“It’s hard to tell what’s age and what’s a condition,” he said.

Billy Joel reveals he had brain surgery, says doctors compared his concerts to giving himself a concussion

“It’s hard to tell what’s age and what’s a condition,” he said.

By Wesley Stenzel

Wesley Stenzel

Wesley Stenzel is a news writer at **. He began writing for EW in 2022.

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September 9, 2026 4:35 p.m. ET

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Billy Joel in New York City on July 25, 2024. Credit:

Kevin Mazur/Getty

- Billy Joel revealed that he had brain surgery to treat normal pressure hydrocephalus.

- The “Piano Man” singer said that the procedure “actually improved” his symptoms.

- Joel promised that he is “not going anywhere.”

Billy Joel is detailing his recent medical scare.

The “Piano Man” singer shared an update on his health in a new clip broadcast on SiriusXM’s The Billy Joel Channel, following his diagnosis with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) the physical instability that preceded it.

“I noticed that my balance was not good,” Joel said. “I had this sense of being on a boat, like this rocking motion. I wasn’t steady on my feet. I didn’t know why that was and I went to meet with the neurologist, and I was diagnosed with having something called normal pressure hydrocephalus, which they used to call water on the brain.”

Joel said that his doctor recommended treatment because NPH “could get worse,” so his medical team advised that they “drill a hole through your skull” and “stick a shunt inside your brain.”

Billy Joel in New York City on July 25, 2024.

Myrna M. Suarez/Getty

Initially, the “Vienna” singer resisted treatment. “I said, ‘Nah, I think I’ll pass on that,’” he recalled. “I didn’t want to do that.”

NPH can affect memory, movement, thinking, and concentrating via a build-up of fluid on the brain, and can resemble dementia symptoms, according to Cleveland Clinic. However, NPH can be reversible, and Joel said that he changed his mind about undergoing the procedure once he learned that he might be able to partially mitigate his symptoms.

“I read up on it and I realized it can help improve your balance and can help your memory,” Joel said. “You know, I don’t want to lose my marbles. It’s hard to tell what’s age and what’s a condition, so I agreed to do the shunt and I had a surgery, and they implanted a shunt in my brain.”

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Joel said that the procedure has had positive effects on his health. “It actually improved things,” he explained. “My memory got better, my balance got a little better, my ability to function was better.”

However, the whole ordeal made him take a step back from live performances. “I realized, and the doctors told me this, because of my job, which is playing rock and roll music very loud, that it was giving me something like a concussion every time I did a show,” he said. “It was causing damage to my brain nerves and I could be losing more brain cells the more shows I did and I realized that means I shouldn’t be doing this right now. I gotta improve.”

Joel said he’s still doing physical therapy because “they don’t want me to stress too much,” and he’s “doing whatever it is they tell me to do because I don’t want to lose it.”

Joel’s update ended with reassurance. “I know people have heard, ‘Oh, he’s got a brain disorder,’ and I’m okay,” he said. “I just want people to know, don’t worry about me. I’m not going anywhere. I’m here. I’m still here.”

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Joel previously announced his diagnosis in May 2025, as he canceled his slate of upcoming performances. “Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health,” his team said in a statement at the time. “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.”

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