Famed artistBilly Joelhas had plenty of significant musical output over the years that has firmly established his careeras one of the greatest songwriters of all time(even if hemay not necessarily enjoy all of his creations). Joel’s lengthy journey was also recently immortalized in the docuseriesAnd So It Goes(which has received critically strong reviews).
Though perhaps the biggest question on the minds of fans and supporters of Joel alike these days is, how is his health? Back in late May, the so-called “Piano Man” suddenly had his upcoming tour date plans come crashing to a halt, largely due toa medical condition that had reportedly been exacerbated by recent concert performances at the time.
Billy Joel Was Diagnosed With Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
And It’s Not A Common Type Of Ailment
At the time his tour dates were canceled, it was revealed that the decision was made because of a disorder Joel had contracted called normal pressure hydrocephalus.Fewer than 3% of adults in Joel’s age range are ever diagnosed with NPH,which is caused by a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid inside the skull pressing on the brain, disrupting cognitive function.
Symptoms of normal pressure hydrocephaluscan be similar to those suffering from dementia, including problems walking/hearing, as well as memory difficulties or emotional changes. Despite understandable concerns about the diagnosis and what it might mean for Joel long-term, he recently provided a positive update while being interviewed on comedian Bill Maher’sClub Randompodcast.
Joel admitted that while currently his balance “sucks” and creates the sensation of “being on a boat,” overall, the 76-year-old says that he feels good, and the announcement of his having a brain disorder sounds worse than how he’s feeling. So what does this meanfor his return to the stage again as we go forward?
The Piano Man Has No Timetable To Go Back On The Road
Just Resting And Recovering His Health
At this point in time,Billy Joelhas not been given the green light to return to touring or performing live on stage. Given that concert conditions had made his diagnosis worse, Joel isstrictly only going through very specific physical therapy under doctor’s orders, and is “prioritizing his health.”
The diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus was just the latest in a difficult year for Joel, who’d already had to cancel multiple concert dates earlier in the yearafter recovering from surgery. While normal pressure hydrocephalus can sometimes be irreversible, hopefully, with plenty of time and healing, we’ll see Joel in a “New York State of Mind” again very soon.
