Billy Joel has cancelled his upcoming concerts, revealing that he’s dealing with a brain disorder.
On Friday, the Piano Man singer, 76, announced he has recently been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and is currently undergoing treatment.
A statement, shared to Joel’s social media accounts, said the condition has been “exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance.”
“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 said. “Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health.”
“I’m sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding,” Joel said.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, NPH is the result of excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulating in the brain’s ventricles, leading to cognitive issues, difficulty walking and loss of bladder control. It is often misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease.
The disorder primarily affects people in their 60s and 70s. Its symptoms resemble those of dementia and can sometimes be reversible.
Joel was in the midst of a U.S. tour, accompanied by Sting, Stevie Nicks and Rod Stewart. He was scheduled to perform in Toronto next March, but the show is now cancelled.
Ticketholders will automatically be refunded, the singer’s statement says.
The tour had been due to start in February but that was rescheduled to July due to an undisclosed medical condition. Now, 17 dates have been cancelled in the U.S., Canada and England, including eight rescheduled shows.
Joel ended his record-breaking monthly Madison Square Garden residency – which had begun in 2014 – last year.