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Billy Joel was recently diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH), a brain disorder that causes fluid to accumulate in the brain’s ventricles. The singer was forced to cancel tour dates due to the condition, sharing a statement that read: "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."
Now, Joel's friend Howard Stern is giving fans an update on how he's doing after getting dinner with the Piano Man a couple weeks ago. “He’s doing fine,” Stern assured listeners of his radio show. “He does have issues, but he said, ‘Yeah, you can tell people, you know, I’m not dying.’ You know, he wants people to know that. He just, he’s gotta deal with some medical stuff, but he was delightful.”
According to the Cleveland Clinic, NPH is a condition that occurs when cerebrospinal fluid builds up inside the skull and presses on the brain. It tends to affect people 65 and older and is "often treatable and sometimes even reversible."
The 76-year-old musician's original statement continued to say that Joel is "thankful for the excellent care he is receiving and is fully committed to prioritizing his health. 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."