
The Piano Man is taking a break.
Billy Joel, 76, has canceled all tour dates amid a new health diagnosis.
The “Uptown Girl” singer revealed the shocking news via social media on Friday, May 23, announcing he has been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH).
The disorder happens when cerebrospinal fluid builds up inside the skull and presses on the brain, and usually occurs in people over 65, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Joel’s condition has become worse due to his recent concert performances, “leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance,” his lengthy Instagram announcement read.
The doctor has ordered the “We Didn’t Start the Fire” hitmaker to “refrain from performing during this recovery period” as Joel is undergoing specific physical therapy under his medical team’s instructions.
That doesn’t mean Joel is out for good.
The announcement ended on a positive note, with his team telling fans that Joel 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.”
The five-time Grammy winner also released a statement to his fans.
“I’m sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding,” Joel shared.
Those with tickets to any of Joel’s canceled shows, which include dates in New York, New Orleans, Toronto, Santa Clara, Salt Lake City, Washington, D.C. and Liverpool, will get automatically refunded to the original form of payment used to purchase the tickets.
The Post reached out to Joel’s rep for additional comment.
The “New York State of Mind” singer had already postponed several tour dates in March due to a “medical condition.
“The current tour will be postponed for four months to allow him to recover from recent surgery and to undergo physical therapy under the supervision of his doctors,” a statement from his team on March 11 read.
At the time, the music man said that “while I regret postponing any shows, my health must come first.”
He added, “I look forward to getting back on stage and sharing the joy of live music with our amazing fans. Thank you for your understanding.”
Joel has had a rough year.
In February, the star fell during his concert in Connecticut, and the accident was caught on video by a fan.
Joel appeared to stumble while on the stage before falling backward and landing on his side.
Despite the blunder, he recovered and continued on with the show.
Joel’s wife, Alexis Roderick Joel, has also struggled with her health in recent months and spoke out about suffering from endometriosis earlier this month.
The condition, in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, caused Alexis chronic pain, which she was forced to deal with while taking care of their two young children while Joel was on tour.
The pair, who married in 2015, share daughters Della, 9, and Remy, 7.
Alexis opened up to Fox News Digital about how Joel supported her as she struggled to find answers.
“He’s extremely supportive,” she shared. “So picking up where I leave off and covering my deficits during that time was huge. We’re just always researching — he’ll email me articles like ‘Did you know that this happens with endometriosis?’
“Never in a million years would I think that he would be sending me that kind of stuff, but when you’re watching someone suffer, you pick up. You have to. It’s what we do, we’re a family.”
Besides Alexis, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer has been married to Elizabeth Weber, Katie Lee, and his most famous ex-wife, Christie Brinkley.
Joel and the supermodel were married from 1985 to 1994, and they have one daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, 29.
Brinkley discusses hot topics of their marriage in her new memoir, “Uptown Girl,” including those affair rumors. She also blamed his drinking for the end of their relationship.
Just last year, Joel ended his record-breaking 10-year residency at Madison Square Garden.
He played his last show in July 2024, marking his 150th concert at the legendary venue.
Source link
#Billy #Joel #reveals #tragic #diagnosis #cancels #tour #dates #year
