The Piano Man Speaks Out After Health Scare — ‘I Feel Good,’ Says Billy Joel
via Danny - Billy Joel Archivist / YouTube
Billy Joel has opened up about his health following a diagnosis of a rare brain condition that forced him to cancel his upcoming tour dates. Speaking on a recent episode of Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast, the legendary musician sought to reassure fans about his well-being.
“I feel good,” Joel said, addressing concerns about the disorder. “They keep referring to what I have as a brain disorder, so it sounds a lot worse than what I’m feeling.”
In May, Joel revealed he had been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus, a condition characterized by an accumulation of excess cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. Doctors warned that continuing to perform could worsen symptoms such as hearing loss, vision problems, and balance issues—factors that led Joel to cancel all scheduled concerts.
“I’m sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience and thank you for understanding,” Joel had stated at the time.
Initial Misconceptions and Symptoms
Joel also discussed the confusion around the condition and his early beliefs about its cause. “It used to be called water on the brain. Now it’s called hydrocephalus — normal pressure hydrocephalus,” he explained. “They don’t really know what causes it. I thought it must be from drinking,” Joel added, referencing his past heavy alcohol consumption, though he has since quit.
The Alzheimer’s Association notes that normal pressure hydrocephalus is frequently mistaken for diseases like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, with less than 20% of cases being correctly diagnosed.
Current Status and Documentary Promotion
While Joel acknowledged that the condition is “not fixed” and remains under treatment, he emphasized he feels “fine,” despite ongoing balance difficulties, which he described as feeling “like being on a boat.”
Alongside this health update, Joel is promoting his new HBO documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes. The first part of the two-part film premiered recently, offering fans an intimate look at the icon’s life and career.
