Billy Joel breaks silence on brain disorder diagnosis after cancelled concerts: 'It was scary, but I'm OK'

Billy Joel wants his fans to know he’s on the mend.

In May, the legendary “Piano Man” shocked fans by canceling all his upcoming North American and UK concerts after being diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus—a rare brain disorder causing fluid buildup that affects hearing, vision, balance, memory, and movement, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

“I know a lot of people are worried about me and my health, but I’m OK,” Joel told People magazine. “What I have is something very few people know about, including me, no matter how much you try to research it. I’m doing my best to work with it and to recover from it.”

“I know a lot of people are worried about me and my health, but I’m OK,” Joel told People magazine. “What I have is something very few people know about, including me, no matter how much you try to research it. I’m doing my best to work with it and to recover from it.”

“It was scary, but I’m OK,” the 76-year-old musician added. “I just wanted to let people know, don’t worry about me being deathly ill or anything.”

On comedian Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast, Joel shared more, saying, “My balance sucks. It’s like being on a boat... They keep referring to what I have as a brain disorder, so it sounds a lot worse than what I’m feeling.”

He also noted that while his health issues aren’t “fixed,” he’s still working on recovery.

Back in March, Joel announced he had surgery and was undergoing physical therapy, with doctors optimistic about a full recovery—though it’s unclear if those issues were related to his current diagnosis.

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus can cause difficulty walking, bladder control problems, and cognitive decline, worsening without treatment. It’s rare and often tricky to diagnose, but surgery to drain excess fluid along with physical therapy can offer relief and improved quality of life.

Fans can breathe a little easier knowing the iconic singer is facing his health challenges head-on.

(With inputs from AP)