Brain Disorder Forces Billy Joel to Cancel All Shows
On May 23, 2025, Billy Joel revealed he has been diagnosed with NPH and must stop all his concerts planned through 2026. He updated his social media pages by telling fans he feels bad about missing them but will focus on his recovery. After months of people wondering about Joel’s health, the diagnosis was made after he fell onstage in February 2025 and cancelled a number of his planned concerts. We examine what NPH means, its effects and the outlook for Joel.
Understanding Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH)
Baroreceptor disease is a condition of the nervous system that results from an excessive amount of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain’s ventricles. NPH is challenging to spot since it shares symptoms with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s and the pressure is often normal during a spinal tap. The average age for NPH is 70 and according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, only 0.2% of people aged 70 to 80 receive a diagnosis of the disease. Because he is over age 75, Joel belongs to a group at high risk.
Epilepsy may be primary, occurring for unknown reasons or secondary, brought on by brain infections, head trauma, surgery or tumors. It’s not known if Joel’s February accident directly caused the condition, but watching his recent concerts seems to have made his symptoms worse.
Symptoms of NPH and Joel’s Experience
The three main symptoms of NPH are trouble walking, mental function lowering and being unable to control urination. These symptoms are likely to show in varying ways, but most often, they include:
- Walking Difficulties: Some individuals observe that their feet don’t “unlock” from the ground, so they walk in a shuffling or unbalanced way. We saw Joel knock himself over during a performance in February and still have balance issues.
- Cognitive Decline: Conditions such as memory loss and confusion can form and these are akin to dementia. Some cases of NPH are thought to be reversible and early detection usually leads to better results.
- Urinary Incontinence: Aging can make people forget about this problem, but Urinary Incontinence is usually a noticeable symptom linked to NPH.
His team observed that recent concerts have made his health issues worse, affecting his ears, eyes and balance. Performing live, singing his greatest hits and playing the piano constantly made his health symptoms worse.
Diagnosis and Treatment
To diagnose NPH, physicians do physical and neurological exams, examine an MRI or CT scan for bigger ventricles and test the amount of CSF with a lumbar puncture. Joel’s condition was officially confirmed recently, even if the exact timing is still unknown.
The usual treatment for NPH is physical therapy to help with balance and movement, as is currently the case with Joel. At times, doctors will place a shunt to help drain extra fluid from the brain which can help relieve the symptoms, but it doesn’t help for everyone. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, being diagnosed and treated early greatly helps people recover. While Joel’s team hasn’t announced a decision about surgery, his attention on physical therapy means they are choosing a less invasive option for now.
Impact on Joel’s Career and Fan Response
Making tour dates with Sting, Stevie Nicks and Rod Stewart, his 17 concerts set for the U.S. and U.K. were unfortunate to be postponed, stopping him in his 50 years-long musical career. Shows planned in New York, New Orleans, Toronto and at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool have regrettably been canceled. Fans who got tickets through Joel’s website will see their tickets refunded to the payment card they used, as noted on his site.
Many fans and famous people have demonstrated their support after JoJo canceled his tour. Actor Jack Quaid and co-star Erin Moriarty supported him on Instagram, where Moriarty said, “All the best to you, Billy.” Davey Johnstone, who plays guitar for Elton John, said, “Love to you Billy, hoping you recover fully.” Despite the sadness visible in those posts, many fans also wish Joel a fast recovery, with one thanking him for his upbeat shows and good wishes.
Looking Ahead
Billy Joel shares, “I’m truly sorry if we upset our viewers and thank you for understanding.” His group of advisors said he appreciates the care he is getting and is committed to focusing on his health, hoping he can return to performing. The fact that NPH can be managed effectively early on gives people with the condition some cause for hope. But it is still unclear whether Joel will be able to perform at the same level, due to the hard work involved in touring.
Because of Billy Joel’s diagnosis, it’s clear how health concerns can be increased by constantly performing in public. With “Piano Man” recovering, fans all over the world are sending him their support and looking forward to when he can play again.
