Billy Joel has been slow to retake the stage after canceling all his shows and revealing his diagnosis of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, a brain disorder caused by a build up of cerebrospinal fluid. In a new interview, the 77-year-old explained that his doctors worried loud concerts were damaging his brain.
The doctors told Billy Joel that because of his job, which is playing rock and roll music very loud, that it was giving him something like a concussion every time he did a show. It was causing damage to his brain nerves and he could be losing more brain cells the more shows he did and he realized that means he shouldn’t be doing this right now. He got to improve. They don’t want him to stress too much.
Health Concerns and Treatment
Billy Joel also explained that he was initially hesitant to receive a brain shunt to relieve the pressure. “But then I read up on it and I realized it can help improve your balance and can help your memory,” he said. “You know, I don’t want to lose my marbles. It’s hard to tell what’s age and what’s a condition, so I agreed to do the shunt and I had a surgery, and they implanted a shunt in my brain and it actually improved things. My memory got better, my balance got a little better, my ability to function was better.”
There is currently no timetable for Billy Joel’s return to regular live performance, but he continues to improve. His most recent full concert took place on February 22nd, 2025, which saw him fall during the show. He got back on the stage for the first time in January of this year, joining a Billy Joel cover band for two songs.
A Message to Fans
“I just want people to know, don’t worry about me,” Billy Joel said. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m here. I’m still here.”
In conclusion, Billy Joel is taking the necessary steps to prioritize his health and well-being, and while there is no set date for his return to live performances, fans can take comfort in knowing that he is on the road to recovery and still committed to his music. With his iconic career spanning decades, Billy Joel remains a beloved figure in the music industry, and his dedication to his craft is unwavering. As he continues to focus on his health, fans can look forward to the possibility of future performances from this music legend.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte, widely regarded as the “Shakespeare of Sh*tposts,” is a video game expert with a unique knack for turning pixels into punchlines.
Born in the small town of Respawn, Pennsylvania, Pixel grew up mashing buttons on an ancient NES controller, firmly believing that “blowing into the cartridge” was a sacred ritual passed down through generations.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte: proving that life, much like a buggy open-world game, is better with a little lag-induced chaos.
