Billy Joel Cancels All Concerts After Brain Disorder Diagnosis

Billy Joel has canceled all of his upcoming tour dates, with a total of 17 shows in North America and the UK postponed due to his recent diagnosis of sulfur dioxide.

"The condition has been exacerbated by recent concerts, resulting in hearing, vision and balance issues," Joel's band said in a statement. "In accordance with his doctor's instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to avoid exercise during this recovery. Billy is grateful for the care he has received and is committed to putting his health first."

"I sincerely apologize for disappointing my viewers and thank you for your understanding," Joel said in a statement.

High blood pressure is a condition that causes plaques to build up in the cerebral cortex. “[It] can affect a number of brain-related abilities, including thinking and attention, memory, movement and more,” says a description on the Cleveland Clinic website. “The symptoms of NPH are similar to those of dementia, although NPH can sometimes be cured.”

The final Yule concert will be held on February 22 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Kentucky. Towards the end of the show, he fell backwards after throwing his microphone at the cast. But he quickly got up and finished the set.

A month later, Joel announced that he was taking a four-month break from his career due to the “medical” need for surgery and physical therapy. He will return to the stage in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on July 5. “I regret having to postpone any plans, but my health must come first,” he said in a statement to the Observer. “I look forward to getting back on stage and enjoying the joy of performing with our amazing fans. Thank you for your understanding.”

It was not clear at the time whether his medical issues were related to the pressure in his head. The disorder affects about 0.2 percent of people over the age of 70 and causes difficulty walking, difficulty urinating, and cognitive impairment. It is usually treated with surgery, where a device called a shunt is inserted to drain the fluid.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, “NPH is unique among conditions such as dementia because of its reversible nature.” “However, the condition is much more treatable with early diagnosis and treatment. Delays in diagnosis and treatment can result in permanent brain damage rather than permanent disability, severe disability, or both.”

Joel, 76, is set to end his decade-long reign at Madison Square Garden in July 2024. In the months since, he has continued to tour the United States and England, playing twice a year. He hasn't released a new song since 1993's River of Dreams, but in February 2024, he collaborated with songwriter-producer Freddie Wexler on the single "Bring the Lights Back." The song was performed at the Grammys that month and charted several times, but the single was dropped in June and never resurfaced.

Despite the lack of new films, Joel is one of the world's most famous touring actors. His planned summer tour includes performances at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field in New York City, as well as at a meatpacking facility in East Rutherford, New York. Tickets for all shows are refundable.

William Martin Joel (born May 9, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Nicknamed "Piano Man" after the 1973 hit song of the same name, Joel has had a successful career as a solo artist since the 1970s. From 1971 to 1993, he released 12 studio albums spanning the pop and rock genres, and in 2001, he released a studio album of classical works. With over 160 million records sold worldwide, Joel is one of the best-selling music artists in the world[6] and the fourth best-selling solo artist in the United States. His 1985 compilation album, Greatest Hits – Volume I & Volume II, is one of the best-selling albums in the United States.

Joel was born in the Bronx, New York City, and raised in Hicksville, Long Island, where he began learning the piano at the urging of his mother. After dropping out of high school to pursue a career in music, Joel participated in two short-lived bands, The Hassles and Attila, before signing with Joel Family Productions and launching a solo career with his first album, Cold Spring Harbor (1971). In 1972, Joel caught the attention of Columbia Records after a live performance on the popular "Captain Jack" radio show in Philadelphia, which prompted him to sign a new recording contract with the company, where he released his second album, Piano Man (1973). Following Streetlife Serenade (1974) and Turnstiles (1976), Joel achieved critical and commercial breakthrough with The Stranger (1977). It became Columbia's best-selling release, selling over 10 million copies and spawning the hit singles "Just the Way You Are", "Moving Out (Anthony's Song)", "Only the Good Die Young", and "She's Always a Woman", as well as the albums "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" and "Vienna".