U.S. singer-songwriter and pianist Billy Joel said on Friday he is cancelling all his scheduled concerts after he was recently diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus, a brain disorder.
The 76-year-old singer is undergoing physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing while he recovers, according to a statement on social media.
“I’m sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding,” Joel said.
Joel’s condition was exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance, according to the statement.
Fluid build-up
The condition, which is more likely in people over the age of 65, occurs when fluid builds up inside the skull and presses on the brain, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Its symptoms resemble those of dementia and can sometimes be reversible.
The condition “has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance.
“Under his doctor’s instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period.”
The tour, which had stops in the United States, Canada and England, had been due to start in February, but that was rescheduled to July due to an undisclosed medical condition.
Joel, known for hits like “Piano Man” and “Uptown Girl,” ended his record-breaking monthly Madison Square Garden residency, which began in 2014, last year.
What is Joel’s condition?
Hydrocephalus is a condition “that causes a build-up of fluid in the brain. The excess fluid affects the brain and how it functions,” according to the NHS Inform website.
NPH can impact how sufferers walk, their urinary system and mental abilities, the site said.
The Cleveland Clinic described it as “a brain disorder that can affect brain-related abilities, including thinking and concentrating, memory, movement and more”.
