Billy Joel Cancels 17 Concerts After Being Diagnosed With Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Topline

Singer and songwriter Billy Joel canceled over a dozen scheduled shows Friday after being diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus, a brain condition that impacts hearing, vision and balance.

Billy Joel performs at Tokyo Dome on January 24, 2024 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty … More Images for Maritime Music)

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Key Facts

Joel apologized for the cancellations in an Instagram post that noted he is undergoing “specific physical therapy” after being advised to refrain from further performances.

A total of 17 shows were canceled, impacting scheduled performances this year and in 2026 across the U.S.

Fans who had tickets to the show will receive automatic refunds, according to the post, which said Joel “looks forward to the day when he can once again take the stage.”

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What Is Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus?

A condition where excess cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain. Under the condition, the pressure from the fluid gradually builds up, creating an increase in pressure, though it remains in the normal range of cerebrospinal fluid, hence the name, normal pressure hydrocephalus, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

What Are Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Symptoms?

The brain condition causes symptoms such as difficulty walking, thinking problems and bladder control issues. The cognitive problems can impair decision-making, reduce concentration and cause personality changes, while walking difficulties have been likened to the way a person walks on a boat, with their body bent forward and legs held wide apart, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

How Common Is Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus?

Relatively uncommon, according to the Cleveland Clinic, and usually affects the elderly. Normal pressure hydrocephalus affects about 8.4 million people over the age of 80 worldwide.

How Is Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Treated?

While there is no cure for normal pressure hydrocephalus, the condition can be treated with an implant surgery that helps with the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and provides relief from symptoms, while physical therapy can help maintain strength and balance following surgery.

Key Background

The singer’s decision to cancel his shows comes a few months after he postponed his tour following surgery for an unnamed medical condition. Joel, 76, has performed live for over 50 years and has won six Grammy awards in addition to being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Despite his age, Joel said last summer he planned to keep playing music live, telling Today, “What else am I going to do? Stop doing shows and sit around, and watch TV, and turn into a vegetable? No. I don’t want to do that.” Joel made $52 million in 2019 from touring, according to Forbes estimates, despite not releasing new music since the early 1990s. The singer earned $266 million from his decade-long residency at Madison Square Garden that ended last year.