Billy Joel cancels tour after rare brain condition diagnosis

Billy Joel has cancelled all forthcoming tour dates after being identified with a uncommon mind situation.

The 76-year-old singer-songwriter – recognized for traditional hits like Piano Man, Uptown Lady and We Did not Begin the Fireplace – is receiving “excellent care” and is “fully committed to prioritising his health”, an announcement stated.

He has Regular Strain Hydrocephalus (NPH), which is attributable to a build-up of fluid within the mind and causes issues together with his listening to, imaginative and prescient and steadiness.

After being instructed by medical doctors to cease performing reside, he has known as off 17 dates in 2025 and 2026, together with stadium exhibits at Murrayfield in Edinburgh and Anfield in Liverpool subsequent summer time.

“I’m sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding,” he stated.

An announcement issued on his behalf stated Joel’s situation “has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance”.

It continued: “Under his doctor’s instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period.

“Billy is grateful for the superb care he’s receiving and is absolutely dedicated to prioritising his well being.

“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.”

NPH is described by the NHS as an unusual and poorly understood situation that the majority usually impacts folks over the age of 60.

In addition to the 2 UK dates, he had been attributable to carry out within the US and Canada between this July and July 2026.

He had beforehand postponed exhibits in March due to a “medical condition”, which was not specified on the time, “to allow him to recover from recent surgery and to undergo physical therapy”.

Joel has recurrently been on tour lately, and ended a record-breaking decade-long month-to-month residency at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York final 12 months.

He has been nominated for 23 Grammy Awards, successful 5 instances, and was inducted into the Rock And Roll Corridor Of Fame in 1999.