Billy Joel Shares NPH Diagnosis, Cancels Upcoming Concerts
on May 23, 2025
Doctors Have Advised Billy Joel To “Refrain From Performing”
Billy Joel has announced on social media that he is canceling all of his scheduled concerts “following a recent diagnosis of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH).”
The announcement on his Instagram account, shared on Friday, May 23, added, “This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance.”
This news comes just weeks after his 76th birthday, on May 9.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, “NPH occurs if the normal flow of [cerebrospinal fluid] throughout the brain and spinal cord is blocked in some way … When excess CSF fluid builds up in the ventricles, they enlarge and press against nearby brain tissue. This extra fluid and pressure can lead to brain damage.”
Following instruction from his doctor, the announcement stated, “Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period.”
Noting that Billy is “thankful for the excellent care he is receiving” and that he is “fully committed to prioritizing his health,” the announcement added that Billy is “grateful for the support from fans” and that he “looks forward to the day when he can once again take the stage.”
The announcement ended with a statement from Billy, who said:
“I’m sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding.”
Cancelled Shows
At the time of this announcement, Billy was continuing his Two Icons, One Night concert series.
These concerts saw Billy headline with the likes of Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks and Sting.
This year, several concerts had been rescheduled from January through May, but concert dates through 2026 have now been cancelled.
Famously, Billy has not released a new rock record since River of Dreams (1993), and has not released a new album since his classical album, Fantasies & Delusions (2001).
In 2024, Billy took to the stage of the Grammy Awards to perform his first new song since 2007, titled “Turn the Lights Back On.”
Despite not recording new music over much of the past three decades, the “Piano Man” singer has been routinely on tour since the start of his career in the 1970s, with highlights including a series of tours with Elton John.
One particularly unique performance occurred in 2008 on the occasion of the closing of the New York Mets ballpark, Shea Stadium. There, Billy was joined by country star Garth Brooks, who had covered Billy’s 1989 song “Shameless” on his own 1991 album Ropin’ the Wind.
Revisit their performance of “Shameless” here:
Related: Garth Brooks Joins Billy Joel For 2008 Live Performance Of ‘Shameless’ At Shea Stadium
