Billy Joel revealed he can no longer perform or drive after being diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus, a rare brain disorder that impacts cognitive function, memory, and physical balance. The 77-year-old music icon disclosed his health update in an interview published Thursday by The Hollywood Reporter, explaining that he must undergo a series of comprehensive medical tests before doctors can determine whether he can ever take the stage again. The diagnosis has also forced him to make major adjustments to his daily routine, including auctioning off more than 70 motorcycles from his personal collection because he can no longer safely ride or drive on public roads.
Billy Joel Shares Heartbreaking Health & Performance Update
The Piano Man singer was originally diagnosed with the neurological condition in May 2025, when he officially canceled the remaining dates of his concert tour. That decision followed a series of postponed performances stemming from a fall Joel suffered on stage during a concert at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Montville, Connecticut, in March of that year. To help manage the fluid buildup inside his skull and improve his cognitive functioning, Joel underwent brain surgery last month to implant a medical shunt. Speaking on SiriusXM’s The Billy Joel Channel, he confirmed that the surgical procedure successfully improved his memory, balance, and overall physical mobility across his daily activities.
“I ended up having over a hundred motorcycles, and the truth is you can only ride one at a time,” the “Uptown Girl” singer said. “I’m into my 70s now, and I realized I can’t ride as much as I used to.”
“I don’t want to die like a bug on a windshield,” he added. “So I thought I’d put a lot of them on auction.”
The Grammy Award winner noted that his normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) diagnosis “makes driving a little bit iffy,” so he “realized it’s time for me to turn it over to somebody else.”
“I love motorcycles. I love biking. I love driving. I love the anonymity of it,” Joel said. “And I love the customization of these bikes, the modifications, the messing around with things. I was not a collector. I was actually a rider. So I figured it was just time to let it go.”
“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 surgery, and they implanted a shunt in my brain, and it actually improved things,” he said on SiriusXM’s The Billy Joel Channel
He also shared he was continuing to go to physical therapy and closely following his doctors’ advice.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he stated. “I’m here. I’m still here.”
Despite the positive results from his recent brain surgery, Joel’s medical team strictly advised him against resuming live concert performances due to the intense physical toll of stadium shows. Neurologists informed the Grammy Award winner that the extreme volume, bright stage lighting, and overall physical stress of performing live created conditions equivalent to suffering a concussion during every single concert. Joel acknowledged that decades of loud performances had already caused hearing loss, forcing him to accept his doctors’ recommendations while he continues physical therapy and undergoes further neurological evaluations over the coming months.
While his touring career remains on an indefinite hiatus, Joel remains determined to follow his recovery program in hopes of eventually returning to the stage for his fans. He emphasized that he continues to follow his physicians’ instructions closely while staying active in his ongoing physical therapy routines. Although he has turned over his cherished motorcycle collection to new owners and stepped away from live concerts for now, the legendary singer reassured his global fanbase that he remains focused on his health and looks forward to future medical updates regarding his ability to perform live again.
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