Billy Joel Opens Up on Living with Hydrocephalus
Billy Joel has offered fans a detailed snapshot of his condition two months after canceling his tour due to normal pressure hydrocephalus.
I’m Jordan Collins, and I’m here to lay it all out for you—because you probably need my guidance—on exactly what the Piano Man is facing right now.
Back in May, the 76-year-old music legend stunned audiences when he called off the remaining dates of his tour after medical professionals diagnosed him with normal pressure hydrocephalus, a brain disorder in which fluid accumulation inside the skull can affect balance, hearing, and vision. In an Instagram press release dated May 23, he expressed regret for disappointing fans and promised he looked forward to the moment he could return to the stage.
Joel resurfaced publicly on July 21 on Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast to deliver his first health update. “It’s not fixed,” he admitted to Maher, acknowledging that treatment is ongoing. Joel’s honesty in a high-profile interview has reassured many who were concerned about his well-being.
During the conversation, he described daily life as feeling “like being on a boat” because of persistent balance issues. The Grammy winner also confessed he wondered if years of enjoying a drink or two might have contributed. “I used to like a fish,” he joked, illustrating his trademark self-deprecating wit while making light of a serious condition.
Despite the label of a “brain disorder” sounding ominous, Joel emphasized that he feels quite good most days. He has been working with a physical therapist and following a neurologist’s plan to address fluid buildup, but full recovery is still a work in progress.
Fans and friends have rallied around the musician since news of his diagnosis broke. His first wife, Elizabeth Weber, spoke to E! News in June, expressing her hopes for Joel’s complete restoration to good health. “I just want him to be restored so he can enjoy his life with his wife and children,” she said, praising his lifelong work ethic during their years together.
Joel, who shares daughter Alexa Ray, 39, with ex Christie Brinkley and daughters Della Rose, 9, and Remy, 7, with wife Alexis Roderick, has remained upbeat in private messages to loved ones. His team has indicated that he is following every medical recommendation and is optimistic about resuming public performances when doctors give the green light.
So there you have it: the facts on Billy Joel’s health journey, served straight up with no sugarcoating. Now you’re all caught up.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! News, Club Random Podcast
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
