Music legend Billy Joel shared a heart-breaking announcement with his fans, leaving them saddened and concerned for the artist’s future. Joel has a ton of hits from his lengthy career, but most well known among them is “Piano Man.”
Joel announced that he would be cancelling the remainder of his upcoming shows after being diagnosed with a brain disorder. The “Uptown Girl” singer, 76, was diagnosed with an illness known as normal pressure hydrocephalus, a condition that impacts vision, hearing, and balance. Yale Medicine calls the condition “very rare.”
Billy Joel got on social media to share the news with his supporters.
“This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance,” he wrote. “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 said in the statement, “and thank you for understanding.”
Joel’s last performance was on Feb. 22 at Mohegan Sun Arena located in Uncasville, Connecticut. As the show was winding down, the singer suffered a fall, landing on his back just moments after tossing his microphone stand to a nearby crew member. He managed to get back up and finish the show.
Here’s more from Rolling Stone:
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.
“NPH is unusual among dementia-like conditions because it’s often reversible,” an article from the Cleveland Clinic read. “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 is still, after all of these years in the business, one of the most popular touring acts on the planet. The tour that he was forced to cancel included shows at Yankee Stadium, Citi Field, and MetLife Stadium. Fans who bought tickets for the tour will receive a full refund.
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