Legendary singer-songwriter Billy Joel, 76, has cancelled all of his upcoming concerts following a serious health diagnosis. The announcement was made through his official Instagram account, revealing that Joel is battling a rare brain condition called Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH).
Fans across the United States and the UK were eagerly awaiting his scheduled performances, but the star has now stepped away from the spotlight to focus fully on his health.
What Is Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus?
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, or NPH, is a neurological condition caused by excess cerebrospinal fluid building up in the brain. This can lead to pressure that affects hearing, vision, and balance. The NHS describes it as an uncommon and poorly understood condition, most often seen in people over the age of 60.
In Joel’s case, his condition has reportedly been worsened by recent performances, leading doctors to recommend he stop touring for the time being.
Official Statement: “Health Comes First”
The statement from Joel’s team said:
“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.”
The message ended with a personal note from Joel himself:
“I’m sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding.”
Tour Dates Cancelled Across US and UK
Billy Joel’s tour was scheduled to begin on April 26 in Milwaukee and end on July 3 in Charlotte. Two highly anticipated UK shows in Edinburgh and Liverpool, planned for June, have also been cancelled.
Fans who purchased tickets will automatically receive refunds via their original method of payment.
Recent Health History and Comeback
This is not Joel’s first health-related tour interruption. Earlier this year, he postponed four months of performances following a surgery for a then-unnamed medical condition.
Despite these setbacks, Joel had a remarkable 2024, wrapping up his historic 10-year residency at Madison Square Garden and releasing his first new original song in decades, “Turn the Lights Back On”, in February. The track marked a major moment in his career and was co-written with Freddy Wexler, Arthur Bacon, and Wayne Hector.
Memorable 2024 Performance in Wales
In August 2024, Joel performed his only European show of the year in Cardiff, Wales, where he made headlines not just for his music, but for taking the train to the venue. Photos of him posing with a train ticket inspector went viral.
Great Western Railway (GWR) even joined the fun, tweeting:
“It was a pleasure to take the ‘Piano Man’ @billyjoel Uptown to Cardiff today for his only gig in Europe. Get ready to be rocked Wales!”