagnosed with a brain condition
Credit: AFP
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Billy Joel, circa 1978.
Credit: Getty
It would have been the first time he had returned to the capital in more than 45 years.
However, a statement on the US legend's social media announced that he is cancelling all planned concerts as he undergoes treatment for Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH), a condition that causes a build-up of fluid on the brain.
The statement read: 'This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to issues with hearing, vision, and balance.
'Under his doctor's instructions, 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 and is fully committed to prioritising his health.'
Joel also added: 'I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding.'
Earlier this year, in March, the New York-born singer postponed two UK shows - Edinburgh and Liverpool - planned for 2025 due to an unspecified medical condition.
According to the NHS website, NPH is an uncommon and poorly understood condition, which shares symptoms with more common conditions such as Alzheimer's and most often affects individuals over the age of 60.
The Edinburgh gig is among those that have been called off amid the scrapping of the rest of his world tour.
The cancellations came after Billy took a sudden tumble during a concert at the Mohegan Sun resort in Connecticut in February.
Watch the shocking moment 'frail' music legend, 75, falls over live on stage
He was singing his hit It's Still Rock and Roll to Me when he lost his footing and fell on his back, leading concerned band members to rush over to help.
But after he was helped to regain his footing, brave Billy kept rocking on and finished his performance.
Concert-goers at the time said they could tell that he wasn't his normal self, and described him as looking "frail."
"At one point, he was using the microphone stand as a cane," one fan said.
"I was really very concerned about him throughout the concert.
"Before he fell, I said to my friend 'he's going to fall' and then he did.
"The venue gasped when he hit the floor.
"He definitely looked thrown off but somehow he managed to finish the show with a final song."
What is normal pressure hydrocephalus?
NORMAL pressure hydrocephalus occurs when spinal fluid builds up in the skull and starts pressing on the brain.
The condition can affect brain function, which can lead to a loss of memory, concentration, and motor skills.
Medical experts say that NPH often presents like degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer's and is usually noticed by loved ones.
And around 30 percent of those suffering from the condition do also have one of those diseases, according to Cleveland Clinic.
However, those who only have NPH can get relief if they have a major surgery.
The surgery involves getting a shunt, which is a device that can drain fluid from the skull affecting the brain.
Despite finishing the show on a high note, the fan said that Billy, "looked frail hobbling across the stage."
"When I was younger, I was a massive fan of Billy Joel, so this is very concerning," they said.
In March, the singer announced that he would have to postpone shows due to a "medical condition and surgery recovery," but planned to reschedule them.
Now, fans should expect to get an automatic refund for all seventeen shows that he was set to play through July 2026.
Rock legends Rod Stewart, Sting, and Stevie Nicks were set to join Billy at some of the shows.
Sting reposted the statement, confirming that their six dates have been called off.
BILLY'S HEALTH BATTLE
Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a treatable condition that develops when cerebrospinal fluid builds up inside the skull and starts pressing on the brain.
The fluid can disrupt brain function and affect thinking, concentration, memory, and motor skills, according to Cleveland Clinic.
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The Piano Man legend has been receiving treatment for NPG
Credit: Getty
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He has already postponed his Edinburgh show by a year - but now its been cancelled
Credit: Getty
Oftentimes, those suffering from NPH can develop symptoms that match dementia, but the condition can be reversed with surgery.
However, experts warn that around 30 percent of people with NPH also have a degenerative brain condition like Alzheimer's.
Doctors can implant a device called a shunt, which can drain the fluid and relieve the pressure on the brain.
This is considered a major surgery because the fluid is so close to the brain, but patients can start recovering from the condition quickly if the procedure is successful.
Anyone showing symptoms that match NPH is urged to see a doctor immediately, or the condition could worsen.