NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Bill Joel canceled all of his scheduled concerts through 2026, saying in a statement Friday that he’s battling a very rare brain disorder that's worsened by performances.
The Long Island–bred singer said he’s been diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH), a condition that happens when cerebrospinal fluid builds up inside the skull and presses on the brain. It impacts about 1 in 100,000 people, usually those over 65 years old. It’s often treatable with surgery.
“This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance,” Joel’s team said in a statement posted to the musician’s social media accounts.
“Under his doctor's instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period,” the statement continued. “Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health. 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.”
In a statement attributed to Joel, he said: “I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding.”
Concert tickets will be refunded to the original payment used for the purchase, according to the statement.
Joel’s now-canceled shows included a July 18 concert with Rod Stewart at Yankees Stadium, an Aug. 8 concert with Stevie Nicks at MetLife Stadium, and an Aug. 21 concert with Sting at Citi Field.
The “Piano Man” singer postponed his 2025 tour in March over a then-unnamed medical condition. The whirlwind tour had followed his decades-long residency at Madison Square Garden, which ended last year.
An announcement at the time said he needed “to recover from recent surgery and to undergo physical therapy under the supervision of his doctors.”
It’s unclear if the surgery mentioned was one used to treat NPH in which a shunt is placed in the brain to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid.
“Joel is expected to make a full recovery,” the March statement said.