Latest news with #PianoMan
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Will Billy Joel, 76, Ever Perform Again Following Latest Health Diagnosis?
Billy Joel won't be taking the stage anytime soon after being diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). The "Piano Man" singer canceled all of his upcoming shows after getting the news, but will he officially retire from music? A source told People magazine that Joel, 76, doesn't have plans to leave the music scene completely. In fact, the source said that Joel hopes to get back on tour as soon as he's able. "He is happiest while performing. Music is, has been and will always be his life. He's not ready to retire," a music industry source told the outlet. Meanwhile, a source close to the "Uptown Girl" singer said that "he is not retiring and hopes to be able to resume performing as his recovery progresses." According to the Alzheimer's Association, NPH "is a brain disorder in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain's ventricles, which are fluid-filled chambers." Patients suffering from NPH can experience a variety of symptoms that may include trouble walking due to balance issues, mild dementia, and/or loss of bladder control. Fortunately, however, patients with such a diagnosis can get better through treatment. NPH can be controlled or even reversed. Joel has not spoken out publicly about his diagnosis. According to People magazine, he's been doing physical therapy to help improve his symptoms. In a statement released to the public, Joel 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."Will Billy Joel, 76, Ever Perform Again Following Latest Health Diagnosis? first appeared on Men's Journal on May 28, 2025
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
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.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billy Joel Reveals He Has a Rare Brain Disorder. Here's What It Means for His Tour and Future
1949–present Billy Joel has canceled all upcoming tour dates after being diagnosed with a rare brain disorder. The Grammy-winning singer announced on May 23 that he has normal pressure hydrocephalus, an uncommon condition characterized by fluid buildup inside or around the brain. According to a statement posted on Joel's Instagram, the disorder 'has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance.' Joel is undergoing physical therapy to help treat his condition and will refrain from performing while he recovers. 'I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding,' he wrote. The 76-year-old previously postponed his tour in March after having surgery for an undisclosed medical condition. It's unclear if his surgery was related to his newly disclosed diagnosis. The brain disorder affects memory, movement, and concentration, and can even lead to vision changes and hearing loss. Treatment typically includes surgical intervention and physical therapy. Five-time Grammy-winning musician Billy Joel is best known for the songs 'We Didn't Start the Fire,' 'Piano Man,' and 'Just The Way You Are,' as well as his acclaimed 1978 album 52nd Street. The native New Yorker's first album from 1971 disappointed, but he bounced back with a string of successful records later in the decade including Piano Man, The Stranger, and 52nd Street, which won the Grammy for Album of the Year. The Piano Man continued topping charts in the '80s and '90s with the albums Glass Houses, Storm Front, and River of Dreams. By 1999, his worldwide song sales had topped $100 million, and he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Several years later, in 2013, Joel received the Kennedy Center Honors. FULL NAME: William Martin JoelBORN: May 9, 1949BIRTHPLACE: New York, New YorkSPOUSES: Elizabeth Weber (1973–1982), Christie Brinkley (1985–1994), Katie Lee (2004–2009), and Alexis Roderick (2015–present)CHILDREN: Alexa, Della, and RemyASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Taurus William Martin Joel, best known as Billy Joel, was born in New York City's Bronx borough on May 9, 1949, to Howard and Rosalind Joel. Shortly after he was born, the family moved to a section of America's famous 'first suburb,' Levittown on Long Island. Although his father was an accomplished classical pianist, it was Joel's mother who pushed the young boy to study piano. He began playing at the age of 4 and showed an immediate aptitude for the instrument. By the time he was 16, Billy was already a pro, having joined his third band before he could drive. It wasn't long before the artist, inspired by the Beatles' iconic Ed Sullivan Show performance, committed heart and soul to a life in music. He dropped out of high school to pursue a performing career. Joel devoted himself to creating his first solo album Cold Spring Harbor, which was released in November 1971 when he was 22. The terms of Joel's contract with Family Productions turned out to be onerous, and the artist was unhappy with the quality of the album they released. It wasn't a commercial success. Disillusioned with trying to make it as a rock star, Joel moved to Los Angeles to fly under the radar for a while. In early 1972, he got a gig working as a lounge pianist under the pseudonym Bill Martin. His time playing at The Executive Room on Wilshire Boulevard would later be immortalized in his song 'Piano Man,' which describes a no-name lounge's down-and-out patrons. By late 1972, an underground recording of Joel's 'Captain Jack' had been released on the East Coast and was garnering