Billy Joel, 77, reveals he’s undergone brain surgery as he shares health update after rare diagnosis

BILLY Joel revealed he’s undergone brain surgery as he shared a health update after his rare diagnosis. In May last year the singer, 77, told fans that he had been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and cancelled all tour dates due to the condition. Billy Joel, 77, has revealed he’s undergone brain surgery as he shared a health update (pictured last year) Credit: Getty The singer pictured in 1977 Credit: Getty According to the NHS website, a hydrocephalus is a “build-up of fluid in the brain. The excess fluid puts pressure on the brain, which can damage it”, and NPH “usually develops in older people”. In a new update, the star has revealed that he’s undergone a procedure to help improve his symptoms. Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter Thank you! It was suggested to have a shunt (a thin tube) implanted in his brain to help drain excess fluid, and after originally not agreeing to it, he decided that it was the best option for him. Recalling the conversation with his neurologist with SiriusXM, Billy explained: “I said, ‘Nah, I think I’ll pass on that.’ After the surgery, he explained that his symptoms did improve Credit: Getty He explained that he originally didn’t want to go through with it Credit: Getty “I didn’t want to do that, but then I read up on it and I realised it can help improve your balance and can help your memory.” He added: “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 and it actually improved things.” After having the surgery, Billy explained: “My memory got better, my balance got a little better, my ability to function was better.” Most read in Showbiz He also went on to tell American broadcasting service that the health care professionals think that his diagnosis has something to do with his day job. Billy said: “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. “It was causing damage to my brain nerves and I could be losing more brain cells the more I played, the more shows I did.” Before sharing his diagnosis, Billy worried fans after he fell over on stage while performing. Last year he explained that he’d been diagnosed with “normal pressure hydrocephalus.” “This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance,” the statement read on social media. He’s had to go through physical therapy, and his doctors urged him to “stop performing while he recovers.” “Billy is thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health,” the announcement said. “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.” The Piano Man singer gave a heartfelt apology to fans for having to step away from performing. “I’m sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding,” he said. The cancellations came after Billy took a sudden tumble during a concert at the Mohegan Sun resort in Connecticut in February 2025. He was singing his hit It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me when he lost his footing and fell on his back, leading concerned band members to rush over to help. But after he was helped to regain his footing, brave Billy kept rocking on and finished his performance. 1 comment1