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Billy Joel shares encouraging update after brain disorder diagnosis
Billy Joel shares encouraging update after brain disorder diagnosis

Los Angeles Times

time2 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Los Angeles Times

Billy Joel shares encouraging update after brain disorder diagnosis

Billy Joel reassured fans about his health on Monday. The 76-year-old musician had previously canceled all of his scheduled concerts after announcing in May that he was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). NPH occurs when excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain's ventricles, with patients experiencing cognitive decline, difficulty walking and urinary incontinence, according to the Alzheimer's Assn. Joel's recent concert performances worsened his symptoms, leading to hearing, vision and balance problems, he shared in a May 23 statement. While on Bill Maher's podcast, 'Club Random,' the 'Piano Man' crooner said he often feels like he's on a boat, but otherwise, he's doing just fine. 'I feel good,' Joel said, seated at a piano. 'They keep referring to what I have as a brain disorder so it sounds a lot worse than what I'm feeling.' Joel noted that the condition is idiopathic, meaning no one knows the cause. 'I thought it must be from drinking,' he said, adding that he doesn't drink anymore. 'I used to, like a fish.' Joel finished his decade-long residency at Madison Square Garden in July 2024 after 104 monthly shows at the venue. His now-canceled tour included dates across the U.S. and performances with Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart and Sting. The first installment of Joel's documentary, 'Billy Joel: And So It Goes,' premiered Friday on HBO. The two-part series takes a deep dive into the pianist's journey from a bullied kid in Long Island to a legendary hitmaker, and features appearances from Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Pink and Sting. Part 1 'is notable in how it reframes the narrative around his relationship with his former wife and manager Elizabeth Weber, explaining how she was instrumental in guiding his career and helping him become a superstar — and how songs like 'Big Shot' and 'Stiletto' were inspired by the rocky times in their marriage,' wrote Times television editor Maira Garcia. 'It's a compelling and nuanced portrait of an imperfect person who created timeless music and whose influence continues to reverberate.' Part 2 of 'And So It Goes' premieres Friday on HBO and HBO Max.

Billy Joel Gets Candid In ‘And So It Goes' Trailer: ‘Music Saved My Life'
Billy Joel Gets Candid In ‘And So It Goes' Trailer: ‘Music Saved My Life'

News18

time12-07-2025

  • Entertainment
  • News18

Billy Joel Gets Candid In ‘And So It Goes' Trailer: ‘Music Saved My Life'

Last Updated: The trailer features archival footage of Billy Joel performing across different stages of his decades-long career, interwoven with family photographs and personal home videos. Billy Joel, fondly known as the Piano Man, has been more than just a chart-topping artist. Throughout his career, Billy Joel has masterfully woven stories of love and loss into timeless melodies. Now, the upcoming HBO documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, promises to delve deeper, offering an intimate portrait of the man behind the music. In the trailer, Billy Joel is seen reflecting candidly on his journey—his life, his career, and the music that defined generations. 'Sometimes it's alien to me—this guy, Billy Joel. I don't know who that is, or what that is," says the 76-year-old musician in the trailer, his voice playing over a montage of performances from across his career. 'I'm reminded of it when I go walking on the street. Oh, right, I'm that guy," he adds. The documentary offers a deeper, more personal exploration of Billy Joel's life and career. It gives fans a chance to hear him speak candidly about his childhood, the formative experiences that shaped his music and the early challenges he faced breaking into the industry. It also sheds light on his personal relationships and marriages, painting a fuller picture of the man behind the music. The trailer is rich with nostalgia, featuring archival footage of Billy performing across the decades, interspersed with family photos and home videos. It's set to the soundtrack of some of his most iconic hits, including Big Shot, Uptown Girl, My Life and Vienna. Adding to the documentary's emotional weight are appearances by legendary artists such as Paul McCartney, Pink and Bruce Springsteen. In one standout moment from the trailer, Springsteen pays a tribute to Joel, saying, 'Billy's melodies are better than mine." Beyond celebrating Billy Joel's career, the documentary also confronts some of the darkest chapters of his life. It revisits the near-fatal motorcycle crash he survived in 1982, along with his two suicide attempts. 'I learnt that life is a fight. I think music saved my life. It gave me a reason to live," he shares in the trailer. He reflects on how every hardship, every moment of struggle, has ultimately been channelled into his music. Billy Joel: And So It Goes had its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival in New York City on June 4, 2025. The event, however, took place without the legendary musician in attendance, as Billy later revealed he had been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus. The two-part documentary is scheduled to debut on HBO Max, with the first instalment airing on Friday, July 18, followed by the second part on July 25. First Published: July 12, 2025, 18:19 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Old Westbury College now has women's flag football team
Old Westbury College now has women's flag football team

