HEALTH CONCERNS

Billy Joel Cancels Remaining Tour Dates After Brain Disorder Diagnosis

The iconic musician said touring has worsened the symptoms of his recently diagnosed brain disorder.

Billy Joel has pressed pause on his tour. The “Piano Man” singer, 76, announced on Instagram this morning that he’d cancelled all upcoming tour dates after being diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). Joel said the condition, a somewhat uncommon brain disorder in which excess cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the ventricles, had been “exacerbated by recent concert performances.” While NPH can sometimes cause dementia-like symptoms, Joel’s statement said he specifically struggled with his hearing, vision, and balance. The diagnosis comes amid months of speculation that the singer was struggling with his health, spurred by a Feb. 2025 video in which Joel appeared to stumble and fall during a performance in Connecticut. In March, Joel announced he would postpone all tour dates through July to receive physical therapy for a “medical condition.” Now, Joel’s team says he is undergoing “specific physical therapy” and has been “advised to refrain from performing during his recovery period.” The 17 cancelled shows would have taken place between July 2025 and July 2026. In today’s announcement, Joel’s team wrote that 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.”