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Billy Joel revealed he successfully underwent brain surgery to treat normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) following his diagnosis with the rare condition last year.The 77-year-old singer – who is mourning best friend and bandmate Jon Small – detailed having a shunt implanted in his brain on the latest episode of his SiriusXM show The Billy Joel Channel.According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, normal pressure hydrocephalus occurs when excessive amounts of cerebrospinal fluid build up in brain cavities.Joel said he first noticed something was awry when his balance started to feel unsteady.'I had this sense of being on a boat, like this rocking motion. I wasn’t steady on my feet,' he remembered. 'I agreed to do the shunt and I had a surgery, and they implanted a shunt in my brain and it actually improved things,' the Piano Man hitmaker shared. 'My memory got better, my balance got a little better, my ability to function was better.' Billy Joel, 77, has revealed he successfully underwent brain surgery to treat normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH); pictured in February 2024 It comes after the longtime performer pulled the plug on his concerts in May 2025 following his diagnosis; pictured in February 2025It comes after the longtime performer pulled the plug on his concerts in May 2025 following his diagnosis. He assured fans on Wednesday's episode, 'I just want people to know, don’t worry about me. I’m not going anywhere. I’m here. I’m still here.'Looking back on the call to stop putting on shows, the star said medical professionals advised him to temporarily stop performing because of the impact it could have on his health.According to the acclaimed songwriter, doctors said performing was prompting 'something like a concussion every time I did a show' and that he 'could be losing more brain cells the more shows I did.'He explained, 'I realized that means I shouldn’t be doing this right now. I got to improve. 'They don’t want me to stress too much, so I’m doing physical therapy. I’m doing whatever it is they tell me to do.'In May 2025, a statement shared on Joel's Instagram account read: 'Billy Joel has announced that he will be cancelling all scheduled concerts following a recent diagnosis of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH).'This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance.' Joel said he first noticed something was awry when his balance started to feel unsteady; pictured in January Joel shares daughters Della, 11, and Remy, eight, with wife Alexis Roderick, 44; pictured in February 2024 Joel also shares Alexa, 40, with ex-wife Christie Brinkley; pictured in MarchThe note continued, 'Under his doctor’s instructions, Billy is undergoing specific physical therapy and has been advised to refrain from performing during this recovery period. 'Billy 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.'Joel shares daughters Della, 11, and Remy, eight, with wife Alexis Roderick, 44, whom he married in 2015. He also shares daughter Alexa, 40, with ex-wife Christie Brinkley, to whom he was wed from 1985-1994.
