Billy Joel opens up on brain disorder: 'I feel fine' but struggles with balance

Yahoo

5 days ago

Nearly two months after revealing his diagnosis with normal pressure hydrocephalus, Billy Joel offered a health update in a July 21 interview.
The 76-year-old music legend appeared on comedian Bill Maher's "Club Random" podcast, where he said he's doing "fine" but acknowledged lingering balance problems.
"My balance sucks," Joel said. "It's like being on a boat."
Normal pressure hydrocephalus, which Joel was diagnosed with in May, is a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the skull and puts pressure on the brain, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It most commonly affects adults over 65 and is often treatable. In some cases, it's reversible.
Joel said he initially blamed his unsteadiness on alcohol, admitting he used to drink "like a fish."
Billy Joel explains his brain condition
"I feel good," he said. "They keep referring to what I have as a brain disorder, so it sounds a lot worse than what I'm feeling."
When Maher asked whether the issue had been resolved, Joel replied, "It's not fixed. It's still being worked on."
On May 23, a statement about his diagnosis was posted to his official social media accounts.
"This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance," the statement read. "Under his doctor's instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period."
Billy Joel has personal and professional South Florida ties
Joel canceled all upcoming concerts, including a sprawling tour originally set to stretch through next year. He was due at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood on Nov. 1.
Joel has long had ties to South Florida, where he's owned multiple homes and spent time offstage enjoying the sunshine.
He's performed regularly in the region, often selling out arenas in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Area residents might even spot him boating or dining around town — he's no stranger to the coastal lifestyle.
In October 2024, Joel sold his ocean-to-lake estate in the small, wealthy town of Manalapan for $42.6 million.
This summer, Joel was set to share the stage with fellow 1970s rock legends Stevie Nicks and Rod Stewart. The two co-headlining concerts, scheduled for July 5 in Pittsburgh and July 18 in the Bronx, would have featured Joel and Stewart performing together, including a rendition of the Faces classic "Stay with Me."
Additionally, four shows with Nicks were planned for August through November in New Jersey, California, Louisiana and Michigan.
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Since his diagnosis, HBO released the first installment of "Billy Joel: And So It Goes" on July 18. The second part due to air on July 25.
Jasmine Fernández is a journalist covering Delray Beach and Boca Raton for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at [e-mail] and follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @jasminefernandz. Help support our work. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Billy Joel documentary: 'I feel fine', despite ongoing brain condition
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