positive attention. Executives from Columbia Records sought out the lounge player and gave Joel a second chance to become a rock star. With the momentum of a Top 25 single—'Piano Man'—to his name, Joel began recording new music, coming out with the Piano Man album in November 1973 and Streetlife Serenade in October 1974. Many of his songs related to a growing frustration with the music industry and Hollywood, foreshadowing his exit from Los Angeles in 1976. As the years passed, Joel's style began to evolve, showing his range from pop to the bluesy-jazz stylings that are now closely associated with his name. The Stranger (1977) was Joel's first major commercial breakthrough, landing him three songs in the Top 25 of the Billboard Hot 100. Among those was 'Just The Way You Are,' which netted Joel his first Grammy Awards in 1979. It won the coveted categories Song of the Year and Record of the Year. His next album would be an even bigger hit. In October 1978, Joel's sixth studio album arrived in 52nd Street. By mid-November, it reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200, marking the musician's first chart-topping album. 'Big Shot,' 'Honesty,' and especially 'My Life' continued to rise on the mainstream singles chart in 1979, then Joel scored two more Grammys the following year as 52nd Street was named Album of the Year and its title track won for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. 'Honesty' was nominated for but didn't win Song of the Year. 'Glass Houses' secured Joel's fifth Grammy in three years when it won Best Male Rock Vocal Performance in 1981. Through the decade, Joel was crowned a hit-maker with smashes such as 'Tell Her About It,' 'Uptown Girl,' 'Innocent Man,' and 'The Longest Time.' He released two volumes of Greatest Hits and become the first American performer to unleash a full-scale rock production in the Soviet Union. While churning out hits, Joel also frequented the benefit circuit, performing with stars such as Cyndi Lauper and John Mellencamp to raise money for various causes. Notable nominations also continued to rack up for the musician. Glass Houses (1980), The Nylon Curtain (1982), and An Innocent Man (1983) were also in the running for Album of the Year at the Grammys. In 1989, on the heels of the successful single 'We Didn't Start the Fire,' Joel was presented with the Grammy Legend Award. His professional success continued unabated into the early 1990s, although his personal life became somewhat dramatic. After the release of River of Dreams in 1993 (another Grammy nominee for Album of the Year), Joel slowed his studio recordings but continued to tour alone and in combination with fellow artists such as Elton John. In 1999, the worldwide sales of his songs passed the $100 million mark. Also that year, Joel was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame by his idol, Ray Charles. Several years later, in 2013, Joel received the Kennedy Center Honors. In the early 2000s, Joel found himself in and out of rehab, struggling with an ongoing alcohol addiction. In 2007, Joel released the single 'All My Life,' his first song with original lyrics in 13 years. In 2015, 'Piano Man' was inducted into the National Recording Registry. Although semi-retired in terms of recording new songs, Joel has continued to tour and branch out as an artist. He has composed a number of classical songs and even reworked older ballads with an orchestral backing. Throughout the years, Joel's songs have acted as personal and cultural touchstones for millions of people, mirroring his own goal of writing songs that 'meant something during the time in which I lived... and transcended that time.' When Joel's residency at Madison Square Garden was announced in 2013, his devoted fans proved how much the singer's music resonated with them. As the first music franchise in MSG's history, Joel broke records; his monthly concerts sold out every time, grossing over $480 million in sales. The final concert of the long-running residency was on July 25, 2024. Still, Joel kept up his performance schedule. In March 2025, he underwent surgery for an unnamed medical issue that forced a five-month pause in his shows. Before his Billy Joel in Concert Tour could resume, however, the musician revealed in May that he was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus, a rare disorder that causes spinal fluid to build up in or around the brain. Joel cancelled his remaining tour dates to focus on his recovery, which includes physical therapy. Joel has been married to Alexis Roderick, his fourth wife, for nearly a decade. The couple dated for roughly six years before tying the knot at their annual Fourth of July party on Long Island in 2015. Andrew Cuomo, then the New York governor, presided over the nuptials. Before getting married, Joel and Roderick announced they were expecting their first child together. They now share two daughters: Della, born in August 2015, and Remy, born in October 2017. Joel's eldest child is his daughter Alexa, whom he had with his second wife, supermodel Christie Brinkley. Alexa was born in December 1985, the year after her parents were married. Her middle name is Ray after Joel's idol Ray Charles. Joel and Brinkley divorced in 1993 after nine years together. The musician's other marriages were with Elizabeth Weber Small, from 1973 to 1982, and TV personality and journalist Katie Lee, from 2004 to 2009. As of March 2025, Joel has an estimated net worth of $250 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. [Music is] an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music. Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us! You Might Also Like Nicole Richie's Surprising Adoption Story The Story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Her Mother Queen Camilla's Life in Photos
