Billy Joel ‘has no plans to retire despite ongoing health battles'
Billy Joel is said to have no plans to retire despite his ongoing health battles.
The 76-year-old singer has paused live performances following a diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus, but those close to him say he is determined to return to the stage after the five-time Grammy winner, whose hits include 'Piano Man' and 'Big Shot', announced on 23 May that he would be cancelling all remaining concert dates due to the condition, which causes a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.
Symptoms can also include issues with hearing, vision and balance but despite the setback, sources insist Billy is focused on recovery and remains committed to performing.
'He is happiest while performing,' a music industry insider told People.
They added: 'Music is, has been and will always be his life. He's not ready to retire.'
A second source told the outlet: 'Billy is not retiring and hopes to be able to resume performing as his recovery progresses.'
The singer, who is receiving treatment and undergoing physical therapy, confirmed the news in a statement shared via Instagram.
'I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding,' he said.
Billy added: 'I'm thankful for the excellent care I'm receiving and fully committed to prioritising my health. I'm grateful for the support from fans during this time and look forward to the day when I can once again take the stage.'
The crooner's wife, 42-year-old Alexis Roderick, echoed the sentiment in a post on 26 May, saying online: 'Bill is beloved by so many, and to us, he is a father and husband who is at the centre of our world.'
She also shared a photograph of the couple with their daughters Della, eight, and Remy, six.
Alexis added: 'We are hopeful for his recovery. We look forward to seeing you all in the future.'
Billy's daughter Alexa Ray Joel, 38, also voiced her support in an Instagram post shared on 24 May, captioning a painting of the two: 'We love you and we got you, Pop!'
In February, Billy stumbled and fell backwards during a show at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut after spinning a microphone stand. He quickly recovered and completed the set, but in March he postponed all shows through June, citing a medical condition requiring physical therapy.
In a statement at the time, he said: 'While I regret postponing any shows, my health must come first. I look forward to getting back on stage and sharing the joy of live music with our amazing fans.'
Billy had been scheduled to perform in cities including New York, Liverpool, New Orleans and Washington, D.C., with dates running through 2026.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Sydney Sweeney addresses relationship status as she confirms that she has split from Jonathan Davino
Sydney Sweeney has confirmed that she and Jonathan Davino have split up. The 27-year-old actress got engaged to film producer Jonathan, 41, in March 2022 after almost four years of dating but she stopped wearing her ring earlier this year, and has now confirmed that it is all off. Asked if she was still planning a wedding, she told The Times: "No." The 'Anyone But You' star was then asked if she is single and confirmed that she is, but she is learning to embrace her natural self and taking the chance to socailise with her friends. She said: "Yes. I'm learning a lot about myself, spending more time with my friends. And I'm loving it." Sydney is also aware that she needs some time off amid her busy schedule, which currently sees her filming starring roles in upcoming movies such as 'Echo Valley' and 'The Housemaid', and her friends are concerned that she is going to suffer from "burnout" at some point. She said: "I hear it more from my family than myself. 'Sydney, you're going to burn out. Sydney, you need to slow down. Sydney, you need to take a break." The confirmation of Sydney's breakup comes shortly after it had been claimed by insiders that she had become "overwhelmed" by the thought of planning a wedding and instead chose to focus on her hectic schedule instead. A source told People: "She's exactly where she wants to be. Most people would feel overwhelmed by her working schedule this year, but not Syd. She's all about working right now and very excited about all her projects. "What did make her overwhelmed, though, was her relationship and her wedding. She didn't feel right about it." "She's in the middle of this magical career that she could only dream of a few years ago. This is what she wants to focus on right now. "She's not ready to settle down. They only lasted for this long because it was hard for her to break it off. They didn't split because there is no love. They split because she just wants to focus on her career right now."
