LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Billy Joel has canceled all of his upcoming concerts after being diagnosed with a brain disorder
The legendary musician posted a statement on social media revealing he has a condition called Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH).
"This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance," according to the statement.
"Under doctor's instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period."
Joel thanked fans and said he is grateful for support from fans and looks forward to taking the stage again.
"I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding," he said.
A planned September 2025 show at Cincinnati's Paycor Stadium is among the concerts canceled through July 2026.
According to the Johns Hopkins Medicine website, NPH is a build up of cerebrospinal fluid, which cushions the brain and spinal cord.
"This may be due to past injury, bleeding, infection, brain tumor, or surgery on the brain, or the cause is often not known," Johns Hopkins said, but the pressure from the excess fluid can lead to brain damage.
"NPH is rare. It most often affects older adults, and its symptoms can be like those of Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases."
In March, “The Piano Man” and “Uptown Girl” singer announced that he underwent surgery and had to undergo physical therapy. A statement at the time said doctors expected him to make a full recovery. It is unclear if his medical issues at the time were related to Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.
The condition can cause problems with walking, bladder control and thinking, with symptoms worsening if left untreated. It’s relatively rare and can be hard to diagnose. It can be treated successfully with surgery to install a tube to drain excess fluid. Patients may need physical therapy in addition to surgery.
Joel, 76, wrapped up his decadelong residency at Madison Square Garden in July 2024 and continued to tour. His planned summer stops included shows at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field in New York, and MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Tickets for all the shows will be refunded.
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