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Billy Joel's wife shares update on husband's brain disorder and ‘recovery' after tour cancellation
Last week, Billy announced that he had cancelled all his upcoming performances and tour dates across the US and UK. He was recently diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, a condition caused by excess cerebrospinal fluid building up in the brain's ventricles. This can lead to increased pressure, which compresses brain tissue and can lead to neurological symptoms that are sometimes mistaken for dementia. In an Instagram post on Billy's official account showing the 'Piano Man' star and his wife posing with their two daughters, Della Rose and Remy Anne, Alexis wrote: 'Thank you for the outpouring of love and support. 'We are so grateful for the wonderful care and swift diagnosis we received. Bill is beloved by so 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.' Billy, 76, and Alexis, 43, have been married since 2015. The initial statement shared to Billy's social media on Friday read: 'Billy Joel has announced that he will be cancelling all scheduled concerts following a recent diagnosis of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH). '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.' The statement ends with a direct quote from Billy, who says: 'I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding.' The affected tour dates were originally scheduled to begin in Milwaukee on April 26 and would have run until a show in Charlotte next July 3. They include two UK shows set for next June, which would have taken place in Edinburgh and Liverpool. Fans who bought tickets to any of the star's cancelled shows will receive automatic refunds via their original payment method. Billy has been touring the US since the conclusion of his record-breaking, 10-year Madison Square Garden residency in July 2024. Last February, the Grammy-winning 'Uptown Girl' singer released his first new original song in decades. Titled 'Turn the Lights Back On,' the track was produced by Freddy Wexler, who also co-wrote the song with Billy, Arthur Bacon and Wayne Hector.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billy Joel's Wife Thanks Fans For Outpouring Of Support Following Musician's Brain Disorder Diagnosis: 'We Are Hopeful For His Recovery'
Billy Joel's wife Alexis Roderick shared a health update for the musician following the outpouring of fan support after it was revealed he was diagnosed with brain disorder normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) last week. 'Thank you for the outpouring of love and support. We are so grateful for the wonderful care and swift diagnosis we received. Bill is beloved by so 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,' she wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of herself, Joel and their two children. More from Deadline Tribeca Festival Co-Founders Robert De Niro And Jane Rosenthal Express "Love And Full Support" For Ailing Billy Joel; "Deeply Honored" To Open Fest With Documentary About Him - Update Scarlett Johansson Ushers In 'SNL' Season 50 Finale With Musical Tribute Set To Billy Joel's 'Piano Man' - And Joke That Sarah Sherman Is Leaving HBO Billy Joel Documentary To Open Tribeca Festival On Friday, the 'Piano Man' singer-songwriter announced the cancellation of all his upcoming tour dates, which included engagements in 2026. The statement shared that his 'condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance,' and he is undergoing 'specific physical therapy' and refraining from live performance under advisement by his doctor. The canceled dates come after the musician fell during a concert in Connecticut in February. In March, the five-time Grammy winner postponed his tour dates for four months due to an undisclosed 'medical condition' and to ensure his 'recovery from recent surgery.' At the time, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer posted on Instagram that he would 'undergo physical therapy under the supervision of his doctors.' Per the Cleveland Clinic, NPH occurs when cerebrospinal fluid builds up inside the skull and presses on the brain. Those at risk for the disorder include people over 60 and individuals with head injuries. A treatable and sometimes reversible condition, options include surgery to implant a shunt to drain excess fluid from the skull. After the news, Tribeca Film Festival co-founders Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal released a statement in support of Joel, given that it will feature the June 4 world premiere of the HBO documentary Billy Joel: So It Goes, which opens the festival. 'Our hearts are with Billy Joel and his family following today's announcement,' Rosenthal and De Niro wrote. 'As a New York icon and global music legend, he has profoundly shaped the cultural fabric of this city and touched audiences around the world. We send our love and full support and wish him strength and a healthy recovery.' Best of Deadline 'Poker Face' Season 2 Guest Stars: From Katie Holmes To Simon Hellberg Everything We Know About Amazon's 'Verity' Movie So Far Everything We Know About 'The Testaments,' Sequel Series To 'The Handmaid's Tale' So Far
