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Billy Joel <\/a>has shared a new update on his health, including the revelation that he underwent brain surgery.<\/p>\n It was May 2025 when Joel went public with the news he\u2019d been diagnosed with a brain disorder <\/a>called normal pressure hydrocephalus. He immediately canceled all of his tour plans at the time so that he could focus on his health.<\/p>\n In a new clip uploaded from his Sirius XM channel<\/a>, Joel gave an update on his diagnosis and recovery.<\/p>\n \u201cI noticed that my balance was not good,\u201d the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer recalled. \u201cI 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. Nobody’s really sure what causes it, but they’re able to diagnose it.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE: Top 20 Billy Joel Songs<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Doctors explained to Joel that the condition \u201ccould get worse,\u201d so they recommended a procedure to implant a shunt in his brain.<\/p>\n \u201cI said, \u2018Well, what does that entail?\u2019\u201d he remembered asking. \u201cWell, we drill a hole through your skull and we stick a shunt inside your brain,” the doctor replied. \u201cI said, \u2018Nah, I think I’ll pass on that.\u2019 I didn’t want to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n After initially rejecting the idea, Joel decided to educate himself on the procedure.<\/p>\n \u201cI read up on it and I realized it can help improve your balance and can help your memory,\u201d he explained. \u201cI 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 and it actually improved things. My memory got better, my balance got a little better, my ability to function was better.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI realized, and the doctors told me [to get the surgery], 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,\u201d Joel continued. \u201cIt was causing damage to my brain nerves and I could be losing more brain cells the more I played the more shows I did. And I realized that means I shouldn’t be doing this right now. I gotta improve.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE: The Best Song From Every Billy Joel Album<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Joel has only given one performance since announcing his condition \u2013 a surprise two-song guest appearance<\/a> with a Billy Joel tribute band in January. He remains focused on his recovery, regardless of how long the process takes.<\/p>\n \u201cThey don’t want me to stress too much. So, I’m doing physical therapy. I’m doing whatever it is they tell me to do because I don’t want to lose it,\u201d he remarked. \u201cI know people have heard, \u2018Oh, he’s got a brain disorder.\u2019 And I’m okay. I just want people to know, don’t worry about me. I’m not going anywhere. I’m here. I’m still here.\u201d<\/p>\n From ‘Cold Spring Harbor’ to ‘River of Dreams,’ we run through the Piano Man’s LPs from worst to best.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Matt Springer<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBilly Joel Says Concerts Were ‘Like a Concussion Every Time’<\/h3>\n
Billy Joel Albums Ranked <\/h2>\n