BILLY Joel has canceled all of his future shows as he revealed he’s been suffering from a debilitating health condition.
The 76-year-old singer opened up about his concerning battle in an emotional announcement months after he fell over on stage.
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The star shared a statement on his social media explaining that he’d been diagnosed with “normal pressure hydrocephalus.”
“This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance,” the statement read.
He’s had to go through physical therapy, and his doctors urged him to “stop performing while he recovers.”
“Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health,” the announcement said.
“He is grateful for the support from fans during this time and looks forward to the day when he can once again take the stage.”
The Piano Man singer gave a heartfelt apology to fans for having to step away from performing.
“I’m sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding,” he said.
The cancellations came after Billy took a sudden tumble during a concert at the Mohegan Sun resort in Connecticut in February.
He was singing his hit It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me when he lost his footing and fell on his back, leading concerned band members to rush over to help.
But after he was helped to regain his footing, brave Billy kept rocking on and finished his performance.
Watch the shocking moment ‘frail’ music legend, 75, falls over live on stage
Concert-goers at the time said they could tell that he wasn’t his normal self, and described him as looking “frail.”
“At one point, he was using the microphone stand as a cane,” one fan said.
“I was really very concerned about him throughout the concert.
“Before he fell, I said to my friend ‘he’s going to fall’ and then he did.
“The venue gasped when he hit the floor.
What is normal pressure hydrocephalus?
NORMAL pressure hydrocephalus occurs when spinal fluid builds up in the skull and starts pressing on the brain.
The condition can affect brain function, which can lead to a loss of memory, concentration, and motor skills.
Medical experts say that NPH often presents like degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and is usually noticed by loved ones.
And around 30 percent of those suffering from the condition do also have one of those diseases, according to Cleveland Clinic.
However, those who only have NPH can get relief if they have a major surgery.
The surgery involves getting a shunt, which is a device that can drain fluid from the skull affecting the brain.
“He definitely looked thrown off but somehow he managed to finish the show with a final song.”
Despite finishing the show on a high note, the fan said that Billy, “looked frail hobbling across the stage.”
“When I was younger, I was a massive fan of Billy Joel, so this is very concerning,” they said.
In March, the singer announced that he would have to postpone shows due to a “medical condition and surgery recovery,” but planned to reschedule them.
Now, fans should expect to get an automatic refund for all seventeen shows that he was set to play through July 2026.
Rock legends Rod Stewart, Sting, and Stevie Nicks were set to join Billy at some of the shows.
Sting reposted the statement, confirming that their six dates have been called off.
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BILLY’S HEALTH BATTLE
Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a treatable condition that develops when cerebrospinal fluid builds up inside the skull and starts pressing on the brain.
The fluid can disrupt brain function and affect thinking, concentration, memory, and motor skills, according to Cleveland Clinic.
Oftentimes, those suffering from NPH can develop symptoms that match dementia, but the condition can be reversed with surgery.
However, experts warn that around 30 percent of people with NPH also have a degenerative brain condition like Alzheimer’s.
Doctors can implant a device called a shunt, which can drain the fluid and relieve the pressure on the brain.
This is considered a major surgery because the fluid is so close to the brain, but patients can start recovering from the condition quickly if the procedure is successful.
Anyone showing symptoms that match NPH is urged to see a doctor immediately, or the condition could worsen.
