Billy Joel Tells Howard Stern: 'I'm Not Dying'
Howard Stern revealed a conversation with Billy Joel where the music icon discussed his recent diagnosis of a brain condition.
The 76-year-old 'Piano Man' singer recently revealed he was diagnosed with a brain disorder called Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) and announced while canceling his upcoming concerts for at least four months. NPH is a brain disorder where excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain's ventricles. The news has caused fans to worry about Joel's health.
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On Tuesday's episode of The Howard Stern Show, the Sirius XM radio host said had dinner with Joel a couple of weeks earlier for the singer's birthday.
'We had dinner together, it went fine,' Stern said. 'He does have issues. But he said to me — so I'm not saying anything crazy — 'Yeah, you can tell people: I'm not dying.' He wants people to know that. He's got to deal with some medical stuff. But he was delightful. We had a great time with the wives. Billy's doing okay.'
Two weeks ago, Joel's team posted a statement to his official social media announcing his diagnosis, which explained: 'This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems 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 prioritizing his health … He is grateful for the support from fans during this time and looks forward to the day when he can once again take the stage.'
Joel added in a statement, 'I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience and thank you for understanding.'
Alexis Roderick Joel, the singer's wife, also said in a statement: 'Thank you for the outpouring of love and support. We are so grateful to the wonderful care and swift diagnosis we received. Bill is beloved by 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.'
Last year, Joel played the 100th show as part of a decade-long residency at Madison Square Garden. He also performed at the Grammys for the first time in over 20 years.
His upcoming tour included 17 shows in stadiums across North America and England. Fans were automatically refunded for the canceled shows.
— Jackie Strauss contributed to this report
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