Billy Joel Says Playing Loud Rock Concerts May Have Damaged His Brain, Reveals Surgery Details

Turns out the same career that made Billy Joel a legend may also be the reason he ended up in surgery, according to what he revealed in a new interview.

Billy Joel opened up about the health condition that prompted him to cancel his tour, revealing in a recent interview on SiriusXM's The Billy Joel Channel that he underwent brain surgery after being diagnosed with the rare neurological condition.

Joel recalled initially feeling his balance was off. "I noticed that my balance was not good," he said, describing the feeling as “like being on a boat.”

A visit to a neurologist led to a diagnosis: normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a condition often referred to as "water on the brain."

Joel said he initially turned down the doctors’ recommendation to put a shunt in his brain to help manage his condition. The procedure involved drilling into his skull, so he told them, "I think I'll pass on that.”

But after learning the shunt could improve his memory and balance, he decided to go through with the surgery, which proved beneficial. Joel said there were noticeable results right after the procedure. His memory, balance, and overall ability to function had improved.

As to what caused his condition in the first place, Joel learned it was his job, particularly playing loud rock and roll music.

“It was giving me something like a concussion every time I did a show,” he explained. “It was causing damage to my brain nerves, and I could be losing more brain cells the more I played, the more shows I did.”

Joel’s commitment to getting better prompted him to step back from touring entirely for the time being. He’s doing physical therapy, heeding doctors’ instructions, and focusing on his recovery because, as he put it, “I don’t want to lose it.”

He also assured fans who worried about him that he’s fine. “I'm okay,” he said, adding, “I just want people to know, don't worry about me. I'm not going anywhere. I'm here. I'm still here."

Joel first revealed his diagnosis publicly in May 2025, when he announced in a statement on Instagram that he was canceling all upcoming concerts. He revealed he had NPH then and said the condition had been "exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance.”

He also apologized to fans directly. "I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding," he wrote at the time.

The announcement came just months after Joel fell during a concert in Montville, Connecticut. During the show in February 2025, he lost his balance after tossing his microphone mid-performance, then fell and landed on his side. He managed to get back up and finish the show, but fans expressed concern online, wondering about his health even before he publicized his diagnosis.