Legendary singer Billy Joel is hitting pause on his performances after being diagnosed with a rare brain condition. The 76-year-old announced the cancellation of all upcoming concerts on his Instagram, following his doctor’s orders to rest and recover.
The condition, called normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), impacts the brain due to excess fluid buildup in the skull. Joel’s team confirmed the diagnosis in a statement posted to Instagram on Friday.
What is normal pressure hydrocephalus?
NPH is a neurological condition that causes cerebrospinal fluid to accumulate inside the brain, leading to pressure that affects hearing, vision and balance.
The Alzheimer’s Association said NPH primarily affects people in their 60s and 70s. It’s often mistaken for Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. An estimated 700,000 U.S. adults may have it.
Treatment usually involves inserting a shunt, or a small tube, into the brain to help drain the fluid. John Hopkins Medicine noted the surgery doesn’t work for everyone, but many patients benefit, especially if they receive a quick diagnosis.
Recent fall raises concerns
Joel’s team said his condition worsened with recent shows. During his last performance on February 22 in Uncasville, Conn., the singer lost his balance after removing his microphone stand and fell on stage. According to setlist.fm, he continued the performance afterward.
Statement from Joel’s team
A statement from Joel’s Instagram page said:
“The current tour will be postponed for four months to allow him to recover from recent surgery and undergo physical therapy under the supervision of his doctors. Joel is expected to make a full recovery.”
This comes after he previously postponed eight shows in March to prioritize his health.
Fans show support
In the same statement, Joel apologized to fans, saying he hopes he hasn’t let them down and is grateful for their understanding. Fans flooded the comment section with messages of support, well wishes and prayers.
Ticket holders don’t need to take any action — refunds will be processed automatically. Joel said he looks forward to the day he can return to the stage.
