Musical legend Billy Joel announced Friday that he is canceling all tour dates and revealed he has been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a condition that affects hearing, vision and balance.
Why Did Billy Joel Cancel His Tour?
The “Piano Man” fell on stage at the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Connecticut on February 22 during a performance.
At one point during the show, Joel got up from his piano and started playing with the microphone stand while performing “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me.” Toward the end of the song, he grabbed the stand and flung it in the air but appeared to lose his balance, ending up on the ground.
In a statement released shortly after the incident, Joel said he expected to make a full recovery and that he would resume his tour on July 5 in Pittsburgh.
Joel wrote: “While I regret postponing any shows, my health must come first. I look forward to getting back on stage and sharing the joy of live music with our amazing fans. Thank you for your understanding.”
He initially postponed his tour dates as he underwent treatment but now has canceled all dates.
How Is Billy Joel Doing?
In a statement posted on Instagram, Joel, 76, announced the cancellation of his tour and his condition, saying in the statement that it has been exacerbated by recent performances. This has caused problems with hearing, vision and balance, according to the statement.
Joel will undergo “specific physical therapy,” and his doctor has advised him to refrain from performing during his recovery.
Joel said: “I’m sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding.” He also expressed gratitude for all the support from his fans he has received and remains optimistic that he will return to the stage at some point.
The statement included information about ticket refunds, which will happen automatically in light of the news. This includes his summer dates in New York City, as well as performances in New Orleans; Washington, D.C.; and international stops such as Toronto, Edinburgh and Liverpool.
What Is Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus?
According to John Hopkins Medicine, NPH is a brain disorder that can cause problems with mobility and balance, and sometimes complications with mood and thinking.
Some more extreme symptoms include forgetfulness and confusion, depression, difficulty responding to questions and loss of bladder control.
It is a brain disorder that can disrupt and damage nearby brain tissue if left untreated. Sometimes it can be treated with a surgical insertion of a shunt to drain excess fluid.
The condition primarily affects people in their 60s and 70s, and the hydrocephalus association estimates that nearly 700,000 adults suffer from it.
What Causes NPH?
In some cases, the condition is caused by other brain disorders or trauma caused by either an injury or an infection, but in most cases it is an idiopathic condition, meaning the cause is unknown.
Diagnosis can prove tricky but often requires a physical exam as well as brain scans and potentially a spinal tap.
NPH occurs when excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain’s ventricles. The fluid plays an important role in providing nutrients to the brain and clearing out waste products. The fluid surrounds the brain and keeps it cushioned and protected from the skull.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, adults normally produce about 5 fluid ounces a day—less than half a soda can—that your body normally and regularly reabsorbs.
When the body doesn’t properly process the fluid, it can gradually build up and create pressure inside the skull, though not enough that it causes severe and immediate concern.
At a certain point, when there is too much fluid, it starts to compress the brain, causing the various symptoms. Only if the compression lasts too long would the symptoms become permanent and the brain could suffer serious damage.
Can NPH Be Cured?
The condition builds up over time but can be treated through surgery. Doctors would introduce a shunt into a ventricle of the brain and pass through to the abdomen so excess fluid can drain into the body and be reabsorbed.
Following the process, the brain can resume its previous state and the shunt will remain in place as long as there is too much of the fluid in the brain.
Not everyone benefits from the shunt, but early diagnosis and treatment increases the chances of a full recovery.
What Happens Next
Joel will continue to receive treatment and therapy, with plans to eventually return to the stage and tour again.
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