New York Post

time27-06-2025

  • Sport
  • New York Post

Old Westbury College now has women's flag football team

Flag football has touched down at Old Westbury College. The Nassau County school is gearing up for its inaugural season of the women's sport, which first will be played at the club level in 2026 before transitioning to varsity the following year, starting with a grassroots campaign to recruit its first team. Advertisement 'Right now, we're relying on any accepted students who are attending Old Westbury who may have played in the past to be part of our team,' director of athletics Lenore Walsh told The Post. Walsh added that the Panthers' new team, which was announced in April and will compete in the Skyline Conference, is already gaining significant traction on campus. 'There were a lot of people who were hearing it for the first time in our accepted students' day, and they were really excited,' she said of the program that is still to name a head coach. Advertisement Nevertheless, when they fill that void, there will be numerous recruiting trips, as the game has boomed in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. 'It seems to be very popular here on Long Island amongst the high schools and middle schools,' Walsh said — adding that programs such as Lindenhurst, Plainview-Old Bethpage, and Port Washington are on the watch list. 3 Old Westbury College is now going to have a women's flag football team. Old Westbury College Athletics The team's first tryouts will take place in the fall, with another wave scheduled to begin in the spring semester as well. Advertisement Walsh stressed that the beauty of playing locally is walk-on opportunities also will be abundant. 'You don't necessarily need to be a recruited student-athlete … and sometimes, you never know, you can get a diamond-in-the-rough player,' Walsh said. 3 Plainview-Old Bethpage players run a drill during practice this past April. Heather Khalifa for New York Post Advertisement Draft this into your calendar. The Islanders will host a draft party at UBS Arena on Friday night, as the Nassau hockey team will be on the clock for the first pick. New general manager Mathieu Darche will speak to fans at 5:30 p.m. as several Isles, including Ryan Pulock and Casey Cizikas, will be perusing the concourse — along with team alums such as John Tonelli, Butch Goring, Steve Webb, Shawn Bates and Benoit Hogue. On-air host Shannon Hogan and actor Kevin Connolly, director of the Islanders documentary 'Big Shot,' also will be in attendance at the party — which will have a Ferris wheel, human jousting and a giant slide. 3 Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche NHLI via Getty Images Season ticket holders pay nothing, and general admission is $5, with proceeds benefiting the Islanders Children's Foundation. Long Island's annual 'Run Around the Lake,' in honor of slain Navy SEAL Michael Murphy, is a go for Saturday morning. The event, held at Lake Ronkonkoma where the 'Lone Survivor' hero was a lifeguard before enlisting, begins with a 7 a.m. half-marathon, followed by an 8:30 a.m. fun run and a 9 a.m. 4-mile event. Advertisement Registration fees vary. Parking can be found at Easton Street & Railroad Avenue in Ronkonkoma.

Billy Joel ‘has no plans to retire despite ongoing health battles'
Billy Joel ‘has no plans to retire despite ongoing health battles'

Perth Now

time28-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Perth Now

Billy Joel ‘has no plans to retire despite ongoing health battles'

Billy Joel is said to have no plans to retire despite his ongoing health battles. The 76-year-old singer has paused live performances following a diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus, but those close to him say he is determined to return to the stage after the five-time Grammy winner, whose hits include 'Piano Man' and 'Big Shot', announced on 23 May that he would be cancelling all remaining concert dates due to the condition, which causes a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. Symptoms can also include issues with hearing, vision and balance but despite the setback, sources insist Billy is focused on recovery and remains committed to performing. 'He is happiest while performing,' a music industry insider told People. They added: 'Music is, has been and will always be his life. He's not ready to retire.' A second source told the outlet: 'Billy is not retiring and hopes to be able to resume performing as his recovery progresses.' The singer, who is receiving treatment and undergoing physical therapy, confirmed the news in a statement shared via Instagram. 'I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding,' he said. Billy added: 'I'm thankful for the excellent care I'm receiving and fully committed to prioritising my health. I'm grateful for the support from fans during this time and look forward to the day when I can once again take the stage.' The crooner's wife, 42-year-old Alexis Roderick, echoed the sentiment in a post on 26 May, saying online: 'Bill is beloved by so many, and to us, he is a father and husband who is at the centre of our world.' She also shared a photograph of the couple with their daughters Della, eight, and Remy, six. Alexis added: 'We are hopeful for his recovery. We look forward to seeing you all in the future.' Billy's daughter Alexa Ray Joel, 38, also voiced her support in an Instagram post shared on 24 May, captioning a painting of the two: 'We love you and we got you, Pop!' In February, Billy stumbled and fell backwards during a show at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut after spinning a microphone stand. He quickly recovered and completed the set, but in March he postponed all shows through June, citing a medical condition requiring physical therapy. In a statement at the time, he said: 'While I regret postponing any shows, my health must come first. I look forward to getting back on stage and sharing the joy of live music with our amazing fans.' Billy had been scheduled to perform in cities including New York, Liverpool, New Orleans and Washington, D.C., with dates running through 2026.

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