Billy Joel is canceling every concert on his itinerary, 17 shows in total booked at stadiums across North America and England, due to a recent diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH).
“This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance,” reads a statement from Joel’s team. “Under his doctor’s instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period. Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health.”
“I’m sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience,” Joel says in a statement, “and thank you for understanding.”
Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a brain disorder where excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain’s ventricles. “[It] can affect several brain-related abilities, including thinking and concentrating, memory, movement and more,” reads an explainer on the Cleveland Clinic’s website. “The symptoms of NPH look very much like those of dementia, but NPH is sometimes reversible.”
Joel’s last concert took place on Feb. 22 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Near the end of the show, he fell flat on his back after throwing his microphone stand to a crew member. But he quickly stood up and finished the set.
One month later, Joel announced that he was taking a four-month break from the road due to a “medical condition” that required surgery and physical therapy. He planned on returning to the stage on July 5 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. “While I regret postponing any shows, my health must come first,” he told fans in a statement. “I look forward to getting back on stage and sharing the joy of live music with our amazing fans. Thank you for your understanding.”
It’s unclear if his medical issues at the time were related to normal pressure hydrocephalus. The disorder affects roughly 0.2 percent of people in their seventies and causes gait issues, bladder control issues, and cognitive difficulties. It’s most commonly addressed with a surgery where a device known as a shunt is implanted to remove the excess fluids.
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“NPH is unusual among dementia-like conditions because it’s often reversible,” according to the Cleveland Clinic. “However, the chances of reversing this condition are highest with early diagnosis and fast treatment. Delays in diagnosis and treatment make it more likely that the damage to your brain from the pressure will be permanent, severe or both.”
Joel, 76, wrapped up his decade-long residency at Madison Square Garden in July 2024. In the months that followed, he continued to tour all across America and England, playing roughly twice a month. He hasn’t released an album of new pop songs since 1993’s River of Dreams, though in February 2024, he teamed up with songwriter-producer Freddy Wexler on the single “Turn the Lights Back On.” He premiered the track at the Grammys that month and performed it live a handful of times, but it left his set in June and never reappeared.
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Despite the lack of new material, Joel remains one of the most popular touring acts in the world. His planned summer tour 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 in full.
