Billy Joel cancels concert dates over brain condition
"Billy Joel has announced that he will be cancelling all scheduled concerts following a recent diagnosis of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH)," read a statement on the Piano Man's website.
The condition arises if cerebrospinal fluid cannot properly flow throughout the brain and spinal cord, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. The excess fluid and pressure can cause brain damage.
The institution said on its website that NPH is rare, but can cause cognitive impairment including memory problems as well as trouble walking.
Joel's statement said "this condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance."
Prompt treatment can alleviate the condition if diagnosed early.
Joel's scrapped dates include several in Britain, as well as a packed schedule crisscrossing the United States from July 2025 up until July 2026 when he was due to round off his ambitious string of dates in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The "We Didn't Start the Fire" legend, 76, wrote "I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding."
Consummate New Yorker
Joel has been a pop mainstay and performer extraordinaire since the 1970s, with a catalog of fan favorites including "Uptown Girl" and "New York State of Mind."
Last year he capped a decade-long residency with more than 100 shows at Manhattan's famed Madison Square Garden.
The residency drew in millions of fans and grossed more than $260 million.
"Let's be real -- I'm from New York," the Bronx-born, Long Island-raised artist told journalists in the run-up to his 100th performance at the top arena.
"This is my venue. Fortunately for me, Madison Square Garden is a world venue. You can play almost any other arena in the country and nobody else in the world is going to know about it," he said.
Last year, Joel released his first new original song in almost two decades, "Turn the Lights Back On."
The Grammy winner has a laundry list of accolades to his name, including induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in addition to that organization's top lifetime achievement honor.
Joel is also a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well as a Kennedy Center honoree.
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Singer Billy Joel cancels all concerts after brain illness diagnosis
The US singer-songwriter, Billy Joel, has been diagnosed with a brain disorder that's forced him to cancel all his upcoming concerts across North America and England. Joel used his Instagram to reveal that he has Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, a fluid buildup in his brain that affects his "hearing, vision and balance". 'This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, according to a statement from Joel's team. 'Under his doctor's instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period.' In an accompanying statement, Joel said, 'I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding.' A post shared by Billy Joel (@billyjoel) In March, 'The Piano Man' and 'Uptown Girl' singer announced that he underwent surgery and had to undergo physical therapy. A statement at the time said doctors expected him to make a full recovery. It is unclear if his medical issues at the time were related to Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. The condition can cause problems with walking, bladder control and thinking, with symptoms worsening if left untreated. It's relatively rare and can be hard to diagnose. It can be treated successfully with surgery to install a tube to drain excess fluid. Patients may need physical therapy in addition to surgery. Joel, 76, wrapped up his decadelong residency at Madison Square Garden in July 2024 and continued to tour. His planned summer stops included shows at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field in New York, and MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Tickets for all the shows will be refunded.
France 24
23-05-2025
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Billy Joel cancels concert dates over brain condition
"Billy Joel has announced that he will be cancelling all scheduled concerts following a recent diagnosis of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH)," read a statement on the Piano Man's website. The condition arises if cerebrospinal fluid cannot properly flow throughout the brain and spinal cord, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. The excess fluid and pressure can cause brain damage. The institution said on its website that NPH is rare, but can cause cognitive impairment including memory problems as well as trouble walking. Joel's statement said "this condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance." Prompt treatment can alleviate the condition if diagnosed early. Joel's scrapped dates include several in Britain, as well as a packed schedule crisscrossing the United States from July 2025 up until July 2026 when he was due to round off his ambitious string of dates in Charlotte, North Carolina. The "We Didn't Start the Fire" legend, 76, wrote "I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding." Consummate New Yorker Joel has been a pop mainstay and performer extraordinaire since the 1970s, with a catalog of fan favorites including "Uptown Girl" and "New York State of Mind." Last year he capped a decade-long residency with more than 100 shows at Manhattan's famed Madison Square Garden. The residency drew in millions of fans and grossed more than $260 million. "Let's be real -- I'm from New York," the Bronx-born, Long Island-raised artist told journalists in the run-up to his 100th performance at the top arena. "This is my venue. Fortunately for me, Madison Square Garden is a world venue. You can play almost any other arena in the country and nobody else in the world is going to know about it," he said. Last year, Joel released his first new original song in almost two decades, "Turn the Lights Back On." The Grammy winner has a laundry list of accolades to his name, including induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in addition to that organization's top lifetime achievement honor. Joel is also a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well as a Kennedy Center honoree.
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