Mercury
2 hours ago
- Mercury
‘Wouldn't put my kids in it': SBW apologises for promoting Run it Straight after New Zealand tragedy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News. Sonny Bill Williams has apologised for sharing a video promoting 'Run it Straight' just days after a teenager in New Zealand died while playing a similar game with friends. One of the modern game's hardest hitters, Williams played in the pre and post shoulder charge NRL era, and there are plenty of videos on social media of his most brutal tackles. One user found a clip from 2004 of Williams putting a big hit on Penrith's Joel Clinton. Williams shared the footage, to his 1.5 million followers with the caption: 'Playing run it straight before it was called run it straight…' The 39-year-old later apologised after being made aware of the tragedy that took place in New Zealand earlier in the week. Nineteen year old Ryan Satterthwaite died on Monday night after suffering a head injury while playing a private game of 'run it straight' with friends in Palmerston North. Satterthwaite's uncle said he was inspired to give the viral online craze a try after seeing clips of it on social media. 'I put a video up last night, and I just want to ask for forgiveness of the young fulla that passed away,' Williams said in a follow up Instagram story on Saturday. 'Please excuse me for my insensitivity. Kiwi teenager Ryan Satterthwaite passed away while playing a game of run it straight with friends. Picture: Supplied 'I did not know that had happened. 'I want to talk about it for a second right now. 'I've been asked to collab with the Run it Straight people, or a couple of people, and I haven't. 'Simply because I wouldn't put my kids in it. 'I have safety concerns, and that's just my thoughts on it.' 'Run it straight' has exploded in popularity over the last five months, with videos of big collisions going viral on social media. The new 'sport' has proved controversial though, with dozens of concussion experts, former players, mental health professionals and even Prime Minister of New Zealand condemning the controversial game. Williams was a bruising defender in his day. Picture:Although he has his reservations, Williams believes the trend will continue. 'I'd like weight classes and rules around head contact, but also age and experience classes as well,' he said. 'It's gonna carry on, because people love it. It's entertainment. 'But I'd like to see some heavily controlled safety restrictions come in. 'Once again to the family, my love and regards go out to you guys.' Run it Straight touts itself as the world's newest combat sport. It sees two competitors - one attacker with a rugby ball, and one defender - run directly at each other from opposite ends of a 20m 'battlefield.' The huge collisions have seen scary knockouts, concussions and, in one instance, left a man convulsing on the ground. Run it Straight has been widely criticised for the obvious concussion dangers, and several planned events in New Zealand have been cancelled. Originally published as 'Wouldn't put my kids in it': SBW apologises for promoting Run it Straight after New Zealand tragedy
Perth Now
8 hours ago
- Perth Now
Fears betrayal ‘hints' put Jackman's public image at risk
For decades they were Australia's golden couple, their story the ultimate fairy tale. But what appeared to be a textbook amicable separation has shattered — and concerns a stellar public image could be at risk. When Hugh Jackman laid eyes on Deborra-Lee Furness while filming ABC TV prison drama Correlli in 1995, it was love at first sight. In fact, Jackman was so confident he knew Furness, who was the 'bigger star' at the time and 13 years his senior, was 'the one' that he asked for her hand in marriage just four months later. Their wedding on April 11, 1996, in Melbourne was splashed across media outlets around the nation, and again when they adopted a son named Oscar in 2000 and five years later, a daughter named Ava. The pair were rarely seen without each other on red carpets, and regularly praised each other in public. In 2016, he called his wife 'the greatest thing that ever happened to [him]'. In 2018, the Wolverine star said: 'I knew two weeks into meeting Deb that we were going to be together for the rest of our lives.' He even serenaded her with a reprise of their wedding song at a Madison Square Garden performance in 2019. Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness at their wedding. Credit: Hugh Jackman / Instagram But their seemingly enviable relationship imploded when the celebrity couple sent shockwaves through the showbiz world by announcing their split in September 2023 — just four months after attending the Met Gala together. Their separation was revealed in a statement: 'We have been blessed to share almost three decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage. Our journey now is shifting, and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth. 'Our family has been and always will be our highest priority,' it continued. 'We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love, and kindness. We greatly appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition in all of our lives.' The pair signed off as 'Deb and Hugh Jackman' and concluded: 'This is the sole statement either of us will make.' What appeared to be an amicable split — with relative silence about their heartbreak — shattered last week, when Furness finally filed for divorce. Furness reportedly submitted the paperwork in New York on May 23 after the pair reached an agreement behind the scenes. A settlement was reached that she is pleased with, which includes a handsome spousal support payment,' a source revealed to the Daily Mail. Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala on Monday, May 1, 2023. Credit: Evan Agostini / Invision/AP 'There was some back and forth regarding this financial agreement, but in the end, she got what she believed she deserved. Both are coming out of this financially secure.' The insider added that Furness got the 'closure she needed'. The next step is for the judge to sign off. Another source confirmed there was little drama between the couple while they were agreeing to the terms of the divorce. However, Furness on Tuesday spoke cryptically of 'betrayal' and said she had found 'liberation' after her marriage ended. 'My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal,' she told the Daily Mail. 'It's a profound wound that cuts deep, however, I believe in a higher power and that God/the universe, whatever you relate to as your guidance, is always working FOR us. 'This belief has helped me navigate the breakdown of an almost three-decade marriage. 'I have gained much knowledge and wisdom through this experience. Even when we are presented with apparent adversity, it is leading us to our greatest good, our true purpose. 'It can hurt, but in the long run, returning to yourself and living within your own integrity, values and boundaries is liberation and freedom.' While Furness never used the word 'infidelity', the 'betrayal' Furness mentions may allude to cheating allegations. The couple's relationship is believed to have become turbulent during COVID-19, which was around the same time Jackman struck up a friendship with Sutton Foster, his co-star on the hit Broadway revival of The Music Man. With the messy fallout playing out in public and consuming entertainment media, the question of whether their reputations have been damaged has raised its head. Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster attend the 75th Annual Tony Awards on June 12, 2022 in New York City. Credit: Dia Dipasupil / Getty Images Nicole Reaney, chief executive of Sydney-based PR agency InsideOut, said Jackman has built 'a very favourable brand image' through his career, which is now at risk of damage following Furness' remarks. 'He has just held this demeanour of a fun, genuine guy who has never been divisive,' she said. 'Obviously, no one really knows what has occurred inside their relationship, but Deborra filing for divorce and using words like betrayal in her statement has inferences into what may have occurred with his new partner. 'Hugh's image is likely to be tainted, but overall, his popularity and fame lean to him. 'If any further information unfolds, this may chip away further, but right now he still folds a favourable image.' Relationships Australia national executive officer Nick Tebbey said dealing with infidelity can be harder to work through in a long-term relationship. 'Infidelity is a really significant breach of trust in that relationship, and that brings with it a whole lot of feelings of hurt and grief and anger over what's happened,' he said. 'When a relationship has been together for for a long period of time, that can be even more acutely felt, because they feel like this bond has been built over a number of years, and people have made a huge investment in that relationship, only to have that happen and to then have to reassess what they thought the relationship was based on.' He said that this situation for a high-profile couple in the public eye added a whole new element to a marriage breakdown. 'Suddenly, all of your private matters are there on the front page of newspapers and all over social media for people to talk about and pore over and analyse,' he said. While their separation was announced more than a year ago, Mr Tebbey said it was common, regardless of the status of the relationship, for feelings to resurface as seen in Furness' recent statement. 'We do research into the sort of impacts of relationships on people, and we see that over a representative sample of the Australian population, the effects of the relationship breakdown can be really lingering, and they can go through ebbs and flows,' he said. 'So it's very normal to sort of have those issues resurface and then have to again, sort of process them.' With some fans thinking Jackman debuting a new relationship soon after his break-up was inconsiderate towards his ex, Furness was reportedly relieved when he went public with his new romance. A source close to Furness revealed she had been suspicious that Jackman was dating Foster but was repeatedly told the pair were just friends. When pictures emerged of Jackman and Foster holding hands, Furness felt a sense of relief that her suspicions had finally been confirmed. The actress admitted in January last year that change was 'frightening', but was looking forward to embracing new opportunities. Speaking amid her return to acting in Force of Nature: The Dry 2 - her first role since 2016 - Furness told the Daily Telegraph: 'It is kind of exciting. 'You know what, change, transition, evolution is a little frightening and we are all a bit scared of it, but I think it is probably our greatest gift.' Jackman was also reportedly dealing with major changes by turning to his children for support. A close friend of Jackman in May last year told Woman's Day: 'Ava and Oscar really rallied around him, and it's made a huge impact. 'He always looks so happy when he's with those two.' The insider said his children had been working to support him in his time of need. 'They know him better than he does and are constantly surprising him,' the source said. 'They've become closer than he could have imagined, and he can confide in them, whereas before he'd turn to Deb.'
