Billy Joel‘s decades-long relationship with stay performances stands out as the very factor protecting him from the stage.
The 77-year-old music legend lately revealed that he underwent mind surgical procedure after being recognized with regular stress hydrocephalus. The situation has already compelled him to cancel performances and likewise give up his ardour.
Billy Joel’s staff canceled 17 scheduled concert events throughout North America and England. The rock star additionally owned collections together with Harley-Davidson, Ducati, Moto Guzzi, Indian, BMW, and Triumph bikes, which have been stated to be auctioned in 2025.
Joel’s well being battle started publicly in 2025 after he was recognized with regular stress hydrocephalus, or NPH. The uncommon neurological situation includes cerebrospinal fluid increase contained in the cranium and urgent towards the mind. One in every of Joel’s most troublesome signs has been a continuing downside with steadiness.
He described the feeling as feeling like he was strolling on a ship. “I had this sense of being on a ship, like this rocking movement. I wasn’t regular on my ft,” the 77-year-old rocker stated. Medical doctors finally advisable surgical procedure after his signs continued affecting his each day functioning.
Joel initially rejected the thought however later researched the situation earlier than agreeing to the process. The surgical procedure concerned putting a shunt to empty the surplus fluid and relieve stress on his mind. He has since stated the process improved his reminiscence, steadiness, and total capability to perform.
Medical doctors warned that persevering with his loud rock performances may create injury just like repeated concussions and probably hurt mind nerves. On the Wednesday episode of SiriusXM’s The Billy Joel Channel, Joel opened up about his restoration and made one factor clear: “I’m not going wherever. I’m right here. I’m nonetheless right here.”
The ‘Piano Man’ Hitmaker Had To Give Up A 15-12 months Ardour
Joel’s well being disaster has additionally affected a ardour he spent years constructing away from music. His bike store, twentieth Century Cycles, opened in Oyster Bay in 2010 and have become a vacation spot for bike fans and vacationers. The house mirrored Joel’s fascination with bikes from the Nineteen Thirties by way of the Nineteen Sixties.
“I needed to gather a complete bunch of these sorts of bikes, put ’em in a single place,” Joel defined in a 2013 interview. He needed guests to see an period of bikes that was turning into “a misplaced aesthetic.” The store additionally allowed bike house owners to restore, restore, and customise their bikes.
Its assortment included Harley-Davidson, Ducati, Moto Guzzi, Indian, BMW, and Triumph bikes. One of many standout items was a uncommon 1952 Vincent Rapide, which may probably promote for tens of hundreds at public sale.
The store’s significance to the neighborhood was additional acknowledged when a part of its Oyster Bay road was renamed after twentieth Century Cycles in 2023.
Joel additionally used his bike ardour for charitable causes earlier than his well being deteriorated. He supported 9/11 first responders and breast most cancers analysis by way of his connection to the bike neighborhood.
As reported by The Blast, the Oyster Bay store was set to shut towards the top of September 2025, with Joel’s assortment anticipated to be auctioned later that yr.
Billy Joel’s Profession Has Grow to be A Well being Threat
The choice to step away from performing got here after Joel’s situation started affecting his listening to, imaginative and prescient, and steadiness. His last efficiency was on February 22 at Mohegan Solar Enviornment in Uncasville, Connecticut. His staff subsequently canceled 17 scheduled concert events throughout North America and England.
The announcement got here on Could 23, after his medical doctors suggested him to keep away from rigorous performances throughout his restoration. He was prescribed particular bodily remedy to assist him regain his energy and stability. Performing had change into more and more troublesome as his signs worsened.
The “Vienna” singer’s bike accident historical past additionally exhibits how lengthy bodily dangers have adopted him. In 1982, a automotive ran a purple mild and struck his bike, leaving him with a dislocated wrist and a badly injured thumb. Years later, his medical doctors would establish a wholly totally different hazard related to a different longtime ardour: performing stay.
The rock star was closing his bike store whereas specializing in his well being and stepping away from performing. The outlet additionally detailed how his dysfunction had affected his listening to, imaginative and prescient, and steadiness. After 15 years, one other main a part of Joel’s life was due to this fact coming to an finish alongside his touring profession, as shared by The Blast.
The Legendary Singer Is Going through The Price Of Many years Onstage
Joel has beforehand been candid about simply how badly the steadiness issues affected him. Throughout an look on Invoice Maher’s “Membership Random” podcast, he bluntly described his steadiness as his largest problem. “My steadiness sucks,” he stated whereas explaining the unusual sensation of feeling as if he was strolling on a ship.
Medical doctors haven’t decided what precipitated his NPH. Joel even questioned whether or not his previous ingesting may have performed a job, joking that he “used to drink like a fish.” He has since stated he’s sober whereas concentrating on his restoration.
His well being struggles have additionally reopened conversations a couple of troublesome interval in his previous. Within the HBO documentary “Billy Joel: And So It Goes,” Joel pushed again towards long-running rumors that alcohol precipitated his early-2000s automotive crashes. “I by no means had a DUI,” he stated, whereas angrily rejecting the repeated claims.
The documentary explored Joel’s melancholy, substance use, and sophisticated relationship with fame. It additionally examined his previous suicide makes an attempt, household historical past, and the emotional struggles behind his public life. Interviews with daughter Alexa Ray, sister Judy, and longtime stage designer Steve Cohen added additional perspective to that story.
Billy Joel Has Sturdy Household Help
Joel’s first spouse, Weber, has remained supportive whereas sustaining a respectful distance from Joel and his present household. The previous couple married in 1973 earlier than divorcing in 1982 after practically a decade collectively. Weber and Joel’s relationship started whereas she was married to his greatest buddy and bandmate, Jon Small.
Their affair contributed to the breakup of the band and a devastating interval that included Joel threatening suicide twice. Weber later grew to become related to songs together with “The Stranger,” “She’s At all times a Girl,” and “Piano Man.” Regardless of their difficult historical past, Weber stated she will contact Joel every time mandatory.
Their son Sean stays essential to Joel, whereas their grandchildren have additionally stored him firm throughout his restoration. Weber even recalled that her granddaughter Ella taught Joel what TikTok was.
Joel’s household has continued publicly supporting him all through the well being disaster. Christie Brinkley despatched him love and wished him a full and speedy restoration, whereas spouse Alexis Roderick described him as the middle of their world.
The Blast reported that Roderick and Joel married in a shock ceremony at his Lengthy Island property in July 2015, with their daughter Della Rose born the next month.
Billy Joel’s largest problem might now be accepting that the stage he spent a long time conquering can not come earlier than his well being.
