Billy Joel is canceling all of his foreseeable concerts due to a health condition. The singer, known for his beloved hits like "Piano Man," "You May Be Right," and "Uptown Girl," made the announcement today, after revealing that he suffers from a rare brain disorder known as normal pressure hydrocephalus.
Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a condition that occurs when cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain. Some of its symptoms include trouble walking, incontinence, changes in thinking and reasoning, and more. It's a disease that's likely underdiagnosed due to the fact that many of its symptoms are associated with aging.
If NPH is diagnosed early, it can be treated through surgery. If not, the disease can result in irreversible damage.
A statement from Joel's team revealed that the condition was made worse by his concert performances, which increased the symptoms of the disease.
“This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance,” reads the statement. “Under his doctor’s instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period.”
In March of this year, Joel postponed eight shows, citing a medical condition and physical therapy.
Joel thanked his followers for their understanding
In the statement, Billy Joel shared his feelings and apologized to those who'd already purchased tickets. "I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding," he said.
Joel is coming off a busy residency at Madison Square Garden. The show, made up of over 100 performances, concluded last July and was one of the biggest live acts of the past year, grossing over $260 million.
Joel was scheduled to perform in the US, Canada, and the UK alongside artists like Rod Stewart, Sting, and Stevie Nicks. His team shared that refunds would be automatic.