NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Pop great Billy Joel canceled a series of global tour dates after being diagnosed with a brain condition that worsened because of recent performances, he announced Friday.
“Billy Joel has announced that he will be cancelling all scheduled concerts following a recent diagnosis of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH),” read a statement on the Piano Man’s website.
The condition arises if cerebrospinal fluid cannot properly flow throughout the brain and spinal cord, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. The excess fluid and pressure can cause brain damage.
The institution said on its website that NPH is rare, but can cause cognitive impairment including memory problems as well as trouble walking.
Joel’s statement said “this condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance.”
Prompt treatment can alleviate the condition if diagnosed early.
Joel’s scrapped dates include several in Britain, as well as a packed schedule crisscrossing the United States from July 2025 up until July 2026 when he was due to round off his ambitious string of dates in Charlotte, North Carolina.