Billy Joel Opens Up About Brain Surgery and Recovery

Billy Joel has disclosed that he recently underwent brain surgery to treat normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a condition he was diagnosed with in May 2025. The 77-year-old musician shared the details during an appearance on SiriusXM's "Billy Joel Channel," explaining that doctors implanted a shunt in his brain to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid that had built up inside his skull and was pressing against his brain.

Joel described the initial symptoms that led him to seek medical help. "I noticed that my balance was not good," he 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."

The health concerns came to light publicly after Joel fell during a March 2025 performance at Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut, as reported by outlets including cleveland.com and MassLive. He later canceled his remaining tour dates, including a Madison Square Garden show, according to reports in the Chicago Tribune and The Mercury News.

The Decision to Have Surgery

Joel said that when doctors first recommended a shunt, he was initially reluctant. "I said, 'Well, what does that entail?' 'Well, we drill a hole through your skull and we stick a shunt inside your brain.' I said, 'Nah, I think I'll pass on that,'" he recalled, as quoted by PerthNow.

However, after researching the procedure, he changed his mind. "But then I read up on it and I realized it can help improve your balance and can help your memory," he said, according to NBC News. "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."

Joel said the procedure brought measurable improvements. "My memory got better, my balance got a little better, my ability to function was better," he said, as reported by multiple outlets including the Chicago Tribune and Variety.

Doctors Link Loud Performances to Brain Damage

A central part of Joel's account is what his doctors told him about the cause of his condition. "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," Joel said, as quoted by NBC News and Rolling Stone.

He elaborated: "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 got to improve."

According to a statement from Joel's team, as reported by Rolling Stone, "This 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."

Current Status and Message to Fans

Joel said he is following his doctors' advice, including avoiding stress and attending physical therapy. "They don't want me to stress too much, so I'm doing physical therapy," he said, as quoted by PerthNow. "I'm doing whatever it is they tell me to do because I don't want to lose it, you know?"

He also sought to reassure fans concerned about his health. "I know people have heard, 'Oh, he's got a brain disorder,' and I'm okay," he said, according to The Times of India. "I just want people to know, don't worry about me. I'm not going anywhere. I'm here. I'm still here."

Joel did not specify exactly when the surgery took place, as NBC News reported. He has not announced any new concert dates.

Understanding Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

According to the Cleveland Clinic, as cited by NBC News, normal pressure hydrocephalus is "a condition that happens when cerebrospinal fluid builds up inside your skull and presses on your brain." The condition is most likely to occur in people over age 65, and treatment typically involves surgery to implant a shunt to drain the excess fluid, according to the clinic. The NHS, cited by The daily Star and Daily Express, describes NPH as causing dementia-like symptoms. Joel's team's statement also noted that recent performances had worsened the condition, contributing to problems with hearing, vision, and balance, as reported by ThePrint.

Joel returned to the stage in January for a brief appearance with a tribute band, performing two songs, as reported by The daily Star and Daily Express. He has said doctors advised him not to do anything that will cause too much stress.