Billy Joel has given an in-depth update on his ongoing health struggles and explained why he has yet to announce any new shows. Joel shared last year that he had been diagnosed with a rare brain disorder, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, which can cause problems with vision, hearing and balance. In a new interview with SiriusXM’s dedicated Billy Joel channel, the singer-songwriter, 77, said that he first declined to have a shunt implanted in his skull to remove the excess fluid the disorder was causing, believing it to be too extreme a measure.
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.” In the same interview Joel explained that, due to his neurological disorder, playing live shows was giving him “something like a concussion” every night, and that was behind his decision not to announce any new live dates. They don’t want me to stress too much.” Joel’s last full show was 22 February 2025 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, during which he fell down while performing “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me”. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial.
This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. The musician played it off as a joke, but it later transpired it was a result of NPH. Joel went public with his diagnosis three months later and cancelled his remaining shows.
At the time, a statement from his representatives revealed his condition and explained how live performances were making it worse. While Joel seemed unsure if he would get back to live shows, he assured fans: “I know people have heard, ‘Oh, he’s got a brain disorder,’ [but] I’m OK,” he said. I’m still here.” Earlier this week, Joel announced the death of his longtime collaborator and friend Jon Small.
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